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Peacehaven made their intentions
clear from the start with crisp, fluent passing
from the outset, and they were soon creating
chances. First Harry Coker's perfect cross into
the 6 yard box was well dealt with by the Sidley
defence, and then a searching pass from Murray
found O'Toole in the area and he controlled well
before seeing his shot flash past the upright.
Haven were looking dangerous
every time they won possession, and Brad Murray
went inches away from his first goal for the
Club before Sidley had their first chance of the
game late into the half. Bryce Masters' low
cross found Casey Ham in the area but his shot
didn't trouble Adams.
In the final minute of the
half came the first controversial moment of the
game. The goal Peacehaven had been threatening
to score finally arrived when Fenelon went on a
startling run from his own half. He took the
ball deep into the area before squaring to Ryan
Bradley in the 6 yard box who seemingly fired
Peacehaven into a valuable lead. As they started
to celebrate, their attention was drawn to the
linesman who'd raised his flag for offside, and
the half ended goalless.
Peacehaven continued to push
forward after the break, and they were nearly
rewarded midway through the half when Matt
Hill's corner triggered a scramble in the 6 yard
box and the ball was eventually cleared off the
line. Soon after came the second moment of
controversy when Joe Adams' huge drop-kick
cleared the away defence and Ryan Bradley and
Josh Willis in the Sidley goal both converged on
the loose ball. They both arrived at the same
time, but Bradley received his 2nd yellow card
for his efforts, and Peacehaven were down to 10
men.
Sidley pushed forward looking
to press home their advantage but, despite
having the odds against them, it was Peacehaven
who were to break the deadlock. Substitute Carl
Dunk combined with Rob O'Toole out wide, and
Dunk's low shot crept under Willis to the relief
of the home contingent.
With the clock ticking down,
there was one more moment of controversy to
round off the afternoon when Carl Dunk's fierce
shot cannoned off the arm of the already-booked
Dan Cruikshank, from point blank range, and he
became the second player of the afternoon to
take an early bath.
Shaun Saunders was full of
praise for his side after the game saying, "It
was all about character and belief today.
Everyone's attitude was spot on, and it was a
determined performance" |