It was déjà vu against this Whyteleafe side as Sittingbourne succumbed to a sucker punch to lose to a late goal
In the end the winning goal came from a defensive slip that let in the lively Ryan Gondoh who gave Jordan Perrin in the Brickies goal no chance.
There were two changes from the Whitehawk starting line up in this game, Nigel Neita made his first start for the Brickies and Cory Walters-Wright returned. Enoch Adjei and Ben Fitchett are both injured and Josh Oliver was rested.
For the most part it had been a good display by the Brickies who deserved something from this game against a physical Whyteleafe side. Unusually both the manager and assistant manager of Whyteleafe were yellow carded by the referee for dissent. The Leafe also finished with 10 men after Peter Wedgeworth was seen to kick out deep into time added on.
The Leafe started the liveliest of the two sides and their chief danger man, Ryan Gondoh, fired over from a good position on 6 minutes. As has happened on a number of occasions lately, even including the 7-0 thrashing of Ramsgate, Sittingbourne were slow starters. Johan Caney-Bryan was kept quiet with three Leafe players often on him.
Sittingbourne’s first threat came in the 19th minute when they had the ball in the net but the “goal” was disallowed for off-side. Tommie Fagg then saw his rasping shot fizz past the far post.
Another chance came to the Brickies just before half time with a free kick just outside the area after Caney-Bryan was fouled. Tom Fagg took the kick but the ball sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
Fagg was in action two minutes into the second half with a shot that was easily held by Leafe keeper Tyler McCarthy.
Sittingbourne were marginally on top and Caney Bryan’s cross was hacked away by a defender before it could cause any damage. But despite the Brickies looking to have an advantage a poor throw led to Whyteleafe hitting the post.
The last ten minutes saw chances to both sides, first of all a good run by Gondoh ended in a decent save from Perrin, then from a corner Cory Walters-Wright headed the ball wide of the Leafe’s goal.
Then came the slip that led to the goal and despite some 6 minutes of time added on there were no other chances. Sittingbourne slip to 14th Place in the division albeit just 8 points off of a play-off place. Whyteleafe remain in promotion contention in 4th place.
Sittingbourne: Jordan Perrin, Chris Webber, Jason Fregene, Cameron Brodie (Ikechi Eze 68 mins), Lex Allan, Cory Walters-Wright, Kane Phillip (Samuel Stace 80 mins), Tommie Fagg, Johan Caney-Bryan, Nigel Neita, James Witt (Chris Barnard 45 mins)
Subs not used: Will Holder, Sid Sollis
Whyteleafe: Tyler McCarthy, Emmanuel Mensah, Mathew O’Donoghue, Jamie McGeoghegan, Ricardo Thompson, Corey Holder, Ryan Gondoh (Lesley Duru 90 mins), Bentley Graham, Ronald Sobowale (Orome Zahi 90 mins) , Corie Andrews Freddie Parker 64 mins), Peter Wedgeworth.
Referee: Scott Rudd
Attendance: 164