Lady Luck blows Sidley a raspberry

WHEN your luck's out nothing goes your way as Sidley found to their cost in a grossly flattering Sussex Senior Cup first round defeat on Saturday.

East Grinstead boss Bobby Smith went on record with his view that United were the better side but it was the Wasps who progressed to a second round clash at Sidlesham as the visitors exited their second cup competition in the space of three days.

Sidley joint manager Andy Laskey drew a similar conclusion. He said: "First half without doubt we were the better side. The game should have been dead and buried at half time but we missed some chances."

Mark Funnell's cross shot went narrowly wide of the far post, a deflection denied Jimmy Watson and Kevin Rose, whom Laskey described as producing, "the best first half I've ever seen him have", sent his header straight at the giant home keeper. A clutch of half chances arose from set-pieces where away players got their heads to corners without finding the target.

New signing from Rye & Iden United Lee Roberts showed promise on his debut and the partnership he forged with Rose gave encouragement for the future.

But goals change football matches and a controversial opener for the home side in the final minute of the first half turned the tide in their favour. A shot from the edge of the box struck Chris Copley on the arm, which was not outstretched, and the referee pointed to the spot despite the fact that Copley was standing a matter of yards from the shot. James Horner did the rest and when he added an audacious second after 62 minutes it was never going to be Sidley's day.

Visiting number one Danny Poole was about to clear upfield when Horner cheekily nodded the ball out of his hand and tapped home in a Gary Crosby-esque moment which typified United's recent ill-fortune.

Robust midfielder Dave Gellatly made it three with 20 minutes remaining as the away side were understandably caught pushing men forward.

Grinstead's fourth again summed up Sidley's ill-fortune as Horner's cross was diverted in by one of three covering defenders.

Laskey continued: "First half I would say was excellent but our heads dropped a little bit."

Sidley: Poole, O. Ball, Thompson, Smith (Dadswell), Maplesden, Copley, Watson, Funnell, Rose, Roberts (Heritage), Freeman. Subs not used: M. Ball, Bennett.