Battling Blues show fighting qualities

In a display reminiscent of their title-winning campaign of four years ago, this was the Blues' third successive victory, all achieved without conceding a single goal, and, hopefully, should go a long way to securing their top flight status in the Sussex League.

Sidley's team selection revealed their intention because as well as fielding a three-man central defensive line of Graham Morris, Lee Wood and Owen Ball, they also named three battled-hardened warriors in the heart of midfield in the robust and combative frames of captain Jimmy Watson, Liam Barham and Jason Finch.

With so many determined characters in the side, it came as no great surprise that they should start so well and went on to pretty much control the opening period without, in truth, looking like scoring against a Hailsham defence marshalled by Leon Legge.

That was until a minute from the end of the half. Adam Day found just enough space to deliver a quality cross and pick out Watson who tried to place his header, only to see it deflect off a defender and flash beyond the dive of goalkeeper Nathan Gamester.

Sidley were forced into a change early in the second half when the influential Dave Ward had to be replaced after limping off with a hamstring injury.

At the time Hailsham were offering more of a threat and were desperately unlucky not to equalise when Paul Richardson's shot from the edge of the box smacked against the underside of the crossbar and bounced down on the goalline.

Either side of this escape, Sidley had gone close themselves - Stuart Weston and Wooller both failing to make the most of decent opportunities. Barham and Ian Oliver could also have netted before Wooller finally made sure of the points 10 minutes from time by racing onto Ball's neat through ball and clipping an exquisite finish beyond the onrushing Gamester.