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Ball the hero as Blues claim vital win

Sidley United 3 - 2 Bexhill Town - ESFL Premier Division 

Archie Ball was the hero as Sidley United struck a late winner to claim a huge three points and move up a place in the ESFL Premier Division. 

The bottom two sides came into this game knowing this was a huge match for both but it was Sidley who looked the stronger with Town strikers all too often unable to stay onside. It was a moment of fortune though that put Sidley in front as Simon Corke attempted a cross from the left, mis-hit it and it looped right over the Town goalkeeper and into the net on 25 minutes. 

Town were then further shocked as Sidley doubled the lead a minute later. A ball in from the right was deflected into the air by a defender for Ball to head home his first of the afternoon. Sidley were in the ascendancy but their bad habits of conceding penalties emerged again as Gary Hempe brought down a striker in the box and Jake Hemsley squeezed the spot kick under stand-in goalkeeper Harvey Jack on 35 minutes. 

The game was still there for both sides at half time but Town drew level with another penalty on 54 minutes as Callum Sheriff brought down former Blue Will Witham and again Hemsley converted to bring the sides level.

Neither team was prepared to settle for the draw though, both pushing forward but it was Sidley who struck on 75 minutes as Ball played a neat one-two to get in on goal and poke the ball underneath the onrushing goalkeeper to restore Sidley's lead.

And this time they managed to hold onto it as they defended resiliently to claim the points and move above Hawkhurst United ahead of the game against them next Saturday where the Blues will be targeting three more points.

Sidley Team: Jack, May, Hempe, C Sherriff, Eldridge, Burgon, J Sherriff, Croucher, Wade, Corke, Ball. Subs: O'Callaghan, Mote.

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