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Late Battle goals sink Blues

Sidley United 0 - 2 Battle Baptists - ESFL Premier Division

A contentious late penalty helped Battle Baptists to move top of the table with a 2 - 0 win over Sidley United.

On a slippery pitch, the first half passed by with relatively little goalmouth action with both sides enjoying a couple of half chances but failing to seriously test either goalkeeper.

In the second period Sidley had one or two moments of promise but couldn't find an end product while Battle looked similarly unlikely to make a decisive breakthrough.

However on 75 minutes a low cross into the box struck the arm of Chris Copley who was in close proximity and the referee, perhaps influenced by recent similarly contentious penalty awards in the Premiership, chose to point to the spot. Dale Vinall stepped up calmly to send Rogers the wrong way and put Battle in front. 

The Blues looked to respond but failed to really test the visiting goalkeeper and Battle made sure of the points in the 86th minute as a low cross in from the left found Trystan Mayhew who guided the ball in at the near post.

A disappointing start to the new year for the Blues who turn their attention now to the Quarter Finals of the Sussex FA Intermediate Cup next weekend when they will entertain the league leaders of the West Sussex Football League, Angmering Seniors.

Sidley Team: Rogers, May, Funnell, Copley, Cole, Elliott-Noye, Wells, Scrace, Elphick (Miller), Uttley (Bailey), Baldwin (Robb).

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