Post by oap on Feb 23, 2014 13:38:56 GMT
REPORT FROM THE SITTINGBOURNE WEB-SITE
SITTINGBOURNE 3 TOWN 0
Saturday 22nd February 2014
Att: 143
Match Sponsored by our president Alan Crowshaw
Ryan Golding smashed his third hat-trick in 12 games as Sittingbourne comfortably completed their first double of this Ryman League South season.
Victory over bottom club Eastbourne took in-form Sittingbourne's unbeaten run to eight games and lifted them into the top half of the league table for the first time this season.
And it settled a score as they left the Sussex town last month with a
4-2 win in the bag but furious at midfielder Luke Girt getting punched in the face in the players' tunnel after the game.
Sittingbourne were determined not to get drawn into any retaliation and their self-discipline showed in a bookings count of 4-0 for the visitors.
While the 3-3 draw four days previously with league leaders Peacehaven had plenty of drama and controversy, as well as some excellent football by both teams, this match was far lower key.
Sittingbourne did more than enough to win but while they'd impressively raised their game against Peacehaven, at times in this match they fell back to Eastbourne's level.
The visitors, showing nine changes from the team that lost at home to Sittingbourne last month, did quite well early on with goalkeeper Adam Molloy twice called into action.
But the Brickies went ahead on 20 minutes when Golding powered in a penalty after Stephen Okoh was brought down as he took on an Eastbourne defender on the outside.
Sittingbourne mixed up some smart attacking moves with some pretty ordinary play but were easily in control for the rest of the half, though Jono Richardson was off balance when he shot over the bar and Golding saw his shot deflected wide after a good break from defence.
It was the same story after the interval with sub Hicham Akhazzan heading wide from Ashley Ulph's left-wing cross and Joe Taylor, about to be overtaken by Golding as Sittingbourne's leading scorer this season, firing across the goal.
The game went flat, and Sittingbourne needed the security of a second goal, which Golding gave them in the 73rd minute. He flicked in after George Crimmen headed on an Akhazzan free-kick, a free-kick Sittingbourne hadn't originally wanted as the referee blew too quickly for a foul just as Taylor was bursting clear into the area.
Just four minutes later and it was all over, Golding turning quickly in the area on Taylor's pass to draw a clear foul from the covering defender. Golding successfully completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
With games coming thick and fast now the pitches are all playable again, Sittingbourne will have benefitted from not having to run themselves into the ground on the way to three of the easiest points they'll pick up this season.
Sittingbourne joint-manager Matt Wyatt said: "It was a good three points. We didn't play our best but we saw the game out and it was nice to get a clean sheet after the other night's game."
"We showed what a good side we are against Peacehaven and Nick and I were a bit worried about this game as it's often difficult when you play a team that's struggling and fighting for their lives.
"There's no love lost between the two clubs after what happened down there a few weeks ago but we told the players the best way to punish them was to get the three points. We wanted to do it by playing football and keeping our mouths shut."
"They caused us more problems at their place but this win was quite comfortable to be honest. But I don't want to talk about Eastbourne, I want to talk about Sittingbourne. We've got a young squad but we're very pleased with them and we just want to keep our unbeaten run going."
Tony Rickson
This was a game that we knew we would be fortunate to win any points from as Sittingbourne have had such good results of late. But our honeymoon period is now over and with 4 games in 8 days ,beginning next Saturday, 8 points is the least we must expect if we are to keep any hope of Ryman League football next season. There is also a very difficult cup-tie on Wednesday against runaway league leaders Peacehaven at the Saffrons.
SITTINGBOURNE 3 TOWN 0
Saturday 22nd February 2014
Att: 143
Match Sponsored by our president Alan Crowshaw
Ryan Golding smashed his third hat-trick in 12 games as Sittingbourne comfortably completed their first double of this Ryman League South season.
Victory over bottom club Eastbourne took in-form Sittingbourne's unbeaten run to eight games and lifted them into the top half of the league table for the first time this season.
And it settled a score as they left the Sussex town last month with a
4-2 win in the bag but furious at midfielder Luke Girt getting punched in the face in the players' tunnel after the game.
Sittingbourne were determined not to get drawn into any retaliation and their self-discipline showed in a bookings count of 4-0 for the visitors.
While the 3-3 draw four days previously with league leaders Peacehaven had plenty of drama and controversy, as well as some excellent football by both teams, this match was far lower key.
Sittingbourne did more than enough to win but while they'd impressively raised their game against Peacehaven, at times in this match they fell back to Eastbourne's level.
The visitors, showing nine changes from the team that lost at home to Sittingbourne last month, did quite well early on with goalkeeper Adam Molloy twice called into action.
But the Brickies went ahead on 20 minutes when Golding powered in a penalty after Stephen Okoh was brought down as he took on an Eastbourne defender on the outside.
Sittingbourne mixed up some smart attacking moves with some pretty ordinary play but were easily in control for the rest of the half, though Jono Richardson was off balance when he shot over the bar and Golding saw his shot deflected wide after a good break from defence.
It was the same story after the interval with sub Hicham Akhazzan heading wide from Ashley Ulph's left-wing cross and Joe Taylor, about to be overtaken by Golding as Sittingbourne's leading scorer this season, firing across the goal.
The game went flat, and Sittingbourne needed the security of a second goal, which Golding gave them in the 73rd minute. He flicked in after George Crimmen headed on an Akhazzan free-kick, a free-kick Sittingbourne hadn't originally wanted as the referee blew too quickly for a foul just as Taylor was bursting clear into the area.
Just four minutes later and it was all over, Golding turning quickly in the area on Taylor's pass to draw a clear foul from the covering defender. Golding successfully completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
With games coming thick and fast now the pitches are all playable again, Sittingbourne will have benefitted from not having to run themselves into the ground on the way to three of the easiest points they'll pick up this season.
Sittingbourne joint-manager Matt Wyatt said: "It was a good three points. We didn't play our best but we saw the game out and it was nice to get a clean sheet after the other night's game."
"We showed what a good side we are against Peacehaven and Nick and I were a bit worried about this game as it's often difficult when you play a team that's struggling and fighting for their lives.
"There's no love lost between the two clubs after what happened down there a few weeks ago but we told the players the best way to punish them was to get the three points. We wanted to do it by playing football and keeping our mouths shut."
"They caused us more problems at their place but this win was quite comfortable to be honest. But I don't want to talk about Eastbourne, I want to talk about Sittingbourne. We've got a young squad but we're very pleased with them and we just want to keep our unbeaten run going."
Tony Rickson
This was a game that we knew we would be fortunate to win any points from as Sittingbourne have had such good results of late. But our honeymoon period is now over and with 4 games in 8 days ,beginning next Saturday, 8 points is the least we must expect if we are to keep any hope of Ryman League football next season. There is also a very difficult cup-tie on Wednesday against runaway league leaders Peacehaven at the Saffrons.