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Late collapse sees Sandhurst claim opening day win

Sidley United 2 - 5 Sandhurst - ESFL Premier Division

It was an opening day defeat for the Blues who blew a lead in a calamitous 10 minute end to the game as Sandhurst came away from Hooe Rec with all 3 points on the opening day.

It was the worst possible start for the Blues as Sandhurst struck after just 38 seconds; flimsy challenges presented the chance for the ball to be crossed in to Rob Briley who struck past Ritchie Gray to give the visitors the lead,

The Blues took some time to warm up but they levelled on 31 minutes as a long ball forward found Andy Atkin who flicked the ball on to Archie Ball to finish well past the Sandhurst goalkeeper. Both teams battled as the sides went in level at the break.

In the second period, Sidley seemed to have a bit more measure of the game and took the lead on 66 minutes. With a Sandhurst defender late coming out, the Blues found themselves in front of goal and Zak Dangerfield beat the goalkeeper to the bouncing ball to head into the net and give the home side the lead.

A goal ahead and with 10 minutes to go, the game was in Sidley's hand. But rather than Sandhurst wrestling it away from them, it was more a case that Sidley threw it away themselves. On 80 minutes Sandhurst levelled when the ball was played across to Harry Morrell on the right hand side with Gray choosing to come out of his goal to meet him; allowing Morrell a simple task to slot the ball past him and into the net.

Worse was to come a few minutes later as Sidley failed to deal with a ball forward and James Found struck low past Gray to give the visitors the lead. And then as the game entered stoppage time, Sidley conceded another 2 poor goals with defensive errors at the heart of the end result.

A disappointing start to the season for the Blues who must now pick themselves up and look to pick up a result next Saturday as they travel to Bexhill A.A.C.

Sidley Team: Gray, May, Hempe, Burgeon, Geoghan, Carey, Witham, Bossom, Wade, Ball, Atkin. Subs: Bradbury, Dangerfield, Eldridge, Corke, Croucher.

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