Another late show boosts Sidley

The Blues are making a habit of leaving it late because Stuart Weston's 87th minute equaliser was the 15th time they have struck from the 80th minute onwards in the league this season.

Compare that figure to the five of Pagham, four of Hailsham Town and three of East Grinstead Town and Sidley's penchant for the late show could prove pivotal in the fight to avoid relegation from Sussex Division One.

"It shows the players don't give up," said manager Andy Laskey. "They keep going to the end and I thought we deserved it. It was a useful point, especially with the other teams behind us all losing, but we gave away two soft goals again."

The first of these, scored by Steve Banks in the 52rd minute, was the result of indecision in United's defence and the second, 15 minutes from time by Shane Moses, was put on a plate for the scorer by a scuffed attempted clearance.

"In some ways I would have preferred a nil-nil," explained Laskey, "because it would have meant we would have tightened things up (Sidley have the second worst defensive record in the division behind Sidlesham). Half time I thought defensively we were doing alright, but after the goal (Keith Miles 47th minute penalty opener after Weston was tripped) we looked very, very nervous."

Perhaps nerves were to be expected in view of the fact that there were three players making their first start of the season - Adie Kettyles, Dan Antink and Weston - but the trio of newcomers, who impressed during a recent friendly with Hastings United, pleased their boss.

"They did settle down alright," Laskey continued. "Dan Antink didn't do anything wrong at all really and Stuart Weston has got everything you need. I think they are going to be important because we need to put pressure on people, we can't have people thinking they're in.

"It was a useful point. Before the game I would have settled for a draw down there. They're not a bad side, but I thought we matched them."