Sittingbourne defender Liam Smith reflects on Isthmian South East play-off final defeat after a season to remember for the Brickies

Liam Smith says it will take time to get over Sittingbourne’s Isthmian South East play-off final defeat.

Smith took the captain’s armband after Bagasan Graham went off injured against Burgess Hill on Friday night.

The defender scored the Brickies’ first penalty - an emphatic strike into the top corner - but the visitors won the shoot-out 3-2 after a 1-1 draw at Woodstock.

It was a second final defeat in three seasons for Smith, who was part of the Hythe side beaten 1-0 by Whitehawk in 2023.

“I absolutely love football so to lose, it’s a killer,” he said.

“It will definitely feel bad for a little while.

“Fair play to Burgess Hill, they were very good and deserved it but when you go to penalties, it’s the flick of a coin.”

Sittingbourne couldn’t recreate their league form as a long season caught up with them.

It reminded Smith of his previous final but the outcome shouldn’t detract from a year to remember.

The Brickies finished runners-up with a record points total of 101 and enjoyed a history-making run to the FA Trophy quarter-finals, beating National League Southend en route.

“I’ve never heard of a play-off final to be a good game, if I’m honest,” said Smith.

“I’ve been in one before and it was probably the worst play-off final I’ve ever seen, so that’s just what happens.

“It’s not about that, it’s about the chance to go up and it normally does come down to one goal or penalties and we were on the wrong end of it.

“I’ve said to the younger boys you’ve just got to be proud of yourselves.

“Take in how much it hurts and remember that for next time because you don’t want that feeling again.

“We’ve had an unbelievable season, 101 points and a great run in the FA Trophy.

“I’m gutted we haven’t got over the line but we’ve got