Sidley hit for six in cup

United suffered their heaviest defeat of the season and in the process became Division Two Oakwood's fourth top flight scalp during that period - including Rye & Iden United and leaders Chichester City United whom they beat 6-0.

It was the same old story of slack defending for several goals and misfortune at the other end that precipitated United's disappointing quarter-final exit.

Joint manager Andy Laskey said magnanimously: "There's no excuses. We put in plenty of pride and plenty of passion but on the day we weren't good enough really. I think in all honesty they deserved to win more than us because they put their chances away and we didn't even though we had more clear-cut chances than them."

The Blues' afternoon started badly when Gary Bidwell's attempted 11th minute cross drifted in and seemed to get progressively worse from then on.

The unattended Gerald Manville headed home the second seven minutes later and Mark Holmes nodded a 38th minute third after Rob Wiley came for but missed a cross.

Manville mopped up the pieces from Wiley's fumble to slot the fourth shortly before half time to leave Sidley somewhat red-faced.

But they fought back immediately with the diminutive Shae Spreafico rising well to head one back but the usually reliable Adam Day then dragged a penalty wide of the target.

The referee had earlier stopped Spreafico in his tracks when clean through to award Sidley a free kick and Jason Finch had twice been foiled by marvellous saves from the home keeper following Dave Carey's departure with an ankle knock.

Sidley dragged themselves back in it seven minutes into the second half when Day this time converted a penalty after Lee Wood had been hauled to the ground.

Jordan Wood then had the chance to really put the cat amongst the pigeons but he failed to make the most of a rebound after Owen Ball had struck the post.

But as Sidley pushed on in a bid to stay alive they got caught on the counter by a sprightly Oakwood side that is rarely found wanting in the goalscoring department. Zak Newman took the wind out of their sails with the fifth after 63 minutes and Phil Marsh rounded it off six minutes later.

Sidley were due to visit Hassocks in the league on Friday January 16 before making the short trip to Hailsham Town on Tuesday.