Crowborough Athletic 2-3 Sittingbourne - Milton quits to find regular football

CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC 2-3 SITTINGBOURNE
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 9^th December 2008
John Pitts reports from Alderbrook

SITTINGBOURNE continued their remarkable away record - with a win at relegation threatened Crowborough Athletic last night.

The Brickies were without Ian Varley (away at Lilishall) and Mark Green. Dave Milton was also missing from the squad as he told manager Gary Abbott that he would like to seek another club as he was not happy at being substitute.

The early running in this game in freezing cold conditions was made by Crowborough but without really threatening Matt Reeds goal.

That was until the 16th minute when Daniel Evans sent in a low cross from the left. Sittingbourne defenders were conspicuous by their absence and Sam Carrington ran in to put a low drive past Reed and into the Bourne net.

This livened up Sittingbourne and they went on to have a fair bit of possession and the lead lasted for six minutes.

Sittingbourne had a corner that was taken by Colin Richmond. A neat move that is obviously practiced on the training ground saw Nick Reeves head the ball on into the Crowborough penalty area where an onrushing Matt Bourne headed the ball bullet like into the net.

The hard working Tom Bradbrook was next to get a chance on goal. The former Dartford striker raced away, leaving most of the defenders in his wake. His shot, though, lacked power and Oldroyd in the Crowborough goal, just managed to get a hand to the shot and push the ball wide of his goal.

After 63 minutes Richmond took a corner that was a copy of the one that saw the Brickies equalise. This time Reeves headed the ball onto Richard Brady. Brady passed the ball back to Reeves and he blasted it into the corner of the net to give Sittingbourne the lead.

There were then two chances in quick succession for Sittingbourne when Brady used his undoubted skill to get away from two close marking defenders but his shot went wide of the far post.

Then, Bourne had a free header from a corner but it lacked pace and direction.

Sittingbourne were now playing some fine football along the ground and looked like increasing their lead but it was Crowborough who struck next.

Former Tonbridge Angels player Luke Piscina crossed from the left and Joe Dowley had the misfortune to dive to head it clear but he misjudged this and ended up nestling in the back of Sittingbourne's goal.

However the ever watchful Brady brilliantly anticipated a back pass from a Crowborough defender and nipped in before the keeper could get to it. Brady then expertly chipped the ball into the net over the on rushing keeper. A truly magnificent goal.

The last ten minutes or so saw chances for both teams. Crowborough's Piscina headed over when in a good position and following a foul on the edge of the Brickies penalty area by Kayembe, the Brickies wall charged down the free kick. The ball rebounded to Carrington who drove his shot straight at Reed.

For Sittingbourne, substitute Kayembe had two powerful drives pushed away by the Crowborough keeper.

This was a good display by the Brickies against a Crowborough side that look much better than their position would suggest. This leaves Sittingbourne only one point away from the play off places with games in hand over some of those above them.

Sittingbourne welcome Merstham to Bourne Park on Saturday, 3pm.

Sittingbourne: Matt Reed, Rob Andrews, Joe Dowley, Matt Bourne, Billy Manners, Rio Alderton (Joe Plant 9, Joe Horlock 46), Colin Richmond, Nick Reeves, Tom Bradbrook, Richard Brady (Elie Kayembe 85), Hickham Akhazzan.
Subs: Ben Payne, Andre Marques

Attendance: 83