Sittingbourne 3-1 Chatham Town

The midfielder-cum-striker has now scored seven goals in his last five games since partnering Mark Lovell, who scored the other goal, in attack. 

The Brickies have now won their last three games to climb into thirteenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table but Chatham Town are still involved in a relegation dog-fight.
 
Manager Phil Miles is forced to rely on youngsters with key players out.
 
Only goalkeeper John Whitehouse, skipper Tom Binks and midfielder Steve Best have experience within this young side.
 
Chatham were without Danny Larkin and Ross Finn, who were playing for the reserves today, Darren Smith (serving the last of his three match ban), Tyran James (groin), Danny White (groin) and Drew Watkins has received news that he won’t play again this season due to his ankle ligament injury.
 
Sittingbourne welcomed back Kieran Marsh from his holiday and with ten-goal striker Andy Doerr out for the rest of the season with a broken leg, Browning is relishing his new role.
 
Browning opened the scoring after 14 minutes from the penalty spot after he was upended by Whitehouse, after a move involving Hicham Akhazzan and Steve Searle on the left hand side.
 
Browning stepped up to slam his right-footed spot-kick straight down the middle as the former Tunbridge Wells goalkeeper dived to his left.
 
With the jubilant vocal home supporters chanting derogatory songs about Chatham throughout the game, their side squandered an excellent chance after 23 minutes to put the game beyond Chatham’s reach.
 
Marsh beat the offside trap and only had Whitehouse to beat but his left-footed shot from 25-yards agonisingly skimmed past the foot of the left upright.
 
But Lovell showed his team-mate how it’s done by scoring his 13^th goal of the season after 28 minutes.
 
Midfielder Anthony Hogg looped his left-footed free-kick into the penalty area from just inside the Chatham half and Lovell stroked his right-footed shot from six yards across the goalkeeper, which  clipped the foot of the far post before finding the back of the net.
 
Chatham, with seven wins under their belts, now faced an uphill struggle in the cold, wet, blustery conditions but they did come close later in the half.
 
Shane Suter’s second corner of the game was hooked back into the goalmouth by former Faversham Town centre back James Holder but front man Gavin Schulz nodded wide.
 
A lot of pressure hangs on the young shoulders of eighteen-year-old striker Rob Denness, with eleven goals this season, and his right-footed volley from twenty yards was never going to beat Sittingbourne goalkeeper Josh Willis.
 
Jim Lyons then exchanged a one-two with Best but his right-footed curling shot from twenty-yards was comfortably saved by Willis.
 
Denness got on the end of a left-wing cross from Suter but sent his 51^st minute header over the bar from six-yards out.
 
And five minutes later Suter’s fifth corner was flicked on by Best but Sam Groombridge, who came up from his defensive duties, flicked the ball over.
 
Lovell, meanwhile, missed a sitter from just three yards out when he blazed over a low centre from substitute Jon Neal.
 
But Sittingbourne scored their third goal with 22 minutes remaining through Browning’s tenth goal of the season.
 
Whitehouse dived to parry Browning’s initial shot but the in-form Brickie found the bottom far corner following a deflected shot off Groombridge.
 
Denness’ left-footed half volley brought a fine save from Willis and with all three substitutes on the pitch, Chatham rallied late on.
 
Substitute Craig Govey, 19, was rewarded for his persistence as Chatham scored a consolation goal with eight minutes left.
 
The teenager charged down Willis’ clearance and the ball ricochet off him and bounced into the empty net.
 
Another substitute, Tyrone Walker, came close to scoring late on when he made Willis make a low save at the near post.

Sittingbourne manager Steve Lovell, meanwhile, praised Browning after the game.
 
“He’s done well since we’ve chucked him up front,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after their eleventh win of the season.
 
“He’s showed today he’s got great touch and he’s only a young lad but he’s got an eye for goal.
 
“I think him and Mark up front have got a good rapport at the moment and they’re both scoring goals and that’s the main thing.”
 
Miles added: “I just felt we made two mistakes and it cost us two goals.
 
“Yes, Sittingbourne could have had a hat-full and it could have got really embarrassing today.”
 
More reaction to follow.
 
Sittingbourne:  Josh Willis, Toby Ashmore (Lee Hockey 66), Joe Dowley, Paul Ainsworth, James Campbell, Kieran Marsh, Anthony Hogg, Steve Searle (Tristan Knowles 79), Mark Lovell, Lee Browning, Hickam Akhazzan (Jon Neal 58).
Subs: Sabeur Trabelsi, Steve Williams.
 
Goals: Lee Browning 14 (pen), 68, Mark Lovell 28
 
Chatham Town: John Whitehouse, Tom Binks, Bradley King, Sam Groombridge, James Holder, Steve Best, Jim Lyons, Mark Brooks (Rob Goodger 76), Gavin Schulz (Tyrone Walker 76), Rob Denness, Shane Suter (Craig Govey 68).
Sub: Glen Winter-Nolan.
 
Goal: Craig Govey 83
 
Booked: Shane Suter 62, Bradley King 86
 
Attendance: 203
Referee: Mr Paul Toyer (Luton, Bedfordshire)
Assistants: Mr Kevin Welsh (Maidstone) & Mr Paul Kelly (Gillingham)