Sittingbourne finished 2016 with defeat in a thoroughly entertaining match in which the majority of the Hastings supporters asked how they had won.

With the attendance of 237, this was not only the biggest of the season but the biggest since they have been playing their home games at Woodstock Park.

Hastings came out of the blocks the quickest and in the 4^th minute Matt Bodkin on the left crossed low for Harry Stannard but from 10 yards he shot wide. On nine minutes another chance came their way when Stannard received the ball on the right cut inside but shot over the bar.

In the 18^th minute Sittingbourne took the lead with their first real chance when Hitcham Akhazzan’s corner into the six yard box was punched clear by Lenny Pidgley but only went to Connor Wilkins whose volley from 15 yards flew into the net. This gave confidence to Sittingbourne as they started to create chances and in the 26^th minute Akhazzan in the area went to the by-line before crossing low into the six yard box where Anthony O’Conor was but under pressure he shot over the bar.

Then in the 34^th minute O’Connor down the left saw his low cross arrived at Remill Davis’s feet but his turn and shot went wide. In the 36^th minute Hastings equalised when a long diagonal ball found Bodkin on his own and from the left wing he cut inside and his shot deflected into the path of Frannie Collin who controlled it and drilled home from 8 yards.

In time added on at the end of the half Hastings had two half chances to take the lead firstly Collin received the ball 15 yards out on the right in the area but his shot was saved by Simon Overland then a Collin corner to the back post found Richard Davis but his header went wide.

The second half saw Sittingbourne enjoy possession and in the 53^rd minute they regained the lead when great passing around 25 yards out ended with Akhazzan playing in Tom Carlse who once in the area jinked inside and shot home.

A minute later Stefan Wright in the area saw his shot saved by Pidgeley. Hastings had a chance to equalise in the 59^th minute when Bodkin passed to Jack Harris in the area but he shot wide from 15 yards. In the 62^nd minute Bourne should have increased their lead Remill Davis had two one on one’s with Pidgeley 10 yards out but both time Pidgeley saved with his legs this would prove to be significant, in the 67^th minute a Akhazzan free kick was headed goal wards by Carsle but was saved by Pidgeley.

In the 72^nd minute Hastings equalised when Substitute Kienan Hughes-Mason on the edge of the area put Stannard in and from six yards he shot home. A minute later and it could have been Bourne ahead when Substitute Bradley Schafer on the left crossed into the area where Josh Wisson saw his header go straight at Pidgeley, either side a goal. Two minutes later a free kick into the Hastings area was headed on and Remill Davis from 8 yards shot over the bar.

Three minutes later and Hastings took the lead when a free kick into the area came out to Hughes-Mason who from 18 yards curled his shot into the net. Two minutes later with Sittingbourne trying to get an equalise Bodkin broke away went into the area but shot across the goal and then in the 87^th minute Hastings made sure of the points when that man Bodkin put Hughes-Mason through and he lobbed Overland from 15 yards.

To be fair to Sittingbourne they kept going and in the second minute of added time Wright passed out wide for Jake Embery but his shot went wide and in the last minute Bradley Pritchard went on a mazy run in the area and his shot fro0m 6 yards was blocked by Overland and cleared.

As the final whistle went the Sittingbourne supporters could be proud of their team as they are in 11^th position having a great season and still with plenty to play for.

Sittingbourne:

1. Overland 2. T.Brunt  3. T.Carlse  4. T.Carr  5.  J.Richardson  6. J.Loft  7. C.Wilkins (59)
2. S.Wright 9. A.O’connor (76)  10. R.Davis  11. H.Akhazzan (72)

Subs Used: 12. J.Wisson (59)  14. B.Schafer (72)  15. J.Embery (76)

Subs Not Used: 16. N.Davis

Bookings: 10. R.Davis (87)

Hastings United:

1. Pidgeley 2. R.Davis  3. M.Dickensen (83)  4. S.Crutwell  5. O.Rowe  6. S.Butcher  7. M.Bodkin (90)
2. S.Johnson 9. J.Harris (59)  10. F.Collin  11. H.Stannard

Subs Used: 12. K.Hughes-Mason (59)  14. B.Pritchard (83)  15. S.Dullaway (90)

Subs Not Used:  16. R.Nicholls

Bookings:  8. S.Johnson (32)  2. R.Davis (65)

Referee:  Mr I.Searle

Assistant Referee’s: Mr J.Howard  & Mr J.Whitworth