With the new lockdown affecting football from Step 3 down, it’s the perfect time to have a catch up with clubs around the county to talk about the season so far.
First up is Sittingbourne Director Peter Pitts, talking all thing Brickies.
“It’s been a disappointing start to this year’s campaign after last season was declared null and void by the Isthmian league because of the Coronavirus lockdown back in March.”
“There was a late start to the season so our first competitive game wasn’t a league game but was away to Deal Town in the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup and it turned out to be a bitterly disappointing game for us losing 4-1.”
“Things looked a bit better though with a 3-2 victory at Woodstock against local rivals Whitstable Town in the first match of the new PITCHING IN Isthmian league season in front of a good crowd of 263.”
“In fact, the one good thing about this season so far is that our average home gate after 5 home games is 233 against an average for all of the home games completed last season of 151.”
“The next game was away to a strong Cray Valley PM side which we lost by 2 goals to 1. Cray Valley have gone on to reach the FA Cup first Round and have proved to be a strong side this season so that defeat didn’t look to be too bad.”
“It was a blow though when in the next game, home to our fellow Swale side Faversham Town, the Brickies went down by 3 goals to nil in front of our highest ever crowd at Woodstock of 326.”
“This was a poor performance and it’s been an uphill struggle in the league so far with our two further league games up to the new Lockdown resulting in a draw against an Ashford United side who are not as strong as they were last season, and a 2-3 loss at home to Whyteleafe who are one of the front runners in the league.”
“This loss wasn’t so bad as Whyteleafe were very fortuitous gaining a penalty when a video clip showed a dive from the player who won the penalty.”
“The one bright spot has been the Buildbase FA Trophy where we beat a strong East Grinstead Town side at Woodstock by a goal to the nil in the 2nd preliminary round before bowing out to Barking away on penalties in the next round.”
“Then came lockdown again, which has somewhat stalled what could have been the start of a better period.”
One of the high spots of the season was the signing of Andy Drury from Havant & Waterlooville. Drury is in his mid 30’s now but this ex Ipswich and Luton player has plenty to offer the Brickies after starting his career in the early 2000’s with them.
Also striker Kane Rowland has re-joined the Brickies and has already bagged 6 goals in the 9 competitive Sittingbourne games so far this season to be the club’s leading scorer.
Sittingbourne are now 3rd from bottom of the league but with games in hand on those above them and one win will see them in a mid-table position so there will be plenty to play for when the league finally restarts.
Image courtesy of Ken Medwyn.