lymington040904

Sittingbourne draw comfort in cup

Sittingbourne's build up to this match at began badly when they were delayed by traffic and arrived at the ground just 20 minutes before kick off.

They were playing a team who had defeated the current FA Vase holders, big spending Winchester City, just a week before whilst the Brickies came into this match on the back of five straight defeats, so the Linnetts were probably favourites to progress to the next round.

Lymington & New Milton, who reached the fourth qualifying round of this competition last season, were rocked after just 11 minutes when Bradley Spice pushed the ball past Darren Curtis only to be brought down by the same player in the  area.

Referee Mr McLaren had no hesitation in awarding a penalty which Spice coolly put away to give the Brickies an early lead. 

The Brickies were playing well but the Linnetts too looked dangerous with Michael Jackson, (no not that one), especially prominent, although James Campbell was making a good job of containing him.

Shane Campbell was using his speed well and he combined with Kieran Marsh to give a chance to Spice but the ball was booted off Spice foot.

On 22 minutes Sam Carter for the Linnetts broke away and unleashed a great shot which Fewell did well to palm away.

Then Fewell was in action again and turned a shot round a post. From the resulting corner Paul Towler seemed to have a clear heading opportunity but he missed the ball.

At the other end Dave Hassett was challenged by Jackson and the ball ricoched just wide of
the Linnetts goal.

Just as Sittingbourne were looking forward to taking the lead into the half time break the Linnetts won a corner. The ball was played to the edge of the penalty area to Jackson who neatly back heeled it goalwards. Fewell parried the ball away straight to a Lymington player and the ball was slipped through to Darren Curtis who fired it into the net.

Curtis looked a mile off-side but the assistant referee kept his flag down and the goal stood.

The Linnetts started strongly in the second half and on 51 minutes substitute Patrick James had a shot pushed out by Fewell but only as far as another Lymington player who blasted his shot just over the bar.

Just after this the busy Jackson had another effort blocked. Three minutes later a lightening cross to the Brickies far post was headed onto the bar by Crook.

Sittingbourne replaced Hassett and Spice with Jon Neal and David Cory and the fresh legs helped to steady the ship and Clint Gooding had a good effort which arched just wide of the Lymington goal.

However, Lymington were also still coming forward and Ben Thomson struck a shot from a good position into the side netting then Paddy James fired wide.

Sittingbourne though had weathered the storm and seemed to be lasting better than the new Forest side.

With just a minute to go Lady Luck again deserted the Brickies when Shane Campbell was blatantly pushed off the ball in the Lymington  area but the referee ignored the Brickies shouts for a penalty. At the other end Mark Clothier shot wide but time ran out for both teams and they now replay at Bourne Park to see who will play at Molesey on the 18th September.

Sittingbourne: Fewell, Taylor, Dowley, Gooding, J Campbell, Hill, S Campbell, Marsh, Hassett (Neal 57 mins), Spice (Cory 57 mins), Berry (Browning 82 mins), Subs: Douglas, Beeney