Sidley pay penalty against Oaks

SIDLEY United's return to action after a rain-induced three week sabbatical ended in frustration as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat away to Oakwood.

Joint manager Andy Laskey felt his side were denied two "cast iron" spot-kicks and another possible award at Tinsley Lane on Saturday.

The first came in the opening period as Sidley went in search of an equaliser, Scott McDonald going down under a challenge in the box. "The defender just took him out," said Laskey. "You could hear the crack but the referee said it was shinpad against shinpad."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The second came after the break as the Blues trailed 2-1, this time substitute Dave Henham was the victim of a chest high block at a corner. The other claim was for handball, which Laskey felt would have been harsh.

The match did produce a penalty -but to add insult to injury it went to Oakwood, when midway through the second half the linesman flagged for a shirt-pull and the referee pointed to the spot even though he had allowed the forward to have a shot.

Fortunately for Sidley, Jon Saunders pulled off a fine save to prevent his side going three-down, and soon after Peter Baker raced onto a Jimmy Watson ball over the top to halve the deficit.

Sidley virtually set up camp in the opposition half during the closing quarter of the match but could not grab an equaliser, although Steve Morris, McDonald, Jordan Wood and Nick Whiteman all had decent opportunities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The visitors should have taken this Sussex Division One game by the scruff of the neck but both Baker and McDonald failed to make the most of a couple of great early chances.

The Oaks opened the scoring on 25 minutes through Liam Hunter's close range finish and Lee Butcher doubled their lead on the hour with a 25 yarder which went in off the post.