A second half collapse from Sittingbourne meant that Tooting and Mitcham took all three points on Saturday afternoon, meaning the Brickies were unable to work their way out of the relegation fight.

Having started the day in 19^th, Sittingbourne were looking for three points in their first home game of 2016 to take them further away from the relegation places as they searched for their first win since before Christmas. In comparison, Tooting and Mitcham were in a good run of form. Despite not playing since the week before Christmas, they had not lost any of their previous three games despite only finding themselves 16^th in the table. Brickies manager Nick Davies made three changes from his side’s 1-0 loss at Faversham earlier in the month; Billy French was replaced by George Crimmen whilst Dan Hughes and Callum Naessens took the places of Miles Cornwell and Tom Brunt.

Despite a quiet first twenty minutes the game picked up its pace.  The visitors took control thanks to Chase O’Neil as the attacker made numerous chances. First he set up Jae Baxter whose volley was blocked by Jack Steventon and soon after he cut inside onto his right foot before sliding a shot just wide of the near post.

The terrors continued to put pressure on Adam Molloy’s goal and the goalkeeper was left hapless after a quick passing move between Tenny Taiwo and Kurtis Pykes allowed a cross to find the head of Jordan Wilson but the winger’s header flew inches wide.

With half time drawing closer Sittingbourne began to work their way into the game. Dan Hughes was unable to convert Steven Ita’s cross from the left before Jordan Wells nearly made he most of a goalkeeping error, having seen Sheik Ceesay off his line the attacker attempted to place a looping shot, only to see it go wide.

Another momentum shift game Tooting another chance to open the scoring before half time but, after an impressive passing move, Serge Makofo slid a shot under Molloy, only for play to be called back for offside, meaning the sides went into half time level.

This didn’t last long into the second half though, as with only three minutes gone after half time the visitors took the lead. A long pass forward from the right wing caused trouble for Adam Molloy who came to claim the loose ball, only for Jake Baxter to latch onto it and clip the ball over Molloy.

Tooting doubled their lead soon after and Baxter was involved again. He ended a fantastic passing move with a shot which Molloy pushed wide, only for Serge Mokofo to convert the rebound to double his side’s lead.

Tooting’s dominance of the second half went on and, with time running out, they ended the game with a third goal. This time substitute matt Price found Jordan Wilson who hit an effort below Molloy’s body.

With Tooting’s confidence at a high, they went on looking for a fourth, but in injury time Marcel Barrington could only end his impressive attacking run by hitting the outside of the post after Price hit the bar with an inadvertent cross.

Luckily for the Brickies, the teams around then in the league table also failed to pick up points, meaning they remain in 19^th. They will now prepare for a league cup game against Corinthian Casuals in midweek before they travel to second placed Worthing.

Sittingbourne: Molloy, Naessens, Richardson, Steventon, Crimmen, Wisson, Wright (Lee), Bankole (Akhazzan), Wells (Kedze), Hughes, Ita

Subs not used: Algar, Davis

Tooting and Mitcham: Ceesay, Patterson- Bonner, Taiwo, Moraes, Simone (Roberts), Pykes, Wilson, Robinson, Baxter (Price), O’Neil, Makofo (Barrington)

Subs not used: Quintyne, Pierson

Referee: Mr M Ryan

Assistants: Mr J Walker and Mr S Hughes

Attendance: 137