Latest News

Rose brace secures vital home win

A brace from defender-cum-forward Kevin Rose overturned a 1 - 0 deficit to give Sidley United a vital 2 - 1 win over Lancing on Thursday night.

Blues started well and had a few half opportunities but Rose saw a header parried and Matt Darby elected to try and pass across goal rather than shoot after latching onto a good through ball from Sean Ray, making a one-off Sidley appearance.

Against the run of play, Lancing took the lead in the 44th minute as a good move down the left saw the ball swept in low by Will Berry. That was cruel on Sidley who probably shaded the first half but went in at the break behind.

Kicking down the slope in the second half, Sidley made a good start and seemed certain to equalise but chance after chance went begging. First a Payne header from a few yards out was incredibly blocked on the goalline and another deflected effort soon after also was stopped just before crossing the line. But Sidley's persistance and a formation shift paid off.

As Rose moved from defence to up front, Chris Agutter unleashed a ferocious effort which crashed back off the bar straight to Rose and he slammed home on 72 minutes to equalise. And on 84 minutes Ray got on the end of a corner and as the goalkeeper parried Rose slid home to put Sidley in front.

In a dramatic last few minutes Rose was through one on one but didn't get enough on his chip to seal the game and Lancing hit the crossbar deep into stoppage time but Sidley held out for a vital victory which lifts the Blues 4 points clear of the drop zone.

A good team performance which if we can replicate in every game to the end of the season, should see us safe. A big win for the Blues.

Sidley Team: Nessling, Cooper, Rea (Hales), Rose, Ray, Agutter, Martin, Boyd, M Darby, Taylor (Brown), Payne (A Darby)

Click here to return to the News page