We just thought we needed to change it up slightly, says Sittingbourne joint-boss Nick Davis

SITTINGBOURNE joint-manager Nick Davis says a change in formation has helpd his side remain unbeaten over the festive period.


The Brickies were held to a goal-less draw at home to neighbours Faversham Town on Boxing Day, before they came back from Walton & Hersham with a 4-0 win just 48 hours later.

Ryan Golding scored a hat-trick at Stompond Lane, with Joe Taylor also getting on the scoresheet.

“With the Three Bridges game called off on the 21^st, we had to wait to Boxing Day to play our derby against Faversham,” said central defender Davis.

“I thought it was a good game considering the conditions. We shaded the first half and Faversham the second, with us probably having the best chances.”

The weather conditions have been gruelling for players, especially playing two games on sticky pitches in such a short space of time.

“We played some great football on again a difficult surface at Walton & Hersham on Saturday,” said Davis.

“We changed the formation in the Faversham game, which was a massive decision by Matt (Wyatt) and myself as we have had a lot of joy for the past eighteen months playing the same way.

“We just thought we needed to change it up slightly to make us harder to break down and hopefully still be a threat.

“And as you can see we kept two clean sheets in both and looked really solid which was most pleasing.

“Ryan Golding and Joe Taylor were unplayable at Walton, but our midfield should take just as much credit.”

Sittingbourne are in seventeenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table with 27 points from 22 games.

The Brickies travel to Whitstable Town on New Year’s Day and are looking for some revenge after Nicky Southall’s side came away from Woodstock with a thumping 5-1 win in The FA Trophy Preliminary Round back on 5 October.

The Oystermen went on to enjoy an eight-match epic run in the competition, which was ended by a fluke last-gasp goal in the Second Round, which saw Conference South side Ebbsfleet United win 2-1 at The Belmont.

Whitstable Town went down to a 1-0 home defeat to Hythe Town on Saturday, the winning goal coming from a long-range strike from James Morrish agaisnt his former club.

“We have now played all the teams at the top and now find ourselves against all the teams around us,” said Davis.

“We can’t wait for the Whitstable game to come around as we owe them big time!

“They had a great run in the Trophy and are very hard to beat so it will be very difficult.”

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

Whitstable Town  v  Sittingbourne
Ryman League Division One South
Wednesday 1^st January 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 4LN