Results 11/04/15

[blueboybird]

Bexhill AAC 2 - 4 Sidley United - ESFL Division One

Before the report, a moment to compose and ponder that this will be (if Geoff keeps to his word) my last ever match report on Nomad. Over the years we may have had our goalposts lowered (metaphorically, but also literally!) but we keep plugging away. It's been a blast and I shall miss it here (even if no other bugger posts!) I suppose I could have picked a worse match to go out on so here it is...

Sidley United signed off their season with a 5th straight win as they came from behind to beat title hopefuls Bexhill AAC.

Sidley went behind in the 11th minute as Lee Roberts was allowed to turn and shoot and his low shot was too powerful for Skelton in the Sidley goal. However Sidley levelled on 26 minutes as James Bailey was played through on goal and his shot across goal found the corner of the net.

There was then a controversial moment which would have a big impact on the rest of the match in the 32nd minute. After a decision went against him the Bexhill AAC striker made a comment to the linesman, who brought it to the attention of the referee. The outcome was a straight red card with the referee deeming the comment to be foul and abusive language and Sidley suddnely had a man advantage.

They made that advantage count right at the start of the second half as a flowing move down the right saw Ian May's cross find the head of George Carroll who powerfully headed high into the net to give Sidley the lead. They had most of the play and went close from a couple of free kicks before Bexhill equalised in the 69th minute with a quick break and a cross turned in at the back post to restore parity.

But Sidley quickly restored their lead as an Aaron Cochrane corner was glanced into the net by Mark Funnell on 73 minutes.

Bexhill, sensing they needed a result to maintain their title charge, came forward bravely, sometimes leaving themselves exposed and the game was in the balance until the 88th minute when Cochrane beat the offside trap with a well timed run before emphatically volleying past the Bexhill goalkeeper to seal the win.

Sidley have now completed their season and will hope that this late season form will carry over into the next campaign, when hopefully with this year's experience and some quality additions can help the club compete at the top end of the table.

Sidley team: Skelton, May, Walker, Foord, Funnell, Bailey, Sanderson, Day, Bailey (Briscoe), Cochrane (Holland), Miles.

Unknown if this will be my final ever Nomad post - but if it is, I wish you and your respective clubs luck for the future. It seems grassroots football is more under attack than ever from the FA bigwigs (even County league has had to cave on their name) and football at this level appear harder and harder to maintain. So, I hope that you other county league clubs, players and committee members stay strong and that our footballing paths may cross in the future. All the best.