Sidley United 1 - 0 J.C. Tackleway - 16th January 2016

[blueboybird]

Sidley United 1 - 0 The J.C Tackleway - ESFL Division One

A John Carey strike right at the end of the first half settled this tight league encounter and ensured Sidley made it a perfect 10 wins out of 10.
Having not played for over a month, both sides found it difficult to get rhythm into their game on a sticky pitch but the visitors began assuredly despite losing some key players over the holiday period.
Sidley won a succession of corners as they began to exert some control on the game but Tackleway were presented with the best opportunities to break the deadlock. First Sidley goalkeeper Joe Rogers sliced a back pass but the Tackleway striker curled his effort wide of the post before another chance saw the striker lift his effort over Rogers but Ian May managed to clear before the ball got to the line.
After that Sidley started to make more opportunities with Arron Scrace on the left looking like he might get some joy. He volleyed a Simon Corke cross over the bar as Sidley pressed and they almost went ahead in style when a neat move ended with John Carey smashing an effort from outside the area off the bar.
But Sidley frustrations were eased right on the half time whistle. Again Carey took aim from the edge of the penalty area but this time he beat the Tackleway goalkeeper to give the Blues the lead at the interval.
The second half saw Tackleway press to try and find the equaliser but they were unable to force Rogers into any saves. Indeed it was Sidley who had chances to extend the lead as first Scrace rounded the goalkeeper but hit the post from a tight angle and then Ashley Elphick was played through one on one but steered his effort just wide of the post.
However in the end those missed chances mattered little as Sidley saw out the game and held on for the win and with it they made it a perfect 10 wins out of 10 to extend their lead at the top of the table.
A tale of taking chances this game - Tackleway were unable to take theirs when they came in the first half while Sidley did notch and also twice hit the woodwork. On that basis, Sidley probably just about deserved it although credit to Tackleway who battled hard.
Next up for the Blues is an away game to Ticehurst in the Sussex FA Cup.
Sidley Team: Rogers, Godden (Aston), May, Copley, Eldridge, Carey (Bailey), Day, Sanderson, Scrace, Corke (Elphick), Roberts.