Sidley conceded an early own goal in the 4th minute to put them on the back foot early on in this game, as a long diagonal ball sailed over the Wadhurst forward, only to be steered into the net by defender Ian May.
One became two in the 16th minute as a Wadhurst forward was allowed to get between two Sidley defenders to volley home from 6 yards out. However, Sidley worked their way back into the game, pulling a goal back in the 23rd minute with some neat passing football and a cool finish by James Bailey.
A smart save by 'keeper Adam Skelton in the 44th minute meant that Sidley were still in the game at the break. Playing down the slope in the second half, hopes were high that Sidley could still get a positive result from this game. And, indeed, early pressure forced a series of corners, none of which, however, Sidley were able to take advantage of. Chasing the game, Sidley left themselves vulnerable to the counter-attack, and on 58 minutes Wadhurst scored a third. Another good save by Sidley's keeper just a minute later stopped Wadhurst extending their lead.
A Wadhurst player was then booked for a late challenge on James Bailey, which left the Sidley striker with a nasty gash on the side of the calf. Despite trying to play on, it soon became clear that he was unable to continue and had to be substituted, with Harry Burchette replacing him. In fact, Bailey had been persistently fouled since the start of the game and was entitled to expect better protection from a referee who seemed reluctant to get his cards out. Eventually, he booked another Wadhurst player for a bad tackle, and then Sidley's Adam Day for one complaint too many.
A fourth Wadhurst goal in the 80th minute put the result beyond dispute as Sidley legs tired on the heavy pitch. All in all, a disappointing game from a Sidley point of view, with a slow start putting us on the back foot early on and a lack of energy in the second half meaning little in the way of goal threat. The absence of key players such as Mark Funnell, Lee Short and Kevin Rose was clearly noticed, though credit must be given to those players who were on show and worked hard for the team
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Sidley Team: Skelton, May, Cochrane, Chandler (Le Beau), Holland, Day, Briscoe, Sanderson, Miles, Bailey (Burchette), Walker.
