1. The quick report..for those in a hurry!!!!

This game pitched a young  Sittingbourne side against a vastly experienced Stamford side. Sittingbourne have gained just one league point in their last 7 outings whilst Stamford were lying fifth in the table, even so it was a lively evenly matched first half.

Sittingbourne were battling the strong wind in the first half but they  took the lead in the match as Bradley Spice curled the ball past Stamford Goalkeeper Steve Corry. After 29 minutes defensive hesitation between Tommy Binks and Ben Dixon let in Dennis Rhule to equalise. Stamford took  the lead in the 40th minute with a goal by Craig Donaldson after Rhule had slipped the ball to him, a hint  of off-side but the goal stood.

The Brickies had the vast majority of play in the second half with the wind behind them, and James Creed the Brickies goalkeeper was a virtual spectator, but  apart from a few long range efforts   the home side  couldn't break down the experienced Stamford defence.  

The referee Mr Postles booked 7 players in a game that was never dirty.

2. The long report..for those with more time.

Brian Woodhouse on the PA played "Things can only get better", but unfortunately the Sittingbourne side, missing influential players like Neil Miller, Marvin Neufville, Roy Clarke, Mark Miller, and Damian Hodge through a combination of injuries and suspensions, were always going to find it difficult against an experienced Stamford side that contained an ex England non-league international in  Nick Ashby plus several players who have had experience with Rushden and Diamonds. Rushden incidentally had a hard match against Dr Marten Eastern Division Grantham in the FA Cup but eventually progressed to the first round by 5-4 after twice being behind.

The match was played throughout in a gale force wind with the Brickies playing into it in the first half, and a good job they did too. 

The first effort  went to Stamford after 11 minutes when Richard Weale produced a delicate chip towards goal that James Creed palmed away. Sittingbourne though were playing with enthusiasm in an effort to improve on the 1 point that has been their tally from the last 7 games, and a minute later, Tom Berry, who had a good first half,  beat Martin Hardy to a header to find Bradley Spice just outside the penalty area, and the youngster coolly curled the ball round Stamford goalkeeper Steve Corry to put the Brickies in the lead.

Stamford were showing frustration and Referee Mr Postles booked John Challener for enthusiastically disputing  a decision, (Dissent!!). The Brickies continued to have a lot of the play and Stuart Harrison was unlucky after 25 minutes when his blistering shot was parried by Corry. In the same minute Julian Beal found himself in the book for  a hefty challenge.

Sittingbourne were having their best home performance for some time and so it was real heartache when in the 29th minute indecision between Tommy Binks and Ben Dixon let in Dennis Rhule and despite Dixon's effort to kick the ball away he could only loop it into the roof of the net so Stamford were level. The goal gave confidence to Stamford and Rhule had another chance when in the 38th minute his header from a free kick was palmed away by Creed. Two minutes later the ball was slipped through to Craig Donaldson in the Brickies area and he fired past Creed to put the visitors a goal up.  I was standing  right in line with Donaldson as he received the ball and he looked to be well off-side so a shattering piece of bad luck for the Brickies.

A mention of James Creed at this point as he had managed to gain a lot of distance to his kicks in this half with the intelligent use of  the ball against the very strong wind, and this tactic undoubtedly helped the Brickies have such an even first half despite the difficulties that they faced.

The game was by no means over as in the second half the Brickies would have the strong wind in their favour and indeed the Brickies were making all the running in this half with Stamford's inability to get into the Brickies half making  Creed a spectator. Unlike Creed the Stamford keeper Corry just couldn't master the conditions and his clearances frequently ended up curling back towards his own goal and this served in keeping the pressure on the visitors. 

Mr Postles the referee was now having a field day in booking players, in a game that was never dirty, and Paul Campbell and Richard Sinden both found their names in his book for first time indiscretions, and Stamford's Craig Donaldson joined them soon after for kicking the ball away.

Despite all the play being in Stamford's half the Brickies were making few chances and after 67 minutes Tyrone King came on for Richard Sinden and soon after Paul Holliday and John Guest replaced Tom Berry and Corrie Griffin. 

After 72 minutes Bradley Spice had another chance but his shot was weak and easily palmed away by Stamford keeper Corry, and then John Guest got his head to a rasping Stuart Harrison corner but the glance was just wide.

 Things were getting desperate for the Brickies now and a couple of long shots from Shane Davies, Paul Holliday and Tommy Binks followed but all sailed high and wide. Stamford could have extended their lead with just four minutes to go as the ball fell to one of their players after a defensive error but the the ball was blasted over. Right on time both Julian Beal and Stuart Harrison had crashing shots which ricoched off of Stamford defenders but the Lincolnshire side held out for a lucky victory.

 Bradley Spice was voted sponsors man of the match.