Goals from Richie Hamill and Henry Sinai deservedly sent Isthmian League Sittingbourne into the last sixteen of the FA Trophy for the very first time in the Clubs one-hundred-and-forty-year history. 

The Brickies fully deserved to progress against their National League South opponents as the only shot that Salisbury mustered in the ninety minutes was their penalty in stoppage time as Ryan Maxwell’s side caused yet another upset in this season’s knock out competitions. 

In a tight opening half, the Brickies had the clearer chances with Troy Howards angled shot coming back off the inside of the right post with keeper Dan Lincoln beaten. Sinai then went close with a speculative drive that didn’t miss the post by much as the higher ranked visitors struggled to pressure the home goal with Jack Steventon and Chris Arthur outstanding at the heart of the defence. 

The start of the second period was delayed by nearly twenty minutes as one of the floodlight pylons needed rebooting, but when the half did start, Howard again went close with an angled drive that clipped the bar. 

The home side deservedly went in front four minutes after the break when Hamill’s drive was too much for Lincoln and the home faithful in the 700 plus crowd went wild. 

Salisbury made changes and tried to get a foot hold but there was no way through and when the home side did break, Ryan Kingsford’s efforts up front were exceptional. And from one such closing down, Joe Boachie lofted the ball over Lincoln only to see the ball bounce agonisingly wide. 

Progress was sealed in stoppage time and it was all Kingsford as he broke through from half way, Lincoln did well to force him wide, but the striker was so unselfish as he laid the ball back into Sinai’s path and the ball was hammered home. 

Salisbury pulled one back deep into added on time when Ronan Silva sent Harley Earle the wrong way from the spot after the two tangled, but almost immediately after the restart came the final whistle. 

A delighted Brickies boss admitted, “What a day for the Club and our supporters. I am extremely proud to be the manager of this fantastic football Club that has equally fantastic support. We were good value for the win, and we will take anyone next home or away!”  

Images courtesy of Ian Scammell