Little Common win at Alfold - Sidley hit six for Sussex Cup semi-final spot

Ollie Weeks returned to the starting line up in place of James Miriam-Batchelor whilst there was a welcome return to the bench for Jack McLean after a lengthy lay off. Commom started brightly and almost took the lead in the second minute when a Sam Ellis delivery into the box struck the crossbar. A neat move in the box saw Freddie Warren send a shot goalwards but his effort was cleared off the line.

Common did break the deadlock in the 13th minute when a lay off on the edge of the area by Lewis Hole found JJ Walker who rifled in an effort into the far corner of the net. Common continued to press and had a penalty claim turned down when Ellis was bundled over in the area by the home keeper. It was the hosts who struck next in the 20th minute, equalising with their first attack as the Commom defence claimed offside.

Walker saw another well struck effort drift wide before the home keeper made point blank saves to deny both Ellis and Hole. Common regained the lead in the 37th minute when the home defence failed to clear a Common free kick and the ball fell to the feet of Walker who drilled an effort in off the post. Commom started the second half as they finished the first and Hole saw a first time volley pushed over the bar before Ellis saw a low drive palmed to safety. The third goal did arrive in the 61st minute when a Walker corner was met by the head of Hole at the far post.

The hosts rallied to try and get back into the game but failed to produce any noteworthy chances and the Commoners were able to see out the remainder of the game without too many scares. The hosts were reduced to ten men for the final few minutes and Ellis once again drew a good save from the home stopper.

Sidley United 6 - 0 Harting - Sussex FA Intermediate Cup Quarter Final

Sidley United put West Sussex Championship outfit Harting to the sword to book a place in the Semi Final of the Sussex FA Intermediate Cup.

The visitors were the lowest ranked side left in the last eight but their league form was impressive, meaning the Blues couldn't afford to take them lightly. However the pattern of the game indicated a measure of control for the home side and they took the lead on only 9 minutes when Louis Walker's attempted cross from the right dropped over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Harting defended doggedly as Sidley failed to convert more chances with Sam Crabb coming closest when he hit the crossbar on 20 minutes. However they grabbed an important second goal when Paul Rogers controlled a cross and fired into the roof of the net on 42 minutes.

The Blues continued their push forward in the second half. On 48 minutes they won the ball high up the pitch and Charlie Cornford fed Crabb who poked the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper to make it 3 - 0 before Cornford got on the scoresheet on 57 minutes with a low strike into the far corner of the net.

The Harting goalkeeper made a number of good stops but the fifth goal came through a lovely lob from Lee Carey from fully 35 yards on 61 minutes. The Blues made their substitutions with the game wrapped up and one of those who came from the bench, Nathan Crabb, completed the scoring in the final minute to make it 6 - 0.

The Blues will face SCFL side Rustington in the last four for a place in the final. That match is scheduled for March 12th. Next week the Blues turn their focus back to their title push with their final away game of the season at near neighbours Hollington United.

Sidley: Hutchins, Walker, Featherstone, McEniry (Clifford), Hickman-Smith, Ellis, Carey, Cumming-Bart (Elliott-Noye), Cornford, Rogers, S Crabb (N Crabb).

Westfield 3-1 Sedlescombe Rangers - Mid Sussex League premier

Westfield and Sedlescombe Rangers went into the game knowing whoever failed to win was facing an enormous uphill battle to stay in the league.

Westfield manager Mark Stapley made a couple of changes from last week’s defeat, choosing to have two out and out wingers in Jay Edwards and Warren Pethig.

Stapley was soon rewarded with this decision as the opening five minutes saw Westfield find Edwards and Pethig at every opportunity going forward. Sedlescombe had a couple of early opportunities, however failed to truly test the keeper.

The game burst into life with a wonder strike by Westfield’s Martyn Durrant. Durrant won a tackle in his own half and powerfully made his way past two Sedlescombe midfielders, before unleashing a superb 25-yard strike into the top corner.

Sedlescombe immediately looked to get back into the game and were rewarded with their persistence. A set play wasn’t cleared and the ball fell to former Westfield man Billy- Jo Driver who slotted into an empty net. Westfield responded to the setback well, Jay Edwards and Josh Pickering both going close, Pickering’s effort came from twenty yards out and just shaved the top of the bar.

Westfield didn’t have to wait long in reclaiming their lead, Jay Edwards was put through on goal and he slotted confidently past the Sedlescombe keeper. Josh Pickering then added a third on the stroke of half time. Pickering’s finish mirrored that of Edwards, a well taken finish that nestled in the bottom left hand corner.

The second half saw Sedlescombe push hard for a consolation. At times both teams struggled to create any clear cut chances and it was a scrappy affair. On the hour mark however the game had the potential to change course. Both Westfield and Sedlesombe will have felt done by when it came to the referee’s next two decisions.

Westfield’s Warren Pethig was on the receiving end of a very strong tackle. As Pethig got up, he pushed his forehead towards the chest of the Sedlesomble player. The referee gave Pethig a straight red.

Minutes later it looked as though Sedlescombe had won a penalty following a hand ball in the Westfield penalty area. The referee chose not to give this, much to the frustration of Sedlescombe.

With the Westies down to ten men for the best part of half an hour, Sedlescombe had the opportunity to capitalise.

Westfield however defended superbly, with the entire back four deserving a huge amount of credit. At times they pushed for a fourth, Steve Payne was unlucky with a rasping shot that struck the crossbar.

Westfield will feel they deserved their win and it may well be the most important three points of their season.