Tony Rickson Reports:

Wednesday 31st July 2019

By Tony Rickson

Friendly

Sittingbourne 1 ( Caney-Bryan (pen) 1 mins)  Canterbury City 2 

Referee: Joe McKay, Assistants: Joe Dan-Pye, Ben Fuller.

Sittingbourne: Tom Benham, Jack Smith, Jason Fregene, Lex Allan, Josh Spencer, Tyrone Guthrie, Harrison Pont,  ?, Chris Barnard, Tom Fagg, Johan Caney-Bryan, Cory Walker-Wright, Lewis West, Chris Webber, Kane Phillip, Liam Middleton, Festus Lori.

Photographs from the game by Ken Medwyn

Sittingbourne continued their pre-season build-up on Wednesday night, losing to a second half penalty as a busy July ended with their sixth friendly.

They raced into a first minute lead when Johan Caney-Bryan confidently converted from the penalty spot but Canterbury were level within two minutes, a route one goal ending with a cross from the left headed in from close range.

Canterbury, who reached the semi-finals of the national FA Vase competition at the end of last season, proved competitive and organised opponents throughout an even first half.

They ended the half by hitting the bar, and took a 52nd minute lead when Wilson scored from the penalty spot after Cory Walters Wright was penalised for his tackle.

Sittingbourne had most of the rest of the play, going closest when Caney-Bryan smashed his shot against keeper Mant after breaking clear and when Chris Barnard seemed to be fouled as he was about to score from close range in a goalmouth scramble.

Players returning from last season such as Tom Fagg and Lex Allan worked hard for Sittingbourne, who changed six of their starting line-up in the second half and are still working on who will be in  the team when the season starts for real in a couple of weeks times.

Canterbury were the third South East Counties League side Sittingbourne have failed to beat in pre-season, but results aren’t important at this stage – all that really matters is getting a strong, fit, organised and motivated team fully prepared for the first game of the season, at Whitstable on August 17th.