Sittingbourne are still on the road to Wembley but what a fright they had from Littlehampton from the Sussex League.

Littlehampton’s team arrived at the ground 45 minutes before kick off & they came out of the blocks quickly & in the 3^rd minute a long ball forward saw Nick Davis slip letting Ben Grey in & he shot past Adam Molloy.

In the 12^th minute it could have been two as Scott Packer received the ball on the right & weaved his way past three defenders before shooting but it was deflected for a corner.

Sittingbourne’s first chance came in the 18^th minute when good interplay between Ryan Goulding, Joe Taylor & Nick Davis who’s shot from 25 yards went wide but in the next minute they had equalised when a cross to the far post found Hicham Akhazzan free & his header went into the net.

Another chance came in the 21^st minute when Taylor crossed into the middle of the area & Davis rose but could not direct his header wide of Josh Hendrick who saved easily.

Sittingbourne were now on the front foot & in the 25^th minute a free kick into Akhazzan’s feet who then released Anthony John & his low cross into the area forced Hendrick to push it away from goal under pressure.

Two minutes later a long ball forward found Taylor who from 20 yards saw his shot pushed away by Hendrick & then in the 34^th minute Sittingbourne took the lead when Hendrick under pressure saw his clearance come straight back & Taylor in the area beat the onrushing Hendrick & dinked it over him & into the net.

Littlehampton not feeling sorry for themselves got back into the game in the 39^th minute when Grey passed inside the full back for Packer who’s first time shot was half saved by Molloy & came out to Grey who smashed the ball into the empty net.

The second half started with Littlehampton taking control without really causing any problems as in the 54^th minute Grey’s shot from 25 yards was tipped over the bar by Molloy, in the 67^th minute George Crimmen saw his shot deflected for a corner in a rare Sittingbourne attack.

In the 83^rd minute Alex Kew went on a mazy run down the right flank & his cross found Grey but his shot went just past the post, then two minutes later Littlehampton maybe should have taken the lead when Grey on the right saw his cross punched away by Molloy but strait to Packer who from 8 yards shot wide with the goal gaping.

In the time added on Littlehampton had a couple of half chances but wasted them & then the sucker punch as a Sittingbourne corner went into the area before being half cleared to Luke Girt who headed back into the area where Jamie Thompson lunged in & gave a penalty away.

Goulding stepped up & with £3000 on this he coolly shot straight down the middle to win the game for the Brickies.

 

SITTINGBOURNE:

1. A.MOLLOY 2. L.DOHERTY 3. A.JOHN (40) 4. N.DAVIS 5. G.CRIMMEN 6. N.DUNSDON

7.   J.TAYLOR  8. L.GIRT  9. R.GOULDING  10. N.TREADWELL (68) 11. H.AKHAZZAN (83)

 

SUBS USED: 14. C.COYNE (83) 15. S.HAYES (40) T.LOYNES ( 68)

SUBS NOT USED: 12. J.HOGG 17. M.BROWN 18. T.BRUNT 19. H.JALLOH

 

BOOKED:  L.GIRT (30)  J.TAYLOR (56) C.COYNE (88)

 

LITTLEHAMPTON TOWN:

1. J.HENDRICK  2. S.WIGGINS  3. M.HAND 4. H.CONSTABLE 5. R.McKAY 6. J.THOMPSON

7. B.GREY 8. G. PETERS 9. M.BURGESS (63) 10. J.JARVIS (72) 11. S PACKER

 

SUBS USED: A KEW (63) A.KEW (72)

SUBS NOT USED: 12. J.BATES 16. J.GURNOW 17. D.GASKIN 18 J.ASKEW

 

BOOKED: J.THOMPSON (25) M.BURGESS (43) J.JARVIS (37) D.SIMMONDS (68,86)

SENT OFF: TWO YELLOW CARDS: D.SIMMONDS

 

REFEREE: Mr D.COOK

ASSISTANTS: Mr D SKIPPER  Mr M.POND

ATTENDANCE: 142