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Cup final despair as late goal sinks Blues

Hollington United 1 - 0 Sidley United - Hastings FA Intermediate Cup Final

Sidley United suffered late heartbreak as a Chris Copley own goal was enough for Hollington United to clinch the cup.

On another very hot afternoon Sidley were forced to play in luminous yellow due to the referee deeming there to be a kit clash. A couple of efforts from Gary Hempe showed warning to the league leaders. 

But after Ian May picked up an early injury and had to be replaced Hollington grew more into the game with their biggest danger coming down the right hand side but on the few occasions when they did get into dangerous positions the final shot found the side netting. 

Sidley then created the best chance of the half as Arron Scrace was played through and from just inside the right of the penalty area his shot cannoned back off the crossbar with the Hollington goalkeeper beaten. 

After the interval it was Sidley who again created the best opportunities as Sean Baldwin was twice inches away from meeting dangerous balls into the box. 

The game seemed destined to go to extra time but with 3 minutes to go Sidley were hit by a sucker punch. A Hollington forward got to the byline and his ball in towards Jan Bailey hit the leg of Copley and wrong footed Joe Rogers as it rolled into the back of the net. 

There was still time for the Hollington goalkeeper to deny Baldwin an equaliser as Sidley pushed for a route back into the game but Hollington held on to lift the trophy. 

A tough one to take after such a positive performance but Sidley must rally quickly as they travel to basement side Crowhurst on Monday. 

Sidley Team: Rogers, May (Day), Hempe, Funnell, Copley, Cole, Hill, Elphick (Scott), Garman (Bailey), Scrace, Baldwin. 

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