Sittingbourne 1-1 Merstham - There's something not quite right about my squad, admits Gary Abbott

After losing to Andover in the FA Cup at the weekend, manager Abbott was looking for an improvement from his side and although the defence (which was marshalled magnificently by the outstanding Nick Reeves) was constantly stretched, it was only breached when Harding, who had only been on the field of play for seven minutes, touched home Billy Marshall's driven cross.
 
That all came after Golding had been on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the Merstham net after an amazing melee which first saw Golding’s initial cross ricochet off a defender onto a post and away to safety before the flying Reeves saw his header blocked on the line by a combination of defender and keeper Ian Chatfield before Golding drilled the ball into the roof of the net, at the end of an opening half where the visitors carried the threat. 

Brickies keeper Matt Reed did well to palmed away Jordan Cheadle’s early free kick, but was then relieved to see David Smith’s first time shot fly inches wide on the half hour. 

Incredibly Merstham should have taken the lead before the home side scored as only Michael Corbett will know how he didn’t direct a free header (from another Chandler free kick) into the net.
 
A fabulous Reeves block then denied striker Tony Reid as the second began as the first ended, and then Reed had to be at his agile best to again deny Chandler – this time from open play! 
 
As the visitors pressed finally the home side began to create their own chances and Tom Bradbrook was unlucky with a shot on the run, whilst Ross Morley went close with a low drive after a good run from Hicham Akhazzan.
 
Merstham were now chasing the game and creating chances with almost every attack – Bradley Duke sliced horribly wide after a good run from Billy Marshall, whilst Reeves again was spot on with his tackling as Smith threatened to burst through. 

Then came the goal on 79 minutes from Harding as the substitute stole in front of the home defence to steer Marshall’s excellent cross wide of Reed and into the net.
 
In the closing stages both sides had chances to win the game – firstly Harry Ottaway blazed high over the bar following good work by the scorer Harding whilst at the other end, Brickies sub Joe Hooper looped a shot over Chatfield only to see it bounce off the top of the relieved keeper’s cross bar.
 
After the game, a rueful Abbott spoke to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.  He said: “It’s not good especially as I think that there were three points there for us tonight. 

“We’ve got to put our chances away to win games and whilst I thought for the first hour tonight we did OK, for the last half hour we were awful! 

“We had no midfield at all; we weren’t winning second ball and it was like the Alamo if I’m honest with you.  You could see the goal was coming and so it proved. 

“We had the chances tonight to win the game but we didn’t take them and in the end we’re not winning games. 

“Ok, we’re unbeaten in the league so far but then if you look at it, we could have gone up six places with the three points tonight. 

“We’ve got a lot of work still to do as this is undoubtedly a re building period. 

“We’ve got to get our heads down and get them doing what we want them to do. 

“I’d be kidding myself if I said that this squad was there yet – its not – something’s still not right yet.  I’m not saying that the players aren’t good enough – it’s just not right and will take a few more games to put it right.  They could have nicked it at the end and I couldn’t have complained it that happened!”

Sittingbourne:  Matt Reed, Joe Horlock, Daniel Palfrey, Nick Reeves, Joe Bannan, Billy Manners, Ross Morley (Joe Hooper 83), Ian Batten (Steven Marshall 56), Tom Bradbrook, Ryan Golding (Elie Kayembe 80), Hicham Akhazzan.
Subs: Richard Brady, Jaie Nuttall.

Goal: Ryan Golding 41

Booked: Ross Morley 63, Daniel Palfrey 69, Nick Reeves 83

Merstham: Ian Chatfield, Robb Sheridan, Jordan Creadle, Wes Goggin (Daniel Harding 72), Bradley Duke, Michael Corbett, David Smith, Adam Moriarty, Tony Reid (Harry Ottaway 64), Billy Marshall, Dale Marvell (Anthony Myers 72).
Subs: Aaron Murray, Jack Smelt.

Goal: Daniel Harding 78

Attendance: 114
Referee: Mr M O'Keefe
Assistants: Mr P Beadle and Mr F Meliack