Sidley reach Hastings Cup Final
The latest of four consecutive victories was undoubtedly the most satisfying, putting one over their depleted local rivals who turned in a desperately poor and petulant showing.
Sidley deserve huge credit for not rising to St Leonards' hostile and aggressive antics and although they hardly turned in a vintage display themselves they can only beat what is placed before them.
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Hide AdJoint manager Andy Laskey said: "I'm very pleased, it's always nice to win against local teams. It wasn't a classic but I just thought we did what we had to do. The other pleasing thing was that we restricted them to not many chances really.
"It does in some way make up for last time because I don't think we were going to be intimidated. We showed them too much respect the first time we played them for whatever reason but they were up for it on Tuesday night."
Indeed Sidley were the better side in all departments, particularly after Saints lost key man Sean Ray, who had earlier seen an effort smothered by Rob Wiley when clean through, to a leg injury sustained in a genuine collision with the home stopper mid-way through the first half.
However much the Blues deserved to progress, there was more than a hint of fortune about their opening goal in the 23rd minute. Owen Ball's free kick from deep on the left was caught by the wind and sailed over visiting stopper Steve Constable before striking the far post and rebounding into the net via the keeper's back.
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Hide AdThe game was made safe three minutes into the second half when Adam Day drove the ball across the face of goal into the far corner of the net from a well-worked free kick routine.
Sidley's opponents in the final will be either Hastings United or Westfield who meet at the Pilot Field on Tuesday.
Sidley return to league on Saturday November 22 when East Grinstead Town visit Gullivers.