Reece Prestedge admits Sittingbourne’s title hopes are now virtually over.
The Brickies, still unbeaten since former manager Ryan Maxwell left for Isthmian Premier Welling United and was replaced at the helm by Prestedge in November, are firmly in the mix for Isthmian South East promotion.
Derek Asamoah, centre, celebrates with Darren Foxley and Joe Boachie after putting Sittingbourne 3-0 up at Faversham Town in last weekend’s 3-3 Isthmian South East draw. Picture: Daisy Brownie
Sittingbourne had hoped to push leaders Three Bridges for top spot but they sat 17 points behind with two matches in hand after last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Faversham Town – in which they conceded three times in the final 10 minutes.
“It’s great, being unbeaten, but we have had two draws in a row,” said Brickies boss Prestedge, talking after the Faversham match.
“If you are fighting for that top spot, which is probably gone now, you have got to win those games.
“Being 3-0 up away to Faversham, not many teams are in that position, but you have got to see it out.”
A third successive top-five finish does remain within sight for Sittingbourne, who are in touching distance of AFC Croydon Athletic, in second, and third-placed Faversham.
Sittingbourne substitute Henry Sinai, right, looks to find a way past Faversham player Bradley Simms. Picture: Daisy Brownie
Prestedge said: “We’re a point outside of it with games in hand but you have got to win those games.
“We will just take each game as it comes.”
Sittingbourne have ended up behind on matches played with recent games falling victim to the adverse weather. They hadn’t played since a 1-1 home draw against Jersey on January 17, prior to the trip to Faversham.
But Prestedge said: “It’s just the way the fixtures have panned out.
“This is probably why teams go to 3G (surfaces) so they don’t have many games called off.
Jack Steventon celebrates after giving Sittingbourne the lead at Faversham. Picture: Daisy Brownie
“If you do, it’s only one or two here or there whereas we have had three or four called off in a row now. Of course, it kills the momentum with the run we have been on.
“But you can only do what you can do and we just go into the next game positive, with the belief we can come away with three points.”
Prestedge accepted a lack of match fitness could have been a major factor behind their late capitulation against Tommy Warrilow’s men.
“I don’t want to use that as an excuse but it’s tough,” Prestedge admitted. “At the same time, we were 3-0 up on Saturday.
“Could we have managed the game better? Of course. We probably should have.
“But not quite having that match fitness, just that sharpness, after going four weeks without a competitive game is a long time for any team.”
Sittingbourne had displayed a clinical nature in the first 45 minutes in front of an 848-strong crowd as they made the hosts pay for their wastefulness in front of goal through Jack Steventon’s fifth goal of the season and skipper Bagasan Graham’s first of the campaign.
“It’s good if you can get goals from everywhere and we work on stuff like that,” revealed Prestedge, whose side should host Sevenoaks this weekend and welcome Crowborough to Woodstock on Tuesday.
“Players have got to chip in. It’s not just your striker that has to score the goals, you pay them for scoring goals, but other players have got to chip in.”
The Brickies appeared to have sealed the points as referee Nick Dunn ruled Derek Asamoah had been fouled by Town captain Ben Gorham – and the 44-year-old forward made no mistake from 12 yards.
“To be that sharp at 44, that’s a credit to himself,” said Prestedge, who is four years the junior of the former Ghana international. “I know I couldn’t do that!
“He gives you a lot with his experience and stuff like that.”
The Brickies were 7-1 victors in their midweek match at Broadbridge Heath.
Two-goal Asamoah, Steventon, winger Joe Boachie and defender Ben Swift, alongside substitutes Henry Sinai and Jean-Baptiste Fischer, did the damage.
A minute’s applause was held ahead of Sittingbourne’s derby against Faversham Town in memory of Tiffany Marjeram, wife of Brickies vice-chairman Andrew Marjeram, who has died following a lengthy battle with cancer.
