Sidlesham produced an outstanding performance at Ferring despite their regular keeper being taken ill - and the 4-1 was enough to take them top of division two of the Sussex League.
He was replaced by Matthew Cohen for only his second game of the season.
From the start the Sids took the game to their opponents and put the home side under extreme pressure.
Ferring held them at bay until the 30th minute when a thunderous shot was kicked off the line but hit a home defender and flashed past the home keeper.
Soon John Phillips was tripped in the area but the referee did not give the penalty and this led to the Sids laying siege to the goal.
They were rewarded on 37 minutes when Kieran Hartley scored their second, but Jay Whitmore had to be substituted straight after this because of an injury, and was replaced by Gary Jones.
The Sids continued to dominate and the defence were not giving the home side any opportunities.
The second half saw the Sids continue their dominance but it was not until the 73rd minute that the half truly came alive.
Dan Bassil, who had replaced Dean Platt, powered in a tremendous header which struck the post - but Ferring reacted quickest and took the ball upfield and scored on 75 minutes.
With the Sids looking for more goals, they were awarded a free-kick on 82 minutes. Gary Jones took the kick, placing the ball out of the reach of the home keeper to put the Sids 3-1 up.
On 90 minutes Kieran Hartley scored his second to give the Sids a 4-1 win that saw the Sids deservedly take over as league leaders.
SIDS: M Cohen, D Millins, A Carrigher, P Grantham, B Chatfield, A Hounsome, J Phillips, J Whitmore, P Barnes, D Platt, K Hartley, G Jones, B Bassil, D Raven, H Low, R Mullens.
The Sids host Rottingdean this Saturday.
TONY ROWLAND
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