Sittingbourne scored three goals in ten second half minutes and came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in turn ending their 580 minute goal-drought and a five game losing streak.
On a day where fixtures across the south-east were decimated due to the weather, Whyteleafe’s 3G artificial surface reaped its reward as Sittingbourne won for the first time since 6th December in front of the biggest league crowd this season at Church Road.
The Brickies’ started the game positively and were unlucky not to take an early lead when David Abe headed in an inviting diagonal ball by Captain Tom Brunt – Abe flagged offside at the back post.
Sadly for the visitors, that was as good as it got in the opening forty-five minutes as the hosts dominated with Sittingbourne unable to cope with the pace and work-rate of Roscoe D’Sane and Greg Andrews.
Just before the quarter hour mark, Whyteleafe took the lead. A reverse pass found D’Sane all alone on the left edge of the penalty area where he unleashed a first time strike into the roof of the net giving ‘keeper Adam Molloy no chance.
D’Sane’s strike partner Andrews missed a glorious chance to extend the lead when unmarked 20yds out in front of goal but for Molloy racing off his line tipping Andrews’ effort wide.
Whyteleafe captain Dylan Merchant missed a good chance but showed little composure, blazed over from close range with the goal at his mercy.
Molloy’s hands were soon kept warm once again with the hosts swiftly counter-attacking a Sittingbourne free kick with Andrews’ half volley well held by the visiting custodian.
Moments later The Brickies’ defence went missing as Andrews missed two chances in quick succession – Firstly breaking Sittingbourne’s attempted offside trap and then shooting wide from range.
Sittingbourne’s high line and poorly executed offside trap once again haunted them with Whyteleafe’s Sam Clayton this time in on goal but Molloy once again came to The Brickies’ rescue saving well and low to his left – The visitors were certainly hanging on thanks to the heroics of their ‘keeper.
On the brink of half time Sittingbourne conjured a shot on goal of their own but Ollie Bankole’s effort on the right corner of the penalty area was blazed over the bar.
Sittingbourne’s hopes of getting back into the game were scuppered shortly into the second period as Andrews scored a deserved goal low into Molloy’s left corner and The Brickies’ were soon hanging on with two more home chances in quick succession – First Jensen Grant headed over when well placed in front of goal followed by a last-ditch interception by Lee Pleau which without it would have given D’Sane the simplest of tap-ins – From the resulting corner Merchant firmly headed towards goal but the inspired Molloy clawed the ball out saving low to his right.
Either side of another important save by Molloy, The Brickie’s began to made an impression on the game as, picking up a loose ball just inside the hosts’ half, Bankole marauded forward but his shot from range was deflected narrowly over the crossbar followed by the tall Harry Smith showing great feet, directing a left sided cross cheekily towards goal, only to find Sheikh Ceesay aware of the impending danger diving low to his left to push the ball wide.
Andrews continued to cause Sittingbourne’s defence concern, first laying off a ball from the by-line to the advancing Clayton only for Molloy to once again prove difficult to beat diving to his left and then more spectacularly Andrews crashed a 30yd free kick against the underside of Molloy’s crossbar – The ‘keeper unable to get near it.
With twenty minutes remaining The Brickies’ made a breakthrough but who was to know the impact it would have on the overall proceedings…
Picking up a loose ball 30yds out, George Crimmen’s shot at goal was pushed wide for a corner by Ceesay – From the resulting corner Jono Richardson’s goal-bound header was cleared off the line but the ball, played immediately back into the danger area, was flicked in from close range by Harry Smith – Sittingbourne’s goal-drought finally ended after 580 minutes.
The game was turned on its head as The Brickies’ then equalised – Abe’s low shot from the edge of the box was saved by Ceesay but the home sides ‘keeper could only direct the ball into the path of substitute Gary Webb who had the simplest of opportunities to poke home
The game soon took a final dramatic twist as the visitors took the lead, scoring their third goal of the game inside ten frantic minutes – The diminutive Webb pounced on a loose ball in front of goal after good work on the left
Shell-shocked, Whyteleafe tried all they could to get back on terms but The Brickies’ showed great resolution and determination to block them out although in injury time substitute Shawn Lyle’s curling effort, seemingly heading for the top corner, was once again diverted from goal by the magnificent Molloy – The ‘keeper more than deserving of any plaudits with a truly inspired goalkeeping display giving his team-mates the foundations for today’s unexpected victory.
Whyteleafe: Ceesay, Kenlock, Penfold (Lyle, 84), Patterson-Bohner, Merchant ©, Pykes, Fowler, Grant, D’Sane, Andrews, Clayton (Pratt, 74)
Sub not used: Kember
Goals: D’Sane (14), Andrews (48)
Sittingbourne: Molloy, Brunt ©, Richardson, Pleau, Crimmen, Bankole, P. Smith, Brown (Nwoko, 90), H. Smith, Cornwell (Webb, 58), Abe (Harden, 84)
Subs not used: Akhazzan, Davis
Goals: H. Smith (71), Webb (76, 81)
Referee: Mr Alex Neil
Assistants: Mr Damith Bandara and Mr Michael Coen
Att: 306