It was unlucky thirteen for Sittingbourne and boss Ryan Maxwell on the final day of the regular Isthmian League season as the Brickies despite laying siege to a floundering Lancing defence in the final quarter sank to their first defeat since Valentines Day, it was the home side who ran out 3-1 winners in the Sussex sunshine.
A goal down almost before they had got their bearings, this was the day that the Brickies really didn’t see coming. Maxwell’s side had been playing some fabulous football in a twelve-game unbeaten run – including thirteen goals in their previous four games but didn’t see the start from the home side as Reece Holland was played in behind the Sittingbourne back line and his finish was magnificent giving Alfie Rogers no chance.
It was almost two inside the opening ten minutes as Modu Jammah was denied by Rogers smart anticipation and the keeper’s right boot.
Eventually the visitors did create a chance as Chaynie Burgin’s header was well save by home keeper Alieu Secka – who incidentally must have become one of the earliest bookings in the season for time wasting as he tried to delay the game with almost every chance he had.
The visitors were getting more and more into the game and Mitch May fired just past the post after Burgin had raced onto his own flick from Matt Warrens through ball.
The second half began as the first had with the home side scoring – Darius Goldsmith’s pile driver into the top corner totally out of the blue doubled Lancing’s lead.
Burgin had another header saved and when Correy Davidson had a free kick pushed out by Secka, the travelling Brickies – of which there much have been nearly a hundred – began to fear the worse, and it was nearly three nil moments later when Hallard should have sealed the points sliding in at the back post but couldn’t convert into an unguarded Sittingbourne net.
The let off seemed to inspire the Brickies as they laid siege to the Lancing goal, and it was only tremendous fortune, desperate defending and luck that denied the now rampant Brickies. Three times the frame of the goal was hit – Burgin, Davidson and Donvieve Jones the unlucky ones – before Burgin did get the goal that he deserved to half the deficit.
The red and black waves continued to pile forward and there were loud shouts for a Sittingbourne penalty as substitute Aaron Eyoma “clashed” with the keeper. Davidson couldn’t reach a ball from Warren; Eyoma shot wide; Warren prodded a hot straight at the keeper before Secka’s goal had an amazing let off. A great ball in by Jones caused mayhem in the Lancing box and Burgin crashed in a shot that well beat the keeper but hit defender Berry on the line – although the defender “celebrated” he really didn’t know anything about the effort – and from the corner Joe Ellul’s looping header beat the keeper but sneaked onto the roof of the net.
Warren then went even closer as he thundered a shot off the post and bar when he went for power rather than placement and the goal was still shaking as Lancing broke totally against the run of play and Hallard this time hit the target to complete a flattering and hugely undeserved 3-1 win for the home side.
LANCING – Secka, Berry, Juwara, Daniels-Yeomans (Towning), Allen, Butler, Hallard, Goldsmith, Blennerhassett (Louis), Jammeh, Powell (Mthunzi)
Subs – Zabadne, Madhani
SITTINGBOURNE – Rogers, Jones, Davidson, Ellul, Tyrie (Eyoma), Graham, May, Warren, Burgin, Follea, Singh
Subs – Tubb, Taaffe, Hope
REFEREE – Mr Gidman
Images courtesy of Paul Golding