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Blues kick off campaign with a win

Holland Sports 0 - 3 Sidley United - MSFL Premier Division

Sidley United kicked off the new MSFL season with a 3 - 0 win away to newly promoted Holland Sports.

The Blues fielded a number of new signings and began with positivity, controlling possesion and pressing the home side. However it was at the other end that the first flashpoint occurred as on 12 minutes Sidley won the ball back in their own third and Holland Sports' George Smith landed a stamp on a Blues player, earning himself a straight red card in the process.

This would stengthen Sidley's control of the game, even though Nathan Crabb was forced off with a knock, but it was the home side who had a glorious chance to strike the first blow when they were awarded a controversial penalty on 26 minutes when Phil Hawkins was adjudged to have fouled a Sports player despite clearly punching the ball away before they collided. However Sidley were reprieved when the resulting spot kick was steered wide of the post.

The home side had to change their goalkeeper who picked up an injury before Sidley broke through on 38 minutes. Charlie Cornford did well to beat his man and get to the byline on the left before rolling the ball across for Paul Rogers to turn home from close range.

A goal and a man up at the break, Sidley would strengthen their grip on the game just 2 minutes into the second half when a corner from the right found Sam Crabb unmarked to turn the ball home.

Crabb would then go on to hit the woodwork twice more before Sidley finally put the game to bed when Rogers finished from outside the area on 81 minutes. A good late save by Hawkins ensured the Blues kept a clean sheet and stated the new campaign in perfect fashion.

The Sidley Man of the Match was Louis Walker. The Blues travel to Eastbourne Rangers next Saturday. 

Sidley Team: Hawkins, S Crabb, McCue, Walker, Elliott-Noye, Ellis, Carey, Baldwin, Cumming-Bart, N Crabb, Rogers. Subs: Cornford, Foster, Elphick. 

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