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Battle come from behind to take the points

Sidley United 1 - 3 Battle Baptists - ESFL Premier Division 

Sidley United failed to build on an early lead as second placed Battle Baptists came from behind to beat them for a second time this season.

Blues started a less than fully fit Chris Copley between the posts with regular goalkeeper Joe Rogers continuing in a central midfield berth.

However they started strongly and took the lead on 10 minutes as James Bailey got on the end of a free kick from Micky O'Callaghan to score. Both teams were committed to playing attacking football as the rain began to fall.

Battle equalised on 39 minutes as they were awarded a penalty for what the referee deemed to be a pull in the area and Dale Vinall converted to level the scores at the break.

Sidley began the second half well with sustained pressure, albeit without creating clear goal scoring opportunities. However they fell behind on 62 minutes as a slack pass at the back allowed Finlay Garlick to nip in and put Baptists in front.

Blues pushed forward looking for the equaliser and they went close through Ashley Elphick's close range header which was well saved. But again too many misplaced passes and poor choices contributed to the third Baptists goal as a cross from the left was headed past Copley by Trystan Mayhew on 79 minutes.

Sidley pressed after that but rarely looked like scoring and were left to rue the mistakes which make the difference in tight matches at this level. They will need to improve in that department if they are to become the first side to take something from leaders Hollington United next weekend. 

Sidley Team: Copley, Hempe (Cannon), O'Callaghan, Cole, Eldridge, Carey, Brockhurst, Rogers, Scrace, Elphick, Bailey.

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