Sittingbourne are still on the road to Wembley after this win against their Swale rivals Faversham, the game was played in difficult conditions, windy but hot but they played the better football and deserved their victory.

Faversham started the quicker of the teams & in the first 5 minutes had a couple of shots at goal both easily saved by Patrick Lee then in the 8^th minute Sittingbourne nearly scored when Ira Jackson on the right saw his low cross come to Bola Dawodu who from 15 yards saw his side foot shot saved by Tom Benham’s legs.

In the 10^th minute Ryan Cooper ran from halfway down the right, then crossed into the area where Dan Carrington 10 yards saw his header hit the cross bar and go over.

The game went quiet for a while with Sittingbourne tried to pass their way forward while Faversham using the conditions were playing a more direct style of football.

In the 24^th minute Nathan Elder passed out wide for Tom Loynes who saw his shot parried away by Benham then in the next minute they took the lead when the ball played into the 6 yard box for Elder who headed past Benham.

Faversham were rocked by this but two minutes later they nearly equalised when Ben Wilson’s low cross into the area found Harry Goodger but his header was pushed away by Lee, in the next minute Lee was in action as he parried away Ashley Miller’s shot.

In the 39^th minute Sittingbourne nearly doubled their lead when Dawodu in the area tried to go Round Benham but Benham was able to get the ball off his feet. Half time came and both Managers team talks would be vital for either side to win.

The second half took a while to get going but Faversham seemed to up their game, in the 61^st minute Miller got to the by-line, his cross found Matt Bourne and his shot from 10 yards was saved by Lee.

In the 65^th minute Sittingbourne did double their lead, and what a goal it was, Harrison Hatfull received the ball 20 yards out, his bullet shot beat Benham all ends up.

Faversham now had to really up their game and although they tried it was not going to be their day, in the 72^nd minute Renford Tenyue went galloping down the right, his cross to the back post found Miller, his header was saved at the 2^nd attempt by Lee.

Two minutes later Miller 30 yards out tried his luck but it went just wide, in a breakaway Sittingbourne had a chance for a third when Jackson went across the edge of the area, then let Loynes shoot but it went wide.

Faversham knew it wasn’t their day when in the 86^th minute Dean Grant found himself six yards out but Lee rushed out, blocked his shot. In the first minute off added on time Luke Griffiths saw his header come back off the cross bar.

The final whistle went and the handful of Sittingbourne supporters who had been singing all game raised the roof, and celebrated their victory over their rivals.

Faversham Town:

1. Benham        2. R.Cooper       3. B.Wilson (81)     4. D.Cook    5. M.Bourne     6. D.Walder   7. A.Miller
2. D.Carrington 9. H.Goodger    10. J.Harris (52)  11. D.Grant

Subs Used: 14. R.Tenyue (52)  16. L.Griffiths (81)

Subs Not Used:   12. M.Jenner  15. G.Monger  18. S.Overland

Bookings:  None

Sittingbourne:

1. Lee 2. C.Webber    3. J.Dorling (32)    4. H.Hatfull     5. L.Allan     6. B.Fitchett      7. I.Jackson
2. L.Chambers (45) 9. N.Elder (75)     10. B.Dawodu     11. T.Loynes

Subs Used:  12. R.Crimmen (32)  14. D.Parkinson (45)  15. J.Caney-Bryan (75)

Subs Not Used:  13. M.East  16. J.Denny

Bookings:  None

Referee:  Mr J.Wells

Assistants:  Mr W.Briers  &  Mr A.Parry

Att: 310