Rub of the green has deserted the Crows.
For only the second time this season the Crows have lost back to back games following their 1-0 away defeat at Bearsted FC on Tuesday evening and the defeat in this game, 2-1. The first time it happened was back in November 2017 when the Crows suffered a 3-2 loss at Rusthall FC, then lost by the same 3-2 score line in a cup fixture on a very wet night down at Pagham FC.
With the squad suffering with injuries, suspensions, unavailability and, of course, fatigue, changes in the starting eleven occurred again as Barton, Walder, White, Muggeridge, Stone, Phipp and Cole were removed either entirely or to the bench from the eleven who started on Tuesday. Therefore, Goldsmith, Crabb, Tear, Taiwo, Attwood, Carrington and Perry came in accordingly to the starting eleven.
Both sides started brightly with half chances at either end however, the away side took the lead in the 12th minute when Turner and Davis chased a ball in to the Crows area and as a result Davis fell to the ground, resulting in match referee, Notis Liappis, pointing to the penalty spot. Whilst the Crows felt aggrieved at the decision, Bradshaw made no mistake from the resulting kick, Burbridge with no chance to save it.
The home side then went on the offensive, Attwood went close with a great lob, Carrington had a good chance but his effort hit the side netting before a couple of minutes later a goalmouth scramble ensued in the Sheppey United area which saw the ball blocked on the line from a Perry effort before being gathered by their goalkeeper Glover.
The Ites made it 2-0 almost immediately after the scramble, Bradshaw rising the highest to head a Cox cross in to the net in the 21st minute, which at the time was slightly against the run of play and hard on the Crows.
Cox received a yellow card for a tackle on Vickers in the 30th minute which required the Crow to receive treatment unfortunately, Vickers had to go off in the end to be replaced by Barton in the 35th minute.
Bradshaw had a great chance to secure his hat trick in the 39th minute but his effort went wide and out for a goal kick. Then it was the Crows turn to go forward, Goldsmith having a header saved by Glover before Taiwo had a rasping drive from the edge of the area which just went over the bar with Glover beaten.
The second half wasn't as free-flowing as the first and it wasn't until the 62nd minute that either side had an effort at goal, Taiwo trying his luck again from the edge area with the same result, the ball going over the bar.
With a two-goal lead to hold on to the away side were resolute in defence, strong in midfield and quick up front, plus they did partake in the professional way of playing the game, wasting time whenever they could, appealing for everything and having plenty to say to the match officials.
Attwood left the pitch in the 68th minute, Stone coming on and only three minutes later, Muggeridge came on for Perry whilst the Ites replaced Davis with Babbington.
Only a minute later Turner received a yellow card for dissent before the Crows had something to cheer about, Crabb controlling a great cross from Taiwo well before firing the ball past Glover and in to the Sheppey goal for 2-1 to the visitors.
In the 83rd minute, first Crabb and then Carrington were brought down inside the Sheppey area, the second challenge ending up with a penalty being awarded to the Crows. However, there was quite a delay as Carrington need a couple of minutes treatment before Taiwo was allowed to take it, a delay that did nothing for him or the Crows as his spot-kick as Glover made a good save and the ball was eventually cleared.
From thereon in the Sheppey defence held firm for the win and therefore, gain revenge for our win at their place earlier in the year.