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Missed chances costly as Blues out in extra time

Sidley United 1 - 3 Crowhurst AET- Hastings FA Junior Cup

Sidley United were left to rue a string of missed chances as Crowhurst booked their place in the semi finals of this cup with an extra time win.

With a bitter crosswind blowing across the pitch, the opening 20 minutes was a fairly dull affair but slowly Sidley began to take control of the game, creating a number of chances with Ashley Elphick and Lee Roberts going closest. The Crows struggled to create and it took until the 44th minute for them to have their first shot at goal. However despite their dominance it looked like it could be a frustrating day for Sidley as they went to half time level.

However they took just 18 seconds of the second half to go in front. Elphick did well to win the ball high up the pitch and the return ball in to him was fired high into the net to give Blues a deserved lead.

Elphick then went close to getting his 2nd as he was played in again but his shot was parried by the goalkeeper onto the bar in what proved to be an important save.

Crowhurst levelled on 53 minutes as a corner into the Sidley box was not dealt with and Jordan Turner tapped home unopposed at the far post. The goal rattled Sidley for around 10 minutes as they lost the composure they had shown for most of the match.

However with the fresh legs of James Bailey and Arron Scrace on, Blues still created chances and almost won it right at the death as Scrace hit the post with a shot across the goalkeeper before it was scrambled away and so the game went to extra time.

But it was ultimately a poor first half of the extra period that cost Blues. On 93 minutes a Crowhurst free kick was headed on and into the path of Steven McGowan who finished low past Rogers to give Crows the lead. And things got worse shortly after as Sidley gave the ball away in midfield and after an attempted clearance struck McGowan, he again finished calmly to put Crows in command.

In the second period Sidley again made chances but a combination of the Crows goalkeeper and some wayward finishing kept them at bay as Crowhurst progressed to the semi finals.

Whilst a disappointing extra time performance cost the team, Sidley had enough chances in the 90 minutes to win the game and must be more clinical if they are to enjoy success in the big games coming up.

Sidley Team: Rogers, Godden (Funnell), May, Aston, Copley, Cochrane (Scrace), Sanderson, Elphick (Bailey), Corke, Roberts.

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