Controversial penalty sinks Sidley

A contentious penalty cost Sidley United a deserved draw at home to second-placed Three Bridges on Tuesday night.

Another Sussex County Football League Division One fixture that won’t live long in the memory looked to be heading for a goalless draw until the 73rd minute.

Referee Darren Eaton deemed that Dean Wright had been fouled just inside the box and Tom Lyons picked out the bottom corner with the resulting spot-kick for the game’s only goal despite Gavin Bourne getting a hand to it.

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Sidley manager John Lambert said: “I thought the penalty was a bit harsh. Everybody around it said he made the most of it and the referee got suckered into it. It was the best we’ve played in a couple of weeks.”

The game was evenly contested throughout with little goalmouth incident at either end. Bridges had Elliot Romain sent-off for two yellow cards in the 82nd minute and Sidley’s Terry Payne was stretchered off five minutes later.

Sidley (4-4-2): Bourne; Rea (Denny 80), Spice, Cruikshank, Cody; Bird, Darby, McDonald, Parris; Payne (Dadswell 87), Barden. Subs not used: Chandler, Craig.

A full report will appear in Friday’s Bexhill Observer.

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