A tight tough Kent derby finished honours even at Woodstock Park.

In a very cagey contest, opportunities were at an absolute premium with neither side really creating the chance that would win the game.

Sittingbourne went close through Ahmed Abdulla’s first half shot, Johan Caney-Bryan’s header and Tyler Christian-Law’s poked effort in the second half, before Sam Flisher had a drive just too high and shortly afterwards keeper Jacob Russell away palmed the same player’s driven cross.

Ramsgate didn’t really test the home defence with Lee Prescott’s drive being their best chance, but that was brilliantly blocked by Flisher, and that was it as chances came as neither side really warmed the souls of the cold crowd chilled by a freezing wind that blew round Woodstock Park all afternoon.

With both sides eyeing the higher positions in the table, it was perhaps inevitable that the opening would be cagey, but with both teams cancelling each other out nearly completely, chances were at an absolute premium. Abdulla went closest for the home side with a low skidding drive that Ramsgate keeper Jacob Russell clawed away. The visitors had even less to show – indeed Callum Pack’s shot high over after a sweeping move was it for the Rams.

The second half began in the same fashion – tense, tight yet surprisingly intriguing! The home side continued to have the better half chances – Johan Caney-Bryan headed Abdulla’s cross over after beating Russell to the centre, Tyler Christian-Law poked an effort wide and then Sam Flisher’s pile driver left Russell motionless as the ball whistled into the trees beyond the terracing.

Yet in a rare counter, Ramsgate almost broke the dead-lock – Prescott pounced on a defensive clearance and hit a sweat strike which looked goal bound until Flisher threw himself in the balls way and the chance was gone much to the relief of the Brickies back-line who had looked stretched for the first time in the game.

Flisher’s great personal performance was then so nearly capped off with a winner as his driven ball into the box saw Russell have to take airborne action to deny three red & black shirts hurtling into the back post.

Overall, a game dominated by both sides defensive formations which meant that honours were just about even after a game that won’t live too long in the memory but as for the point each side prised out of each other, who knows just how important it may prove to be in the warmer climate come May…

SITTINGBOURNE – Brooks, Okoye, Fisher, Dasho, Christian-Law, Pont, Acheampong (Alex Flisher), Sam Flisher, Rowland, Abdulla (Stannard), Caney-Bryan (Hawkins)

Subs – Bancroft, Girt

RAMSGATE – Russell, Aboagye, Coyle, Ajayi, Fitchett, Olopade, Peck, Prescott, McIntyre, Miller, Jadama

Subs – Kennelly, Maher, Medhurst, Cotton, Baker-Moran

REFEREE – Mr Doyle