Ace Leach nips in for hat-trick

Manager Kenny McCreadie said the football from his team was the best he has seen from them this season.

He went on: 'It was brilliant, it would have graced any professional ground.

'Scott French's goal was world class, he beat two men and swerved it in, and Leach was in there again with a hat-trick.

'Peter Cooper played well up front, too, and set up two of Leach's goals.

'I was delighted with the clean sheet as well, the midfield worked their socks off and the central defenders were excellent.

'We have lots of belief in ourselves at the moment and we're expecting to win our John O'Hara Cup tie at Shoreham on Saturday. Steve Hunt is missing with an ankle injury.'

Sidley had won six league and cup games on the trot so this was an impressive victory for The Stringers.

Hailsham unleashed 29 attempts on the Sidley goal over the 90 minutes while their workrate and defensive organisation was also top class.

Simon Stevens prodded home the first goal at the second attempt and Scott French made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time as he ghosted past Lee Wood and Owen Ball in a 40-yard run before slotting in.

Leach saw an effort strike the angle of post and crossbar before scoring from Cooper's pass on 74 minutes.

He shot home from the edge of the penalty area six minutes later and completed his hat-trick in stoppage time.

Sidley had Adam Day dismissed after a confrontation with Steve Monk after a bad tackle by the latter for which he was booked.

Hailsham: Tanner, Lewis, Barden (Alexander), Richardson (Monk), Reeve, Pelling, Jarvis, Stevens, Leach, Cooper (Koboah), S French. Unused sub: Purdie.