Sittingbourne Triumphs Over Cray Valley in FA Trophy Upset

Sittingbourne Football Club secured a remarkable victory against higher-league side Cray Valley, winning 2-1 in the first round of the FA Trophy on Saturday. Manager Ryan Maxwell had called for a strong performance following the Brickies’ disappointing 3-1 defeat to local rivals Faversham in the league last week. The team responded effectively, setting up a second-round tie against Ebbsfleet on November 15.

The match at Woodstock saw Henry Sinai open the scoring for Sittingbourne, followed by an own goal from Jerry Puemo that extended the lead. Although Matty Vigor converted a late penalty for Cray Valley, it was not enough to change the outcome.

Maxwell expressed pride in his team’s resilience. “It was a great response. I was certainly looking for one, we needed one, and we got one,” he stated. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Cray Valley, a side competing in a higher division. “Every great side is able to bounce back, no matter who the opposition,” he added.

Sittingbourne has demonstrated a consistent ability to upset higher-level opponents in recent FA Trophy matches, with this victory marking the eighth such instance in the past two seasons. Maxwell noted, “People do expect us to win. If we were at home against Real Madrid, we’d probably be even-money. It’s just what happens.”

As the team prepares for their next challenge, Sittingbourne will host third-placed AFC Croydon this Saturday at 15:00 and then travel to Sevenoaks on Wednesday at 19:30. Maxwell emphasized the importance of these upcoming fixtures. “It’s a big fixture because they’re a team we can affect who are above us. We can claw three points back and we have to start doing that now,” he stated.

The Brickies are currently in ninth place, trailing the Rams by eight points but with two games in hand. Maxwell remains optimistic, reflecting on the strong performance from the previous match. “If we can play like we did then, we’ll be alright.”

In a recent League Cup match, Sittingbourne faced a setback, losing 4-0 to Crowborough, with Maxwell himself taking a spot on the bench. New signing Jordon Ibe, formerly with Liverpool and Bournemouth, made his debut after receiving international clearance.

As Sittingbourne looks to build on their FA Trophy success, the team remains focused on their league aspirations while enjoying the spotlight from their recent performance. Fans and players alike are eager to see how the Brickies will continue to rise to the occasion in the coming weeks.