Hillians in seventh heaven

Manager Ian Chapman made three changes from the side which went down 5-4 against Hythe at the weekend with Toby Pointing, Joe Keehan and Paul Armstrong coming in for Neil Watts, Danny Curd and Spencer Slaughter respectively.

Hillians set for the tone for the game when after only a minute the lead was taken when Greg Luer crossed to Pat Harding who flicked the ball past the keeper.

The visitors nearly equalised immediately when Hicham Akhazzan broke down the left and crossed to Stephen Okoh who’s shot crept past the far post.

Paul Armstrong was fouled on the edge of the box after 9 minutes and the referee awarded a free kick from which Luer doubled the lead when he neatly curled the ball over the wall and into the bottom corner.

Hill continued to dominate possession and but were unable to add to the two goals already scored.

Matt Morrish in the Hillians goal made a good save from Luke Girt’s header but it was the Hill’s Darren Budd who increased the lead in the 44th minute. Pat Harding put the skipper through and he slotted past Andy Molloy in the Brickies goal for his third goal in the last two games.

Sittingbourne pulled a goal back during injury time of the first half when full back Tom Brunt struck a shot from 25 yards and into the bottom corner.

The hosts again started brightly and held possession well and deservedly restored the three goal lead nine minutes into the second half when an excellent long ball from Lee Denyer found Paul Armstrong out on the right and he sent in a perfect cross from which Pat Harding rose well to head powerfully home for his 25th goal of the season. .

It was nearly 5-1 a few minutes later when a corner was punched out by keeper Molloy only to Armstrong on the edge of the box and his effort was tipped over the bar for another corner.

Lee Harding saw an effort brilliantly tipped round post by Molloy and minutes later he turned provider as he set up the fifth Hill goal. He powerfully charged down the left and crossed the ball low which Luer dummied and the ball found experienced midfielder Armstrong who curled a brilliant shot into the net from the just outside the area on 65 minutes.

Hill made a double change four minutes later with Max Miller and Spencer Slaughter coming on and it was Slaughter who got the sixth after being on for just five minutes. Pat Harding put the midfielder through and he shot under the keeper from a tight angle.

A near exact effort four minutes saw Slaughter score again but this time it was ruled out by the linesman’s flag.

The scoring was completed on 85 minutes courtesy of sub Miller. Armstrong slipped the ball to Slaughter who squared for the young striker to score at the second attempt.

The result sees the Hillians move up to seventh place and just six points behind Hastings United in the final play-off spot with nine games remaining.

Hillians: Matt Morrish, Toby Pointing, Sam Fisk, Joe Keehan, Lee Denyer, Graham Martin (Scott Kirkwood 77), Darren Budd (Spencer Slaughter 69), Paul Armstrong, Lee Harding, Greg Luer (Max Miller 69), Pat Harding.

Not used: Danny Curd, Neil Watts.