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Blues pick up first win of season

Punnetts Town 1 - 2 Sidley United - ESFL Premier Division 

Sidley United picked up their first win of the season with a come from behind victory at Punnetts Town. 

The home team started well and produced some excellent attractive football. However with Darrell Shaw organising and marshalling the defence, Sidley reduced Punnetts to only a handful of chances.

On 30 minutes a mistimed tackle from Archie Ball gave the home side a penalty although Sidley were reprieved when the forward steered his effort wide of the post. Some excellent goalkeeping from Richie Gray kept Punnetts at bay until the home side were awarded another penalty on 42 minutes as Ash Carey was penalised for a handball whilst protecting his face.

Gray made another great stop to tip the penalty onto the crossbar only to see the ball drop for the Punnetts Town player to follow up and score as the home side went in at the break a goal to the good.

Some half time formation changes to the shape of the team saw Sidley lining up in a 4-3-3 in the second half and the Blues still had the belief they were still in the game.

Punnetts continued to create chances but every time they were denied by the determination of Gray as well as Ash Carey and Gary Hempe throwing their bodies in the way of all the shots and crosses. 

On 60 minutes the Blues introduced Will Witham to add energy and bite into the midfield and they started to grow into the game, creating a few half chances. In the 80th minute young striker Logan Copley was rewarded for his tireless work rate as he ran onto a threw ball, held off the defender and slotted home to make the score 1- 1.

This inspired Sidley who then amazingly went on to win the game. With Punnetts pushing forward looking to score their second goal, a swift counter attack saw Copley outwit the fullback and goalkeeper to score from a tight angle.

Punnetts continued to push but the Sidley defence held firm to take all three points. A terrific result for our new inexperienced side who showed unity, belief and togetherness to earn the result.

Next week Sidley are back at Hooe Rec as they welcome Westfield II.

Sidley Team: Gray, Carey, D, Shaw, Hempe, Haffenden, Ball, Hilder, Sam, Bailey, Kryeziu, Copley. Subs: Witham, Britt, O, Shaw. 

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