FA Cup, Preliminary Round Match report, Erith & Belvedere v Sittingbourne, 22/08/2026

For the fourth game in a row, Sittingbourne found a stoppage time goal. this time to break the hearts of SCEFL Premier Erith & Belvedere who deserved a second crack at the Isthmian side after a terrific Cup-tie.

The fact that they didn’t – after Harvey Smith coolly put the visitors in front with his fourth goal of the season only for Clarance Tambe to quickly equalise – was down to Brickies keeper Jamie Grossart who made stunning saves to deny Freddie Fletcher, Jack Sammoutis, Jack Low and Casey Dudley before setting up Jordan Greenidge’s stoppage time winner with a huge clearance.

But after all that, had Darren Foxley not made a tie winning block from Dudley’s saved shot, this one would have been headed for a midweek replay.

Kicking down Park View Road’s slope in the opening half, the Brickies soon took control as Smith raced through onto a pass from Luke Woodward and slotted the ball through and under the advancing Danny Alexander to give the Isthmian side the lead.

Grossart made his first save of the day – keeping out Low’s try – at one end, whilst Smith, Samson Uwandu and Kharvan Williams combined brilliantly only for Smith’s effort to be smothered and when Tambe cut in from the wing and left fly, the Brickies keeper was on hand to beat the ball away to safety.

It wasn’t safe though for Sittingbourne for long, as from a corner ,Tambe, stooped to conquer and the winger headed home the equaliser on the half hour.

Quite how Grosshart then kept out Freddie Fletcher’s header  only the Brickies keeper will  know. Then  Fletcher got his head to the ball and was turning away to acclaim the “goal” only for Grosshart to instinctively plunge to his right to claw the ball out of harm’s way.

The Brickies started the second period as they had the first – on top – and Uwandu was denied by a brave Alexander. Williams curled an effort wide after great control from Kieron Agbebi; Williams then saw a diving header grabbed by the keeper, whilst at the other end, Grosshart was at it again, making a fine two handed save to palm over Jack Sammoutis’s effort.

Time ticked by and the replay was becoming more likely. Both sides were still straining to get the winner. Jordan Greenidge powered Jean-Baptiste Fischer’s corner against the bar and Low was denied by Grosshart as his low drive was pushed away.

Sittingbourne incredibly have scored goals past ninety minutes now in each of the four games. The latest, ironically, as Grossart turned provider as he launched a massive clearance. Jordan Greenidge used all his power to get behind the defence and he prodded the ball wide of the advancing Alexander and into the net.

But after all that, had Darren Foxley not made a tie winning block from Dudley’s magnificently saved shot six minutes into stoppage time, the Deres, would have been heading for the midweek replay they probably just about deserved.

But its Sittingbourne who go through into Monday’s draw – just!

ERITH & BELVERDERE – Danny Alexander, Stefan Wright (Tyrone Gondoh), Ronnie McClean, Freddie Cray (Jaydan Thomas), Freddie Fletcher, Chigozirim Njoku, Colin Igboma (Casey Dudley), Jack Sammoutis, Alfie Bloomfield (Ellis Proctor), Jack Low, Clarence Tambe

Subs, not used – Alfie Morgan, Anthony Lewis-Obiang, Josh Harper

SITTINGBOURNE – Jamie Grossart, Skye Salmon, Jean Baptiste – Fischer, Luke Woodward (Eren Kinali), Gavin Hoyte, Reiss Greenidge, Khavarn Williams (Darren Foxley), Jaiden Chang – Brown, Kieron Agbebi (Jordan Greenidge), Harvey Smith (Joe Boachie), Samson Uwandu (Jordy Mongoy)

Subs, not used – D’Sean Theobalds, Bagasan Graham

REFEREE – Samuel Akande