Erith & Belvedere 1 (1) -v- Sittingbourne 2 (1)

For the fourth game in a row, Sittingbourne found a stoppage time goal, on Saturday (22nd August) afternoon, this time to break the hearts of SCEFL Premier Erith & Belvedere who deserved a second crack at the Isthmian side after a terrific Cup-tie. 

For the fourth game in a row, Sittingbourne found a stoppage time goal, on Saturday (22nd August) afternoon, this time to break the hearts of SCEFL Premier Erith & Belvedere who deserved a second crack at the Isthmian side after a terrific Cup-tie. 

 The fact that they didn't - after Harvey Smith coolly put the visitors in front with his fourth goal of the season only for Clarance Tambe to quickly equalise - was down to Brickies keeper Jamie Grossart who made stunning saves to deny Freddie Fletcher, Jack Sammoutis, Jack Low and Casey Dudley before setting up Jordan Greenidge's stoppage time winner with a huge clearance. 

 But after all that had Darren Foxley not made a tie winning block from Dudley's saved shot, this one would have been headed for a midweek replay.  

Kicking down Park View Road’s slope in the opening half, the Brickies soon took control as Smith raced through onto a pass from Luke Woodward and slotted the ball through and under the advancing Danny Alexander to give the Isthmian side the lead. 

Grossart made his first save of the day – keeping out Low’s try – at one end, whilst Smith, Samson Uwandu and Kharvan Williams combined brilliantly only for Smith’s effort to be smothered and when Tambe cut in from the wing and left fly, the Brickies keeper was on hand to beat the ball away to safety. 

It wasn't safe though for Sittingbourne for long though as when a corner was recycled it was Tambe who stooped to conquer as the winger headed home the equaliser on the half hour. 

Quite how Grosshart then kept out Freddie Fletcher’s header probably only the Brickies keeper will now know as nearly as Fletcher had headed the ball he was turning away to acclaim the “goal” only for Grosshart to instinctively to plunge to his right to claw the ball out of harm's way. 

The Brickies started the second period as they had the first – on top – and Uwandu was denied by a brave Alexander. Williams curled an effort wide after great control from Kieron Agbebi; Williams then saw a diving header grabbed whilst at the other end Grosshart was at it again, making a fine two handed save to palm over Jack Sammoutis’s effort. 

Time ticked by and the replay was becoming most likely, but both sides were still straining to wind the winner. Jordan Greenidge powered Jean-Baptiste Fischer’s corner against the bar and Low was denied by Grosshart as his low drive was pushed away. 

Sittingbourne incredibly have scored goals past ninety minutes now in each of the four games and the latest ironically as Grossart turned provider as he launched a massive clearance, Jordan Greenidge used all his power to get behind the defence and he prodded the ball wide of the advancing Alexander and into the net. 

But after all that had Darren Foxley not made a tie winning block from Dudley's magnificently saved shot six minutes into stoppage time, the Deres, would have been headed for the midweek replay they probably just about deserved.  

But its Sittingbourne who go through into Monday’s (24th August) draw - just!

Sittingbourne played: Grossart, Salmon, Fischer, Woodward (Kinali), Hoyte, Reiss Greenidge, Williams (Foxley), Chang, Agbebi (Jordan Greenidge), Smith (Boachie) and Uwandu (Mongoy). Subs: Theobalds and Graham.