Hard Fought but Deserved Win takes Peacehaven Third

Unusually for Haven, they found themselves on the back foot from the kick-off, as a well organised Sittingbourne team, came purposively to Piddinghoe Avenue. Indeed it was the visitors who had the first two meaningful chances, with the wind at their backs.

First left back Ashley Ulph put in a long range effort that just went past the upright, and then Tom Loynes came in from the left but shot wide.

With another Sittingbourne attack broken up on the half way line, the ball was slid through the static defence. Jamie Brotherton latched onto the ball and drove to the edge of the box where he unleashed a fierce shot well saved by the keeper.

Solid work by Josh Jones put Brotherton in the box again. This time he chose to centre the ball to the on-rushing Jones, whose first time shot drew another fine save from Adam Molloy in the Sittingbourne goal.

Then a mischievous dummy by Jones saw Brotherton receive the ball on the edge of the box. His turn and drilled shot was again saved well by Molloy.

Haven came close to opening the scoring when Dryer’s return ball to Jones, glanced off the attacker’s chest and just inches wide.

Immediately Sittingbourne went straight down the field and forced a fine parried save out of Anthony DiBernado. Somehow the incoming Joe Taylor managed to miss from close range, much to the relief of the home crowd.

Whilst goalless the first half had been entertaining from both teams. Now with the wind behind them, Haven were even more positive going forward.

Tom Burton had a glorious chance incredibly pushed over the bar. From the resulting corner, on sixty minutes Burton got another opportunity which this time he took for 1-0.
Only a last ditch tackle by Nick Dunsford stopped Brotherton from doubling the score.

Mid-way through the half, Saunders introduced Charlie Walker from the bench. Now playing slightly deeper, Brotherton put through Walker whose excellent volley was turned around the post.

The match was settled effectively on 80 minutes, when the impressive Walker scored an outrageous headed goal. Meeting a firm cross, his header from some way out, back across the goal, looked to be sailing well past the post, but catching the wind it just dropped into the top corner 2-0.

Not even a couple of harsh bookings could spoil a wonderful night for the Ryman new boys.

Report by Michael Burnage