Sidley show their true quality

The Sidley management team had demanded a response from their players in the wake of a run of five defeats in six games culminating in that 6-2 drubbing at Division Two Oakwood in the RUR Charity Cup.

The players did not disappoint as they shook off the frustration of conceding a controversial early goal to take control of this Friday night match; their efforts were rewarded by second half strikes from Neil Maplesden and Mark Funnell.

"We wanted a response from them and they gave us one," said joint manager Andy Laskey. "We just felt they had lost a little bit of belief but against Hassocks it came down to their own mental strength - they wanted it. Even when we went a goal down we always looked as though we would get back into the game."

The Sidley spirit was typified by the outstanding performance of forward Wes Tate who created mayhem in the home defence. "Wes had the best game I have ever seen him have for Sidley. He was really up for it," enthused Laskey.

Tate was a thorn in Hassocks' side, linking up well in attack with Karl Tarrant who was making his debut after signing from parks team Icklesham Casuals.

Sidley had already created a couple of decent chances before they fell behind in the seventh minute although they had good reason to feel hard done by.

Lee Wood won a tackle in his own penalty area but in the process clattered into fellow defender Maplesden which saw Wood crash to the ground clutching his head. Fearing he might have suffered a serious injury, the Sidley players immediately called for the game to be stopped but the referee allowed play to continue and James Laing took full advantage to fire the loose ball into the net.

Wood was able to carry on after receiving treatment but was eventually substituted in the second half because he was complaining of feeling sick.

The manner of the goal might have been galling but Sidley refused to rise to the bait and focused on playing good football. They also did this in the second half and both Tate and Maplesden were denied by smart saves, while Funnell missed a presentable opportunity.

The equaliser finally arrived midway through the half when Adam Day whipped in a cross from the left for Maplesden who scored at the second attempt after the keeper had parried his initial effort.

Sidley went on to enjoy something of a purple patch before claiming the winner eight minutes from time. A neat passing move involving Day, Dave Ward and Watson was rounded off by Funnell whose side-foot shot from just inside the box flashed into the Hassocks net for a thoroughly deserved victory.