Ahmed Abdulla scored two contenders for Goal of the Season in the final minutes as Sittingbourne beat Whitehawk in the Woodstock fog.

After a blank first half where both sides created chances to break the deadlock, the opening goal finally arrived as the fog got to its thickest halfway through the second period as Abdulla’s quick corner found Harrison Pont who scored magnificently – hammering home into the bottom corner after some great close control.

Just as it seemed that the home side would edge the points with just a solitary goal, a moment of brilliance from Abdulla saw his magnificently lob the ball home from the edge of the centre circle before he sealed the points with a stunning low drive into the bottom corner with the keeper motionless.

In between Abdulla’s magical moments Javaun Splatt bundled home for the visitors to potentially make it a nervy finale for the home side but it really was too late for Whitehawk.

The home side went into the game with just three on the bench as COVID protocols were followed on a day when many games were postponed meaning Darren Blackburn was forced to reshuffle his side and formation with Alex Flisher starting a League game for the club for the first time as Sam Flisher made way. 

Kane Rowland has the first chance of the game and really should have opened the scoring when clean through whilst at the other end, Harry Brooks did well to keep out James Fraser’s low drive and Henry Muggeridge was denied on the rebound.

Splatt then missed the chance of the half as he raced through and as Brooks came out to narrow the angle, the Whitehawk striker blazed high and wide. Sam Okoye and Johan Caney-Bryan both had chances to create something for the home side as both centred brilliantly but without being able to find a colleague.

The second half began with the home side well and truly on top and Rowland was desperately unlucky not to break the deadlock from fully forty yards as his lob forward totally deceived Whitehawk keeper Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke, who was so relieved to see the ball thud off the left post and go behind. Rowland went close again moments later when Caney-Bryan did well to direct Abdulla’s free-kick in his direction, but the Sittingbourne skipper couldn’t keep the shot down.

Sub Jed Smith – on for the unlucky Alex Flisher who injured a shoulder in the gathering gloom – was next to try his luck as he thundered a shot just too high as the home side began to think it wasn’t going to be their day.

Splatt was the only visitor causing the home side problems and from a great mazy run created chances for an effort on goal – however he got the shot horribly wrong, and the ball disappeared into the woodland outside the ground!

And how he was made to regret that clear chance as Abdulla spotted a great run made by Pont into space at a corner, and with space, the young defender made room for himself brilliantly before beating the keeper low to his right for his second goal of the season.

Splatt was the only visitor causing the home side problems and from a great mazy run created chances for an effort on goal – however he got the shot horribly wrong, and the ball disappeared into the woodland outside the ground!

With the mist descending rapidly as the game reached its conclusion, out of absolutely nothing Abdulla magnificently – there really is no other way to describe it – spotted the Whitehawk keeper well off his line and from inside the centre circle lobbed home his sixth goal of the season in stunning style.

Just as Sittingbourne thought the points were secure, Splatt did finally beat Brooks at the other end to threaten a nervy stoppage time for the hosts! But the home faithful needn’t have bothered for as the ball came in from the Brickies left, Abdulla took and rifled a truly stunning strike that arrowed past a statuesque Stroomberg-Clarke into the bottom corner for a glorious seventh goal of the season to extend the home sides good home League form to just one defeat in nine!

SITTINGBOURNE – Brooks, Okoye, Dasho, Christian-Law (Sam Flisher), Pont, Fisher, Alex Flisher (Smith), Stannard (Bancroft), Rowland, Abdulla, Caney-Bryan

Subs – all used

WHITEHAWK – Stroomberg-Clarke, Kamara, Emberson, Freeman, Malins, El-Ahd, Muggeridge, Lawson, Splatt, Fraser, Gregory

Subs – Munt, Blackmore, Kama, Ramsis, Redwood

REFEREE – Mr Wilson