Cruikshank off as Blues miss opportunity
(January 07, 2012)
Sidley United missed a good opportunity to score some points as they lost 1 - 0 to Peacehaven & Telscombe in a match that finished 10 a side.
Blues gave a debut to Chris Gould, signed this week from AFC Uckfield but they started slowly and were under pressure for most of the opening 20 minutes. But they grew into the game and could have gone in at the break in front as Casey Ham fired wide right on the whistle.
A key moment came with 15 minutes to go. A long kick upfield from the home goalkeeper saw Josh Willis and a Peacehaven forward slide for the ball. Willis got their first and the forward was adjuged to have left his studs in and was promptly shown a second yellow card. Willis contiuned but was visibly struggling.
With a man advantage though Sidley failed to make the best of the opportunity. Bryce Masters lost the ball in the midfield and Peacehaven broke down the right, the ball cut back and the shot going underneath Willis, who couldn't get down quickly enough. Bird and McMinigal came on but it was all too late as Peacehaven were content to play the ball in the corner.
To compound Sidley's misery, Dan Cruikshank was then harshly sent off when he picked up a second yellow for handball when a Peacehaven forward smashed the ball at him from close range.
A disappointing result which doesn't really give Sidley what they deserve from the game.
Better news for the Reserves though who came from 2 - 0 down to draw 3 - 3 at home to Eastbourne United Reserves.
Sidley Team: Willis, Chandler, Mote, Farrier (Bird), Cruikshank, Masters, C McDonald, Lusted (McMinigal), Taylor, Gould, Ham (Hole)
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