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Battling Blues beaten by last minute drama

Mountfield United 3 - 2 Sidley United - Division One

Sidley United must be up for contention for the title of 'world's unluckiest team' after succumbing to defeat in an extraordinary final minute.

Blues started the better of the two sides against their table topping opponents on an awful pitch and twice hit the woodwork. First a cross from the right which George Carroll got on the end of saw the goalkeeper parry the ball onto the bar and from the resulting corner Mark Funnell headed against the post before it was cleared.

However, kicking downhill Mountfield took the lead on 27 minutes as a ball across evaded the defenders and from the wide right position the Mountfield forward finished smartly. The second Mountfield goal was embarrassingly easy as the goalkeeper kicked the ball forward and too many Sidley players watched the ball travel through to the Mountfield striker who slotted past Skelton simply.

Despite being 2 - 0 down at the break, Sidley had played the better football and continued to press after the break. Anthony Briscoe did well on the right and his cross towards Carroll was diverted into his own net by a Mountfield defender on 69 minutes to give Sidley fresh hope.

And the bulk of the drama occurred in the dying seconds. Sidley were awarded a penalty in the 91st minute when Will Dunstall was brought down by the goalkeeper and Adam Day calmly converted to bring the scores deservedly level.

But incredibly, in the final 30 seconds of the match a long ball forward saw Skelton come out to catch but the ball took a bizarre bounce and looped over him, presenting the home forward a tap in to steal victory.

Sidley's performance deserved more today, who for the bulk of the match were the better side on a truly tough pitch and if they can keep that level of performance going forward, surely the tide will turn soon.

Sidley team: Skelton, Walker (Foord), May, Rose (Ball), T Funnell, Day, Sanderson, Rankin (Briscoe), Dunstall, Carroll, M Funnell.

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