Sids sizzle but Reds are repelled

Sidlesham 4 Roffey 0

Sussex League division three

A FIRST-HALF goal glut won this encounter for Sids.

They welcomed back Danny Millens and promoted Alex Pearce from the reserves but were still missing host of names.

Sids started brightly and it wasn’t long before they were 1-0 up. A pinpoint free-kick from John Phillips was met by top goalscorer Tom Kelly who headed past the keeper giving him no chance.

Sidlesham should have extended their lead with two chances for Dan Bassil, who somehow missed two headers after excellent crosses from Tom Jefkins and Tom Bayley.

Soon another cross was met by Bassil, who headed it into the back of the net.

Minutes later, Phillips sent Bassil through on the left, a lovely bit of skill from the big man took him past the centre-half and a low drilled cross into Kelly was controlled and flicked over the defender and volleyed left-footed straight past the keeper.

Two minutes later came the goal of the game. Bayley picked up the ball after neat passing in midfield and chipped it over the back four.

MoM Phillips had made a lung-busting run from deep and controlled the ball ,putting him one on one with the keeper. He slotted the ball hard and low past him to put Sids 4-0 up in just 35 minutes.

The second half was much quieter than the first but Sids remained professional and organised.

They had numerous chances to extend their lead, most notably when Tom Jefkins’ shot was saved when he should have squared for an open goal for Bassil.

Manager Gary Jefkins said: “The first half was a joy to watch – when we play that fast-flowing football we are capable of, we are a match for anyone.”

Sids travel to Rottingdean this Saturday in the league (2pm).

SIDS: Rochester, Pearce, Carrigher, Millens, Grantham, Bayley (Read), Phillips, T.Jefkins (Buitenhuis), Sandalls (J.Jefkins), Kelly, Bassil

Bosham 0 Southwick 2

Sussex League division three

Bosham slipped to a defeat to Southwick which leaves the top of the table very congested ahead of the festive schedule.

With Langney Wanderers’ game postponed, Bosham had the chance to move back to the top – but let it go by as the yellow army triumphed.

The Reds were caught cold in the second minute as Tom Donnelly took advantage of slack defending to poke in unchallenged under the dive of keeper Simon Hasted.

Bosham needed to respond but the yellows were a very well-organised outfit and snuffed out any chances Bosham could muster, leaving keeper Jason Bridge with little to do.

Donnelly was a constant threat down the left for Southwick, giving Andy Probee a torrid time.

Southwick doubled their lead before too long. Bosham failed to deal with a corner from the right and Ben May steered the ball home from a few yards out.

Bosham started to find their feet with Graeme Dowden and Nick Edgington making powerful runs and giving the Yellows some problems.

Matt Docherty fired in a shot from 30 yards that was heading for the top corner, only for Bridge to save spectacularly.

The Reds were better after the break thanks to better use of the flanks. Dave Storey and Marco Giambelardini both had good chances to find the net, but Bridge was always on hand to thwart Bosham.

Late on, referee Martin Smith pointed to the spot after a clumsy foul on Giambelardini by Josh Bidwell. But Storey could only blast his penalty over the bar.

Both teams went into overdrive with numerous chances but there were no more goals.

Cup committements come to the fore this week when Bosham travel to Three Bridges to face their development squad in the Intermediate Cup.

BOSHAM: Hasted, Probee, Giambelardini, Brett, Edgington, Mullen, Docherty, Storey, Bryant, Lafferty, Dowden. Subs: Barnes, Wilson, Lancaster, Wilson, Foster.

ALAN PRICE