You can’t beat a game under floodlights and this was a cracker. What a change from Saturday when Sittingbourne looked lethargic, this time the players gave their all playing with 10 men for 78 minutes after Salvyn Kisitu was sent off for a rash challenge with just 12 minutes on the clock.
The 10 responded magnificently and it never looked like 10 against 11 as the Ashford team, fielding a number of ex Brickies, were constantly frustrated by dogged defensive work. The Brickies even took a 29th minute lead when, following a corner, Kane Rowland shrugged off a defender and rose to head past Sam Mott in the Ashford goal.
In front of another good-sized crowd, this time 240, several Brickies had their best game for the club so far. Keeper Jordan Perrin was outstanding and made several brilliant saves whilst Lex Allan looked back to be his old commanding self that amongst others Roy Hodgson had admired. But all of the players deserved credit for this dogged performance.
Corey Walters Wright was unavailable for this one so Harry Goodger tool the captain’s armband and he too played a captain’s part. Changes from Saturday were that Conrad Lee was rested whilst Johan Caney Bryan was on the bench, Jack Hanson and Harry Miller taking their places in the starting line-up.
Ashford drew level on 39 minutes when ex Brickies Jono Richardson and Ben Gorham combined, Richardson poking the ball to Gorham inside the Brickies area, Gorham firing the ball past Perrin. This didn’t deflate Sittingbourne though and another Rowland headed goal from a corner just before half time gave the Brickies an unlikely lead.
Ashford’s frustration at not being able to take advantage of their extra man was beginning to show, and ex Brickie Tom Fagg was lucky not to have been booked for kicking the ball away after showing petulance in the first half.
Ashford drew level when Ryan Palmer, coming on as a sub in an unfamiliar role, gave away a penalty with just 9 minutes of normal time to go, Bode Anidugbe converted but Perrin was oh so close getting to it.
The referee played 7 minutes added on time but Sittingbourne’s game management at the end of the match meant that their goal was never troubled again and although only gaining a draw it felt like a victory.
Sittingbourne: Jordan Perrin, Dan Stubbs (Ryan Palmer 76 mins), Salvyn Kisitu (Red), George Monger, Freeman Rogers, Lex Allan, Jack Hanson (James Witt 76 mins), Andrew Drury, Kane Rowland, Harry Goodger (Vance Bola 86 mins), Harry Miller.
Subs not used: Johan Caney-Bryan, Enoch Adjei.
Ashford United: Sam Mott, Theo Osinfolarin, Tariq Ossai, Josh Wisson (Benjamin Binder 67 mins), Jon Richardson, Ben Gorham, Bode Anidugbe, Tom Fagg, Adrian Stone (Tashi Kwayle 67 mins), Johan Ter Host, Jack Steventon.
Subs not used: Jack Miles, Luke Burdon, Lee Hook.
Match officials: Referee Nicholas Dunn, Assistants Richard Joss, Tom George
PITCHING IN Isthmian League South East
Sittingbourne 2 (2) (Rowland 28 & 45 mins) Ashford United 2 (1) (Gorham 39 mins, Anidugbe 81 mins (Pen)
Attendance 240