Bosham keep up title hopes as Sidlesham reach cup final

It's been another good week for our two local SCFL division-two sides, Bosham and Sidlesham.
Callum Dowdell of Sidlesham / Picture by Kate ShemiltCallum Dowdell of Sidlesham / Picture by Kate Shemilt
Callum Dowdell of Sidlesham / Picture by Kate Shemilt

The Robins chalked up another home win to strengthen their hopes of landing the title, while Sids reached the Division 2 Cup final by beating Jarvis Brook.

Here are the latest reports below - and don’t forget you can get all the local football action, including fixtures, results and tables, in the Observer - out now.

Bosham 3 Montpelier Villa 0

SCFL division two

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A party-piece goal from Bradley Miles helped Bosham maintain their lead at the top of the table.

It was a comfortable win in the end against a spirited Villa side who gave the Reds a thorough examination but left empty-handed.

Bosham had a blow before kick-off with first-choice keeper Kieran Magee sidelined with illness, so the imposing figure of Callum Fewell took the gloves.

Both sides started at breakneck pace but the hosts who were first to opposition defence and Graeme Dowden hit the crossbar with a firm header. Minutes later James Wilson did the same as the fingertips of James Mckemey saved the day for the visitors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bosham’s pressure was evident in the amount of territory and possession they enjoyed and that dominance was rewarded just after the quarter-hour when Dowden broke the deadlock with a venomous finish.

Marco Giambelardini worked some space and flicked the ball over the top of the static defence for his strike partner to run on to – and Dowden took his chance.

The game became scrappy and the Sky Blues pressed but the Bosham defence were always on song. Fewell was a huge presence in the home goal at corners and was determined not to be found wanting.

Minutes after the restart Bosham had cause to celebrate as they doubled their lead and it was a goal worth waiting for. Miles used strength to fend off Dave MacNeill and hit a stupendous curler with his left foot that sailed into the top corner with Mckemey rooted to the spot.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jake Lafferty got the third for the Reds as the game entered its final quarter. Substitute Max Kinahan got through on goal only to see Mckemey make the save – but Lafferty was well positioned to surge on to the rebound and fire the ball home.

Nick Edgington came on for a late appearance for the Reds and Bosham saw out time to confirm another win. With four games to go, Jarvis Brook and Sidlesham are still chasing the Reds but they remain favourites for the silverware.

The Robins bob along to Roffey on Saturday.

Bosham: Fewell, Bulbeck, Dowden, Colinese, Miles, Giambelardini, Lafferty, Docherty, Cooper, Bell, Wilson. Subs: Kinahan, Redman, Edgington.

ALAN PRICE

Rottingdean 1 Sidlesham 1

SCFL division two

Sidlesham took a point at Rottingdean in testing conditions which saw them contend with a swirling wind and having only ten men for most of the second half.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was a scrappy affair in the wind and the bumpy pitch didn’t help the teams’ cause, making free-flowing football hard.

Chances were at a premium in the first half but Tom Bayley went close for Sidlesham when he got free in the box, forcing the home keeper into a good save.

Rottingdean’s forwards were causing Sidlesham problems with their direct running.

Connor Kelly in the Sidlesham goal did well when the home side forced a number of corners, with his assured handling collecting them from under the crossbar a number of times.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sidlesham went a goal down when a tremendous free-kick from Danny Stearman beat Kelly at full stretch.

Sids pushed for an equaliser but found Rottingdean in no mood to concede.

The second half saw the wind behind Sids’ backs and they forced a number of free-kicks and corners but couldn’t force an equaliser.

They were reduced to ten men when Joe Leggatt was adjudged to have pulled aforward down when slipping to clear an attack. This galvanised the away side and Callum Dowdell went close – then a good run by Callum Litterick ended with him placing his shot wide.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Inside the final ten minutes, the ball was played into Bayley in the box and he turned his man and fired a great strike past the home keeper.

Sidlesham couldn’t force a winner but deserve credit after going down to ten men and gaining a vital point in their fifth away game on the bounce.

Saturday sees Sids on their travels again in the league to Cowfold (2pm).

Sidlesham 1 Jarvis Brook 0

SCFL D2 Cup semi-final (at Loxwood)

Sidlesham are through to the Division 2 Cup final after a battling performance saw off Jarvis Brook in the semi-final.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the teams occupying second and third in the league, it was always going be a real battle.

Both teams gave a great account of themselves with Sidlesham probably edging the first half and going in 1-0 up at the break after 16-year-old Callum Litterick’s goal.

The second half brought plenty of pressure from Jarvis Brook and Sidlesham were reduced to ten men when Jefkins was sent off for two bookings.

Thanks to some brave defending and assured goalkeeping, Sids held firm to book their place in the final against Westfield. The date and venue have yet to be announced.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sids boss Daren Pearce said: “Both teams gave a great showing and the game was played in the right way. Both teams gave their all until the final whistle.”

* Sidlesham are holding a kids’ kick-around on Saturday mornings as they look for players who would like the chance to play next season for their new under-12s team.

Sessions are held every Saturday from 10.30am and anyone is welcome. Call 07807 232540 with any enquiries.

Sids also have girls and men’s tournaments coming up soon.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking sports news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

Share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Related topics: