Sittingbourne 3-1 Croydon Athletic

Sittingbourne, although playing some uninspiring stuff at times, could have had a hatful of goals so it seems strange to say that they never really got into their stride against a young Croydon Athletic side, who showed enthusiasm and not a little skill, especially Moses Ademola, if nothing else in their fight to avoid relegation, writes Peter Pitts.

Croydon Athletic were struck a blow a short while back when their chairman passed away and since then money has been tight causing wholesale changes to the team personnel, in fact the line up today bore no resemblance to the Croydon Athletic sides that faced Sittingbourne twice earlier in the season.

Sittingbourne, meanwhile, fielded a more or less full strength side, James Campbell was, however, still missing with his groin injury.

Sittingbourne almost got off to a flyer but Lee Hockey's shot was kicked off he line after 3 minutes, the ball then fell to Paul Ainsworth whose shot was turned over the bar by Croydon Athletic's keeper Danny Firkins.

Croydon Athletic quickly steadied the ship and even came forward at times themselves but generally Sittingbourne had the edge in the first half.

On 24 minutes Mitchell Sherwood had a shot go narrowly past the post but this was to be the end of Sherwood's contribution as he was feeling unwell and substituted by Hicham Akhazzan.

Six minutes later Lee Browning, who was again the pick of the Brickies forwards, latched onto Kieran Marsh's pass and bore down on goal only to be brought down by Firkins who was perhaps lucky to escape a card for the challenge.

Browning took the kick himself and made no mistake.

It looked as though Sittingbourne would use this as a springboard to a big score but instead it was Croydon Athletic through Ademola who had the next chance when on 40 minutes he fired a shot against the Brickies left hand post and the ball bounced across goal before it was cleared.

Sittingbourne then had a chance themselves in 1st half injury time when an Anthony Hogg pass found Mark Lovell in the Croydon Athletic area but Firkins did well to palm Lovell's shot onto a post.

The second half was 7 minutes old when a Kieran Marsh inspired move ended in a last ditch challenge on Browning that otherwise would have been a certain goal.

Ademola continued to look dangerous for Croydon Athletic and on 54 minutes he made a great run that was only spoilt by him firing narrowly over the Brickies goal.

The busy Adenmola then had another effort go narrowly over as Croydon Athletic were having their best period of the game.

Sittingbourne briefly retaliated when a Trabelsi run ended in a pass to Hogg who fired narrowly over .

Five minutes later a defence splitting ball through ball found that man Ademola again, he cut inside before unleashing a great shot past Steve Williams to pull Croydon Athletic level.

The Rams had their tails up and Jacob Erskine stabbed the ball narrowly wide of the Brickies right hand post.

A minute later Williams had to rush out to block a shot from Ademola. All this pressure by Croydon Athletic meant that they were leaving gaps at the back and with players of Browning's speed this is always dangerous as was proved when he raced clear with Danny Young trying to catch him, it looked strange when Browning was suddenly overtaken but all became clear when the assistant flagged that Young had tugged him back.

Referee Mr Regan had no option but to red card him and award a penalty. Croydon Athletic were furious but then ecstatic when Browning's kick was saved by Firkins.

Croydon Athletic were now up against it and Sittingbourne weren't about to waste the man advantage.

On 79 minutes Akhazzan's cross into the area was spilled by the visiting keeper as he was challenged by Browning but the loose ball was kicked clear.

Croydon Athletic held out until injury time but then a throw in by Toby Ashmore into the area was brilliantly headed over Firkins and into the net by Paul Ainsworth to put Sittingbourne back in the driving seat.

Croydon Athletic had no time to feel sorry for themselves before Williams found Trabelsi who raced away to the edge of the Croydon area and let fly with a terrific shot that whistled into the net to give him his first goal for the team.

Sittingbourne continued to press throughout the five minutes of injury time and their visitors twice had to kick the ball off the line. Then Hogg had a go with a free kick that whistled narrowly wide.

The whistle finally blew and Croydon Athletic will have had some crumb of comfort that results elsewhere means that despite losing they can't now be relegated, meanwhile, Sittingbourne leapfrog Cray Wanderers in the league table with this victory to go 12th.

Sittingbourne: S Williams, Ashmore, Dowley, Ainsworth, Hockey (B Williams 77), Marsh, Hogg, Searle (Trabelsi 41), Lovell, Browning, Sherwood (Akhazzan 31) , Subs: Willis.

Attendance: 140