metp150915.pdf

Match Reports by
Saturday 5th September 2015
Ryman League South
Sittingbourne 3 Guernsey 2
Att 113
Tony Rickson
These are exciting times to be following Sittingbourne
as they stormed back from twodown
to record a first ever win over bogey
side Guernsey.
That’s four wins in a row for Sittingbourne,
the best such run for five years, with a performance
that showed guts and determination
to turn it around.
Guernsey beat them twice last season and
looked sure to go on and do it again as they
built up an early two-goal lead.
But Sittingbourne, revived by what was obviously
a dressing room dressing-down at halftime,
thrillingly fought back and Fred Obasa
got his first ever goal for the club to clinch a
memorable win.
You had to feel sorry for Guernsey, who were
playing their fifth game on the mainland in a
fortnight, with their tiredness showing through
before a late rally almost brought them an
equaliser.
Sittingbourne made two changes from the
team that won well at Ramsgate on Bank
Holiday Monday. With Nick Davis and Ollie
Bankole out, teenager Jack Steventon returned
in defence and Obasa’s impressive
substitute appearances rewarded him with a
starting place.
On a drizzly, chilly sort of day, Sittingbourne
started well and Harry Smith twice went close
early on, the second time with a header from
close-in that he somehow sent straight into
the keeper’s arms.
Guernsey took the lead out of the blue after
nine minutes, McGrath’s shot from a low leftwing
cross taking a deflection to wrongfoot
keeper Adam Molloy.
The transformation brought about by the goal
was amazing. Sittingbourne seemed to immediately
lose their verve and purpose, while
Guernsey, who have been struggling for results
recently, were suddenly full of confidence
as they stroked the ball around.
And it was no surprise their domination gave
them a second goal just after the half-hour
when another left-wing cross was anticipated
at the near post by Heaume, who dashed in
to score from close range.
Sittingbourne needed to get one back before
half-time and that’s just what they did when
Tom Brunt received a return pass from the
excellent Jono Richardson and the ever-alert
Hicham Akhazzan met his near post pass to
score comfortably.
It was a different Sittingbourne who came out
for the second half, playing with pace and
positivity and simply sweeping Guernsey
aside.
They soon got on level terms, Smith using
the back of his head to score from
Akhazzan’s well-flighted corner, Sittingbourne
looking a threat at all set pieces
with their extra height.
A winner looked on the cards so well were
Sittingbourne playing and they got it halfway
through the half when Akhazzan showed all
his experience and trickery to jink his way into
the area before crossing to the far post
where Obasa’s hard work was rewarded by
scuffing in his first goal for the club.
Sittingbourne could easily have added further
goals, so on top were they throughout the
second half, but Guernsey threw caution to
the wind in the last few minutes.
Molloy made two excellent saves but by far
the closest they got was in the 89th minute
when Richardson’s attempted clearance flew
the wrong way and thudded back off the join
of bar and post.
So Sittingbourne were through to a first ever
win over Guernsey, at the fifth attempt, and
an encouraging fourth win on the trot.
Sittingbourne: Molloy, Brunt, Lee, Steventon,
Crimmen, Richardson, Wright (Williams
78 mins), Cornwell, Smith, Obasa, Akhazzan
That’s three wins out of four games for Sittingbourne
now as they begin their climb up
the table after a slow start to the season