Walking wounded reach semi-finals

The Blues won 3-2 after extra time at home to Division Two leaders Pagham.

The Sussex Division One club repeated its feat of making it into the last four in 2005 despite playing the extra 30 minutes with only 10 men after four of their five midfielders hobbled off.

Joint manager Andy Laskey said: "We all knuckled down and gave them no space whatsoever to play in. I was pleased to come away with the result we got and I don't think anyone could argue that we didn't deserve to win."

The loss of Steve Morris, Josh Brown, Jimmy Watson and Mark Funnell left Sidley playing a 4-4-1 formation during the additional half-an-hour with forwards Peter Baker, Scott McDonald and Keith Miles in midfield.

If that wasn't bad enough, lone striker Jordan Wood was struggling with a knock sustained in the pre-match warm-up.

It was therefore a massive triumph of character and desire when Baker nervelessly slotted away a last minute penalty awarded for a needless foul on himself.

The game couldn't have started in much more contrasting fashion because Sidley dominated the opening 45 minutes playing their best football for some time with Adam Day outstanding.

They went into the break two-up and it would have been more had Brown and Funnell kept their shots down from presentable positions.

McDonald was the scorer of both goals: the 18th minute first was a cool finish after being released by Morris and the 40th minute second a side-foot volley following a pinpoint Baker cross and tremendous tackle from Watson.

Morris was taken off as a precaution with a sore calf at half time and the player he was marking, Martin, headed Pagham back into the tie early in the second period.

In the absence of Morris, Graham Morris and Lee Wood, United were lacking in aerial strength and Heller equalised from another set-piece 15 minutes from the end of normal time.

With the tide having turned against them, Sidley were relieved to see their opponents appear to settle for a replay during the extra 30 minutes.

Pagham continued to keep four men back against only a half-fit Jordan Wood and Baker made them pay right at the death.

United will next face Division One high-flyers Arundel or Eastbourne Town at a neutral ground on a date to be announced.