Report by Peter Pitts

Saturday 11th January 2003

ATT : 189

Sittingbourne are making a habit of giving away early goals, this being the second home game in succession where they have conceded goals in the first five minutes. This time the Daniels scored after just 3 minutes when a Lee Hook clearance appeared to strike Jim Neil's arms, Neil gratefully fired the ball into the Brickies goal. There was some dispute about the goal because Neil appeared to bring the ball under control with his hands, and two Stamford forwards were standing off-side. Referee Mr Elstone looked to his assistant and with no flag apparent he gave the goal. If this wasn't a bad enough start the Daniels went further ahead just two minutes later as the Brickies defence, which had been reshuffled for the game to cater for Ben Taylor's suspension, opened up to allow Kevin Byrne to fire the ball into the net.

Sittingbourne briefly came into the match as Bradley Spice curled a free kick just wide of the Stamford goal but on 28 minutes Stamford went further ahead as a looping cross was met beautifully by Kevin Byrne to give Hook no chance.

Sittingbourne had their first real chance of the game on the half hour as Stamford's new Czechoslovakian goalkeeper Ludek Michalik punched the ball straight out to Andrew Drury. Drury, again being watched by a Derby County scout,  hit the shot sweetly first time but the ball bounced off the top of the crossbar. Stamford were not to be outdone and three minutes later Gareth Pritchard crossed to Jim Neil and he crashed a shot against the Brickies cross bar.

Sittingbourne at last pulled a goal back as right on half time Steve Hafner, who had a promising debut, caused confusion in the Stamford defence and the ball looped across  to Corrie Griffin who fired a magnificent  shot over Michalik's head...no mean feat against this very tall keeper.

Sittingbourne made two half time changes replacing the still not fully fit Lee Hockey with James Campbell, and Tom Berry replaced Perry Spackman. This change tightened the defence and Sittingbourne had much more of the second half. The better chances though were  still falling to the Daniels and on 59 minutes Kevin Byrne had a good effort go just wide.

Sittingbourne had to make an enforced change on 63 minutes as Paul Campbell picked up an injury and was replaced by Cliff Cunningham. Sittingbourne now had to press forward and take chances. A break away for the Daniels was always going to be a danger and on 79  Malcolm Ndekwe sped away towards the Brickies goal  and although Cunningham made a valiant effort to catch him Ndekwe was still able to fire past Hook to keep the Daniels firmly on the promotion trail.