Sittingbourne ended Whyteleafe’s 100% record with a great performance, although they did tease their fans right up to the final whistle.
Whyteleafe came out of the blocks the quickest and showed why they hadn’t lost yet but Sittingbourne contained them well. In the 12th minute the home side took the lead when a ball flicked through found Bolo Dawodu in the area, from 15 yards his chip over Tyler McCarthy was pushed up by McCarthy, Dawodu followed it and headed into an empty net.
After this Sittingbourne enjoyed the lion’s share of good possession and chances, in the 20th minute Tommie Fagg made a run from the half way line to the edge of the area, the ball was taken off his toes by Izzy Adebayo who cut in and saw his curling effort saved by McCarthy.
A minute later Leafe had their first chance when Harrison Carnegie received the ball in the area but saw his shot saved by Patrick Lee.
In the very next minute Bourne should have been two up when Tom Loynes on the left wing beat the defender, his low cross was met by Dawodu but from two yards out he headed over the bar, the question being asked then was would this come back to haunt them?
With 23 minutes on the clock, Dawodu put Adebayo in to the area, his shot from 15 yards was parried away by McCarthy. The game went a bit quiet as both sides did not create any real clear cut chances until the 41st minute.
Fagg and Dawodu combined leaving Fagg in the area, his shot was deflected forcing McCarthy to push it away for a corner, shortly after the half time whistle went which Sittingbourne did not want while Whyteleafe were more than happy to get into the changing room and regroup.
The second half started quickly for Bourne as in the 47th minute a Lewis Chambers long throw into the area found Fagg but from 6 yards out he headed over the bar.
Whyteleafe had their first chance of the second half when a free kick into the Bourne area found Nathan Campbell, his header was saved by Lee in what seemed like slow motion.
A minute later another free kick into the area found Harrison Carnegie but his angled shot went wide of the post. Ten minutes later another half chance fell Leafe’s way when Eddie Dsane mazy run saw his shot from 20 yards parried away by Lee.
Whyteleafe were now the team in control but in the 76th minute Bourne increased their lead when a free kick by Lee was flicked on by Dawodu for Fagg who raced into the area and from 15 yards he fired his shot into the back of the net.
They say you should keep it tight for ten minutes but Bourne did not heed that warning as in the very next minute Marvin Armstrong 20 yards saw his shot fly into the net, to reduce the visitor’s deficit to one once again.
This got Leafe going, in the 81st minute they came close to equalising when Dsane battled for the ball with Lex Allen, he got the better of the duo and raced away to the by-line, he saw his low cross shot saved by Lee at his near post.
In a rare Bourne attack another long throw to the edge of the area saw Johan Caney-Bryan’s first time shot go just past the post.
The last chance of the game came in the third minute of added time when the ball was crossed into the area where Lee called for it, he missed it and it fell at Bentley Graham’s feet but his snap shot hit the side netting.
The final whistle went after seven minutes of added on time, Sittingbourne deserved this victory keeping their composure and defending brilliantly.
Sittingbourne:
- Lee 2. C.Webber 3. J.Dowling (54) 4. D.Parkinson 5. L.Allan 6. B.Fitchett 7. I.Adebayo
- L.Chambers (84) 9. B.Dawodu 10. T.Fagg 11. T.Loynes (69)
Subs Used: 14. R.Crimmen (54) 15. J.Caney-Bryan (69) 12. H.Hatfull (84)
Subs Not Used: 16. N.Elder 19. H.Brooks
Bookings: 6. B.Fitchett (39)
Whyeleafe:
- Mcarthy 2. B.Wilson 3. M.O’donoghue (77) 4. N.Campbell 5. R.Thompson (69) 6. C.Holder
- D.Hector 8. B.Graham 9. E.Dsane 10. L.Chin (63) 11. H.Carnegie
Subs Used: 15. G.Lukuni (63) 12. H.Orome (69) 17. M.Armstrong (77)
Subs Not Used: 14. B.Kauzeni 16. O.Milton
Bookings: None
Referee: Mr J.Horne
Assistants: Mr C.Edgecombe & Mr F.Le Houezec
Att: 124