Sids can't quite go out with a bang

The day got off to a bad start when the groundsman’s mower broke down, but despite the long grass and the unloved appearance of the playing surface, both sides gave it their all in an entertaining match packed with great goals, near misses and fine goalkeeping.

The first half exploded with three goals in as many minutes.

Moore fired the visitors ahead, only for McCoy to equalise with a long-range piledriver a minute later.

Heath swept forward and regained the lead when Hamilton’s shot cannoned in off the underside of the bar.

Sids suffered a further blow before half-time when a lack of concentration gifted possession to the visitors who will never score a softer goal.

Sidlesham came out for the second half in determined mood and were rewarded when Leggett’s thunderbolt flew in, but despite a whole-hearted effort, the equaliser eluded them.

SIDS: Simmons; Jones, Brown, McCoy, Leggett, Barnes, Newman, Ayling, Harewood, Chick, Hayes, Hughes, Rogers.

DENNIS NICHOLSON