AXA FA CUP SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND REPLAY

Tuesday 6th October 1998

SITTINGBOURNE 1  SUDBURY TOWN 2

Sittingbourne went out of the Axa sponsored FA Cup after a disappointing performance against Sudbury Town of the Jewson Eastern Counties League. After the draw on Saturday, Sittingbourne were favourites to go on to play Gloucester City of the Dr Marten Premier Division away on Saturday week. But after a battling performance, Sudbury Town will make that trip being deserved winners  (by the virtue of the fact that Sittingbourne only had one shot on target for the whole game) by 2-1. Yet again, despite the majority of possession, the Bourne's lack of firepower cost them dearly.

Sudbury, when they were in the Dr Martens League, were a bogey side for Sittingbourne at Central Park. They won 4-0 and 5-4 in their last two visits.

Sittingbourne had Hume at Centre half in place of Walker (suspended) and Pearson who preferred not to be cup tied! Hume was one of Sittingbourne's bright spots of the evening and his competent display earned him my man of the match award.

The Bourne started off brightly enough with Pavey in particular looking sharp. Someone must have told him that Sudbury had a "dodgy" keeper, in Walton, as he had three long range attempts in the first ten minutes. The first real chance, though, came in the 11th minute when Mark Miller went on one of his characteristic runs leaving three defenders in his wake. Unfortunately for the Bourne his shot went wide.

All the early pressure from the Bourne was undone in the 19th minute when a through ball found French. Hough came running out of his goal to try to shut him down but he was always going to be second best and French fired home for Sudbury.

There was one chance each in remainder of this half. First, Clarke hit the outside of the Sudbury goal after a good run.  Sudbury had a better chance still when they were awarded a penalty after a foul by Neil Miller. The goalscorer, French, took it but Hough made a good save.

The second half started without much early incident. After 12 minutes Sittingbourne made their first substitution with Sinden replacing Bonniface.

After 18 minutes, Sudbury were forced to make their first substitution when Tracey was failed by Pavey and was unable to continue.

Seven minutes later, Clout replaced Owen in an effort to get more life in Sittingbourne's midfield. These Sittingbourne substitutions seemed to perk them up and they were now having the majority of play. A powerful cross by Pavey was headed over the Sudbury bar by a defender. From the resulting corner, Hume shot just over. Sinden then made a brave effort to beat Walton to the ball but he was flattened in the collision that followed and the ball ran out of harms way. A cross by Mawson was then headed over the his own bar by Battell and then Taylor blasted wide of the Sudbury goal from ten yards when it looked easier to score.

As in the first half, all this pressure was to no avail as a rare foray upfield by Sudbury saw Chinnery pass to French who crossed for Cheetham to put Sudbury 2-0 up.

Sittingbourne made their final substitution after 37 minutes of the second half. Darren Smith replacing the tiring Bovis. This was followed by Sittingbourne's consolation goal. Pavey made a determined run and from an acute angle neatly planted the ball past Walton.

It was all Sittingbourne now but for all their pressure they lacked penetration where it really mattered.

There were two more chances for Sittingbourne before the final whistle. Firstly, Hume was fouled on the edge of the Sudbury area but Clout wasted the free kick. The final chance was when Clout forced a good save from Walton.

Report by John Pitts

Att: 271

Goals:

Sittingbourne                               Sudbury Town

Kenny Pavey (84 Mins)              Tony French (19 Mins)
                                                          Michael Cheetham (81 Mins) 

Cautions: None                                                   

Flying high. David Walton reaches way above everyone to catch a
dangerous inswinging corner.

Tony Botten & Andy Hough battle for the ball, but Botten puts
it wide.

Pictures of the first game courtesy of the Sudbury Town web site