It’s no secret that in the dressing room afterwards I offered to resign, says Matt Wyatt

SITTINGBOURNE manager Matt Wyatt says he offered to resign following his side’s shock FA Cup exit yesterday.

The Brickies crashed out at the first hurdle going down 3-0 to Sussex County League side Dorking Wanderers in front of 112 fans at Woodstock Park in the Preliminary Round.

“We could easily have been one or two goals up but we then gave away a silly goal and the confidence drained away,” admitted Wyatt in an article published on the club’s website www.sittingbournefc.co.uk.  

“They only had three shots but they scored with all of them.  It was the same for Dorking as it was for us last season at Thamesmead in the Cup when we went ahead and grew in belief and determination to pull off a shock.

“What was so disappointing was that we lacked fight and passion and it was certainly one of the worst performances since I’ve been at Sittingbourne.

“I thought there was a weird atmosphere at the ground all the game and everything seemed to be lacking.

“The size of the crowd was disappointing, there was uncertainty caused by the approach for (goalkeeper) Adam Molloy and we lost a couple of players on the morning of the game.

“It’s no secret that in the dressing room afterwards I offered to resign but the players didn’t want me to so I will carry on.

“Some harsh words were said but we need to start preparing for the next game and the best thing they can do is just go out and play.”

Sittingbourne run with one of the smallest budgets in the Ryman League Division One South and the loss of the £1,925 prize money has hit the club hard.

Before their FA Cup exit the club were forced to release their physio from their duties due to the club’s precarious financial position.

Wyatt calls upon Sittingbourne fans who have turned their back on the club since vacating Bourne Park a little over a year ago to turn out in force to watch their Kent derby against Herne Bay on Tuesday night.

David Abe and tonsillitis victim Matt Harden, who had been ever-present this season, dropped out on the morning of Saturday’s game, but hope to be available for the Herne Bay game.

Beau Taylor and Mr Sittingbourne himself, Hicham Akhazzan are also back available.

Sam Denly’s side came away from Walton & Hersham with a 2-1 win to set-up a trip to Ryman Premier League side Tonbridge Angels in the next round of The FA Cup.

Wyatt said: “What we’ve been lacking is a settled team. It’s been one of our biggest problems.

“Finances have also been a problem. You try to build a team but it’s very easy to have players picked off by other clubs with bigger budgets.”

Sittingbourne are in eighth-place in the league table with 10 points from 6 games, while Herne Bay lie in eighteenth-place with 7 points.

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Sittingbourne  v  Herne Bay
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 2^nd September 2014
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Woodstock Park, Broadoak Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8AG