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Sidley claim Robertsbridge draw to go third

Sidley United 1 - 1 Robertsbridge United - ESFL Premier Division 

Sidley United moved up to third in the table with a 1 - 1 draw against Robertsbridge United thanks to Lee Roberts second half equaliser.

Blues were unlucky not to be in front after just 3 minutes as a free kick from the left found Ben Eldridge but his first time shot cannoned off the crossbar.  

Robertsbridge dangerman Guy Ballard was booked for kicking the ball away before flashing an effort just wide from the edge of the area.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play on 28 minutes. Lee Mansfield went in to a challenge with Sidley goalkeeper Joe Rogers, who felt he had two hands on the ball. Mansfield got up quickest to slot home and Rogers was booked for arguing his case a little too much. 

Blues again went close to levelling before the break as James Bailey's cross-cum-shot came back off the post and Chris Sanderson sliced the rebound wide.

The visitors sat deep in the second half looking to protect their lead and it seemed as if that tactic might have succeeded as Arron Scrace had an effort hooked off the line and several goalmouth scrambles were cleared with some last minute blocks.

But with 10 minutes to go Bailey raced onto a ball forward and poked the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper. The covering defender, in his attempt to clear the ball from the goalline, could only strike it against the incoming Lee Roberts and into the net for Sidley to equalise.

Roberts then suffered a serious looking injury to his leg and Blues had to play the last few minutes with 10 men. However they still kept coming forward searching for the winner but were unable to find it and had to settle for their first draw of the season. 

Sidley Team: Rogers, Cole, Day, Brockhurst, Eldridge, Sanderson, O'Callaghan, Elphick, Roberts, Scrace, Bailey.

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