Sidlesham progressed to the semi-final of the Sussex League division-three cup with a well-deserved 3-0 victory at Billingshurst.
Without two of their forwards the Sids pushed John Phillips up front to partner Dan Bassil and with Jimmy Brown and Kieran Hartley playing out wide Billingshurst were under pressure from the start.
With Bassil holding up the ball it gave Phillips room to cause panic in the home defence.
With the midfield and defence not giving the Billingshurst forwards a look-in, a superb ball allowed Andy Carrigher the chance to break down the left and his pinpoint cross was met by Phillips, whose superb header was placed out of the reach of the home keeper to give the Sids a 1-0 lead on 15 minutes.
The Sids continued to press forward and on 30 minutes, Andy Hounsome’s through-ball split the home defence, allowing John Phillips to win the ball and round the defenders to score his and the Sids’ second goal.
Just before half-time Phillips had another shot pushed round the post by the home keeper.
The second half saw Billingshurst pushing forward but the Sids defence was not allowing them any opportunities and the Sids soon began to dominate, which saw one or two Billingshurst forwards get frustrated and commit silly fouls.
The Sids brought on Howard Low, Ricky Mullins and Sean Newman.
Kieran Hartley got round the home defence he played a great ball across the Billingshurst penalty area which was just out of reach of Mullins.
But on 70 minutes, after a superb run, Hartley cut into the area and scored the Sids’ third with a well-placed shot.
The final ten minutes saw the Sids keeping the ball not allowing Billingshurst a look-in.
This was a fine display by the Sids and all the players must take credit for the result, which sees them through to play Haywards Heath or Clymping in the last four.
The Sids resume their league title bid with a trip to TD Shipley this Saturday.
SIDS: Arnell, Millins, Carrigher, Grantham, Chatfield, Hounsome, Hartley, Whitmore, Phillips, Bassil, Brown. Subs: Low, Newman, Mullins.
TONY ROWLAND