Resiliant SEDS edge tight game...
Here we go again it's the blog of the week, but in truth I am not sure how to put an enough punch in to it without it being overshadowed by the resignation of Dan Foster at Old Hastonians, didn't see that one coming !! On with the serious stuff.
The last fixture before the winter break this saturday, and lets ensure that we have a good turn out from all players, managers, supporters etc...
, you have no excuse to cry off, you simply tell the wife there is late night shopping and always the Christmas eve rush which helps maintain fitness jogging between shops before they close !! Also it would be good to see as many of you as possible at the Queens head after the game(s) to share in a little Christmas spirit this weekend...
Well done to all who represented the club over the weekend, your commitment is appreciated as always.
Results were not quite so good with the 2nds being edged out by a 3 - 1 scoreline away at Catsfield, whilst the 3rds were narrowly defeated 1 - 0 at home to Cranbrook.
The score in a match very rarely tells the full story of events in a game, but results suggest that both games were competitive and as long as you are grafting and working hard for each other the results will come good.
Keep battling all of you !! SIDLEY 1 - 2 SEDLESCOMBE A trip to Hooe on Saturday to play the re formed Sidley United,who had recently put an end to Hollington united unbeaten start to the season 1 - 0, and were in decent form having only lost 1 of there last 5 games looked to be a tough fixture.
Sedlescombe themselves who are the premier leagues form side currently, were eager to extend there unbeaten run to 9 matches in all competitions.
The prospect of a positive result and games eleswhere going in Seds favour could see them go third in the table.
So all was set fair for an intriguing encounter.
The first quarter of the game passed by with little incident or action to report with both sides surrendering possesion a little to easily as both teams searched for ways to pierce the oppositions defence.
Sidley threatened first as James Bailey who has quick feet jinked his way on a mazy run past a few defenders before the evergreen Jim Adams intervened and cleared the presenting danager.
Next up was a delivery from the right wing - with a low cross which bounced up and hit Ross Rogerson hand - penalty appeals were waved away by referee Nick Greenfield.
As Sidley grew in confidence they became more combative and started to dominate in the middle of the park.
Whilst they were edging possesion, the Seds defence stood firm and Sidley struggled to create a chance of any description.
A number of corners and free kicks were conceded and despite the arial threat that Sidley pose the defensive solidity of the Seds team should be congratulated.
They never folded and accepted responsibility to a man working cohesively together.
Seds toiled a little going forward and struggled to find the fluency to there game that had seen them play some slick pass and move style football in recent weeks.
However as we witness most weeks games can turn quickly and hinge on key moments.
With around 35 minutes on the clock Seds put together there first real pasing move of the match as Luke Davies forced the keeper to make a good save from a powerful effort.
A further effort from Davies was again saved and from the presenting corner, Mike Booth flicked on and Pip Hatch perhaps somewhat unfortunately got a deft touch which saw his effort just clear the bar from about 4 yards out.
Pip then forced the keeper in to another fine save as the shot was arrowing to the top left hand corner the keeper pushed on to the bar and out for a corner.
In truth it was probably as good a 5 minute spell of pressure that we have had this season - it was intense and had it not been for the keeper and a little luck we would have surely scored.
However luck was not favouring the Seds as Sidley broke away up the field, it seemed that the threat was in hand, but when Aron Scrase cut in from the left and unleashed an effort from 20 yards it seemed that Adam Corten had it covered.
That was until the ball hit the 6 yard box line and popped up inexplicably to bounce beyond his grasp !!! It was a bitter pill to swallow for Seds who themselves may well have felt they should have been in front, or at the very least on level terms.
This Seds side have shown over and over again that they have heart and character, having recorded many positive results from being behind in previous fixtures.
A spirited half time chat re galvanised the lads, with the emphasis being to be more combative, mix the game up short and long, stretch the game and gamble on making runs etc !!! As the second half started it was clear that one individual took the half time team talk to heart as he produced arguably his best 45 minutes of football for the club this season and why he collects this weeks man of the match: That man is LEX RUSSELL his energy, desire and physicall presence was just what we required and he did not dissapoint.
Skip described him as a machine and on this showing we hope he is fine tuned for this coming Saturday !! Seds needless to say started the half brightly and so it transpired that we were back on level terms quickly.
An over hit cross from Mike booth appeared to be sailing out of play and beyond the far post, the Sidley keeper lifting his arms in resignation of the ball going out as he followed the flight of the ball.
However the crosse's intended recipient Ryan Edwards had not given up on the ball.
From a seemingly impossible angle, almost pinned to the goal line and about 3 yards out, he jumped and managed to hook the ball on the volley off the underside of the bar and in to the net.
It was the most opportune and unbelievable effort and a testament to never say die attitude that exists in this Seds team currently.
The look on the Sidley keepers face was a picture to behold...
The game then continued with a similar theme with Seds looking to stretch the game and turn the Sidley back four - further pressure was excerted and a strong penalty appeal turned down.
Despite this pressure, Sidley countered and did create one, and there only real effort worthy of mention in the second half with a header which cleared the bar from around six yards out.
Shortly after this PIP HATCH was released up the left and as the keeper came out to close the shot rebounded off his legs and was collected by Ryan Edwards about 30 yards out.
He steadied himself before calmy chipping the ball towards the far right hand corner and what turned out to be the winner.
Corey Scott then entered the fray and added some extra stability to the centre of the park and may have scored himself had the pitch not presented a horrendous bobble just as he was about to shoot...
Mike Booth also had a chance to extend the lead further as his attempted lob was just a little under hit.
Whilst a Sidley reposte was anticipated and they sent personell forward in there droves in the last 5 minutes, the team stood strong, battled for every ball and gave no quarter.
On the balance of play a well deserved win and a run which is now extended to 9 unbeaten in all competitions - a great effort all round - well done lads.
As I was watching match of the day last night Alan Shearer and Phil Neville were summing up the Chelsea highlights - Shearer commented " You cant play spectacular football every week" , Neville then added " That what was impressive is they (Chelsea) just kept going and didn't give up despite the excellent work from WBA".
This sums us up really nicely...
! So, 9 unbeaten, Battle Baptists up next, 2nd v 3rd can we go again and keepthe run going - it's going to be tough and difficult but I would love to finish 2016 on a high and I believe in you all.
Lets go for it, run through brick walls if we have too, after Saturday you can rest up for a week or two !!! Dont forget training on Wednesday same time and place - get there if you can.
Get your replies in to Matt in respect of availabilty for this week.
Finally and in closing would be good to all get to the pub after the game Saturday for a festive tipple.
UP THE SEDS.
