Results Saturday 1st October

[blueboybird]

Sidley United 3 - 2 Westfield II - ESFL Premier Division

Sidley United scored three second half goals to overturn a half time deficit and claim their first home win of the season.

The game ran into trouble prior to kick off with the scheduled referee failing to attend and so, with Westfield in agreement, a Sidley official stepped in to take charge of the game.

The first half was an even contest as Blues, with new signing Jamie Crone up front, struggled to create chances against a youthful Westfield side. Westfield looked to exploit pace down the wings and they had the best chance of the first half hour, with a cross from the left steered wide of Rogers' far post.

The visitors took the lead on 35 minutes as an initial offside was not given and the Westfield striker lifted the ball over Rogers and into the net.

Half time seemed to galvanise Sidley though and they equalised with a spectacular strike. On 55 minutes Ashley Elphick picked the ball up 25 yards out and unleashed a thunderous effort which flew past the goalkeeper and high into the net.

Sidley then took the lead on 58 minutes. A free kick was awarded for handball and Gary Hempe placed his effort into the top corner to give Sidley the lead.

With their tails up Blues pressed for a third and were rewarded on 74 minutes as a ball in from the left found substitute James Bailey who controlled and finished cooly from 12 yards out.

But Westfield scored on 89 minutes as they beat the Sidley offisde trap and the striker lifted his effort over Rogers to set up a nervy finale.

And there was still time for more tense moments as Rogers had to make a good save with his legs deep into stoppage time but Sidley held on for the points to move into the top half of the table.

Sidley Team: Rogers, May, Hempe, Copley, Eldridge, Carey (Cole), Day, O'Callaghan, Elphick (Bailey), Roberts (Scrace), Crone.