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E-ON FA Cup - Preliminary Round tie

Sittingbourne play in the Ryman League - Division One South

MATCH REPORT

This was Chertsey Town's first ever competitive match on a Sunday but it will not be remembered with much affection after being ejected by Ryman League Division One side Sittingbourne at their north Kent lair in the cruellest manner; conceding the decisive goal just ten seconds from the end of time added on by the referee.
 
It was even more galling for the travellers as it was they that looked favourites for most of the game and it was only a lack of a killer instinct in front of goal that stopped them from gliding into the next round, another trip to same neck of the woods but at Kent League side Erith & Beldevere.
 
Late signing Robert Ursell, returning to Chertsey colours, was on the bench in a strong line up now that injuries had eased, except for key players Paul Brooker and Gavin Bolger, so there was confidence in the Curfews camp at kick off. However, this air was immediately challenged as Sittingbourne made the early running, but only managed to win an ineffectual corner kick.
 
But within five minutes, the game swung most firmly in Chertsey's favour and clipped passing, combined with good running off the ball, totally eclipsed Sittingbourne's ambitions at even gaining possession of the ball. Town looked like a side at ease with itself and oozed confidence on the ball.
 
It looked only a matter of time before one of their quick fire passing sessions would open up a home defence that was being stretched to its limit and although the threatened strike soon arrived, it came from a more direct manoeuvre, an inch perfect left flank cross from full back Marcus Moody that fellow defender from the right side, Steve Gibson, met and firmly headed home for a 12th minute lead.
 
Sittingbourne tried the same trick at the other end two minutes later but the effort was ruled offside. Relieved, Chertsey redoubled efforts to play more slick football which gave a good feeling in the middle of the park but tended to fall down in the Sittingbourne penalty area which became too congested for goals to be walked into the net which appeared to be Town's prime ambition.
 
Only two worthy strikes came from this position by the time the interval arrived. Ryan Gray sent in a curling shot that went just wide five minutes from the break, to be quickly followed by a Darren Dobinson header that was more blocked than saved by Steve Williams in goal, who had a quieter time that should have been the case, given the balance of possession by the respective combatants.
 
Tea cups had obviously been flying about the Sittingbourne dressing room at half time for the side came out with a completely different attitude and was more proactive in their desire to repeat their side's FA Cup win over Chertsey last term. Chertsey's defence looked watertight in the first half but could have done little to stop the equalising goal, a 30 yard lob by Grant Duff, over goalkeeper Dave Tidy who was only a few yards off his line.
 
This 48th minute goal put even more fire into the Sittingbourne belly and they pressed forward and although they began to keep Tidy busy, only shots delivered at distance induced any venom. The introduction of Robert Ursell just after the hour, signalled the end of Sittingbourne's spell in the driving seat and business returned to normal with Chertsey bossing the midfield but still without seriously threatening to score.
 
The main difference this half was that, although the home side was rapidly tiring, after having to chase the ball so often, they looked dangerous on the break. One strike in particular, on 67 minutes, was parried by Tidy but only as far as Richard Brady but incredibly, he hit the rebound wide from eight yards with just a lone defender in front of him and three quarters of the Chertsey goal as a barn door target.
 
That miss gave Chertsey more heart and they looked even stronger but with in trying to avoid a fixture congesting draw in order to keep the priority of maintaining a strong league challenge, they continued to press forward for a result. The got their wish okay but the late goal was scored at the wrong end.
 
In typical fashion, the ball was being worked through the middle of the park but possession was lost on the edge of the Sittingbourne penalty area and it was rapidly returned deep into Chertsey territory where David Milton collected a long diagonal ball to the left, behind the stretched Chertsey defence, to fire home leaving virtually no time for Chertsey to reply.

Sittingbourne Team: Steve Williams, Ryan Andrew, Grant Duff, Ian Varley (c), Billy Manners, Colin Richmond,
Joe Horlock, Nick Reeves, Elie Kaymbe, Riuchard Brady, Dave Milton.
Subs: Gray Abbott, Josh Davidson, Chris Elliot, Dan Osbourne, Pat Grady