Three Bridges 3 (1) -v- Sittingbourne 2 (1)

Report by Mike Green

Sittingbourne’s long unbeaten League run came to an end on Saturday (8th March) afternoon after a stoppage time penalty gave Three Bridges victory. 

Jubilee Field has always been a bogey venue for the Brickies and so it proved again. Liam Smith powered the visitors ahead before the home side levelled through Noel Leighton. At the start of the second period, Ryan Kingsford put the Brickies back in front, but the home side leveled immediately before Bridges won the game with a stoppage time penalty. 

After a tough midweek win at Margate, Sittingbourne started well with Ade Azeez working tirelessly up front and the on-loan Billericay striker was desperately unlucky as his charged down a poor clearance from home keeper Will Tillman who was extremely relieved to see the ball drop wide of the goal. Kingsford then tested the keeper after battling through before the visitors were inches away for leading. A Richie Hamill corner was brilliantly nodded down by Smith and a diving Ayman El-Mogharbel header flew past a statuesque Tillman, but the keeper was saved by a defender on the line. From the resulting corner, Sittingbourne did lead – Hamill found Smith again but this time the central defender powered home his tenth goal of the season – becoming the seventh Brickie in double figures this season. 

The home side leveled just before the break even of the goal was slightly fortunate as Reece Hallard’s cross was diverted home by Leighton possibly off the striker’s shoulder. 

Sittingbourne started the second period on top and had loud shouts for a penalty. Henry Sinai found Azeez who super touch fell to Kingsford who was “eased” off the ball by a defender – fairly said referee Austin! Kingsford though was to get his revenge almost immediately as Tillman and a defender got into a real mess, and the Brickies man side stepped the pair and drilled home his sixteenth goal of the season. 

Back in front and the Brickies hoped their heroes would be able to consolidate, but they had barely stopped celebrating as Bridges were level again. A deep ball to the back post was bundled home by talisman Leighton and Bridges were buoyant! 

Both sides went looking for the winner – Noel Fisher had a great chance for the home side but blazed well wide; Joe Boachie had Tillman scrambling from Troy Howards ball, and then Boachie went even closer. Hamill’s free kick dropped to him and his first effort beat the keeper but rebounded off the post and the follow-up saw the keeper relieved yet again as the ball bobbled wide. 

It was heartbreak for the Brickies and the end of their twenty-nine League game unbeaten run as Hayden Neathey was fouled and Ben Holden drove the spot-kick beyond Roco Rees to take the points and dent the Brickies title challenge! 

Sittingbourne Played: Rees, Jones, Graham (Church), Hamill, Smith, Arthur, Sinai (Boachie), El- Mogharbel, Azeez (May), Kingsford and Beckford (Howard). Sub not used: Lukombo.

NEXT MATCH: HOME - Littlehampton Town in the Isthmian League, South East - Tuesday 11th March, kick off at 7:45pm.