Sittingbourne 3 (3) -v- AFC Croydon Athletic 1 (1)

Report by Mike Green

Latecomers at the Staxson Stadium on Saturday (30th November) would have missed a start that will live long in Woodstock folk-lore, as Sittingbourne made it ten home League wins in a row with a comfortable 3-1 win over AFC Croydon Athletic. 

Joe Boachie volleyed the Brickies in front inside 90 seconds, Troy Howard flicked home a second after four minutes and just a minute later Ryan Kingsford coolly slotted home the third from the spot – the home side three-nil in front inside five minutes and game over. Even the visitors reply – also from twelve yards – came inside the opening 15 minutes and it was only an incredible performance from Croydon keeper Amadou Tangara that kept the scoreline respectable as time after time after time, it was the keeper denying the Brickies as they piled forward. 

The home side were in front before many had taken their places as Liam Smith helped on a Richie Hamill ball into the box. The ball was deflected into the air and Boachie did magnificently to swivel and volley home. One instantly became two after another terrific ball into the box saw Smith’s downward header brilliantly flicked home by Howard. 

Tangara then bravely denied Kingsford as the striker sprinted clear only in Sittingbourne’s next attack to mis-time a challenge on Henry Sinai leaving referee Spencer with no option to point to the spot allowing Kingsford to get his revenge by rolling the home sides third into the corner with barely five minutes on the watch. 

The shellshocked visitors themselves got a penalty on 15 minutes when Brandon Perrick was brough down and Nya Kirby sent Harvey Earle the wrong was for what proved to be the only League goal Earle and his defenders have conceded in the month of November. 

The home side then laid siege to the Athletic goal but couldn't find a way past Tangara – Howard was brilliantly denied as he streaked through; a fabulous finger tipped save denied Sinai; Codey Cosgrave was twice well denied before Howard crashed an effort into the side netting. 

The second period naturally calmed down as the home side eased off with crucial games upcoming this week, with chances fewer and less forthcoming. Sinai was brilliantly denied by the long legs of Tangara; Boachies had an effort really well beaten out – Cosgrave unable to convert the follow, and Smity flashed a late header wide. Earle did have a save to make late on to deny Callum Harriott but this really was the most comfortable of three points for the Brickies – you could say the perfect way to score ten out of ten... 

Sittingbourne Played: Earle, Jones (Graham), Lukombo, Hamill, Smith, Arthur, Howard, Cosgrave (Steventon), Boachie (Bessey), Kingsford and Sinai (Ayman). Sub not used: Wabo.

NEXT MATCH: AWAY - Littlehampton Town - Tuesday 3rd December, kick off at 7:45pm.