An early Rushaar Samuel-Smikle penalty earned Sittingbourne three important points at a damp Pilot Field on Tuesday against Hastings United – but that only tells half the story as keeper Joe Osaghae played for the whole second half with a suspected broken left hand. 

What proved to be the only goal of the game came in the opening minutes as the former Crowborough striker was brought down in the box and after dusting himself down, hammered the ball beyond a despairing former Brickies keeper Harley Earle for his first Brickies goal – but that’s only half the story on a night of Swale heroics on the Sussex coast. 

The home side on a cold damp night dominated possession but rarely threatened Osaghae’s goal until a glancing header from a free kick hit the left post.

The keeper injured his hand towards the end of the half and in the second period, the home side again bossed possession but the hard working Brickies inspired by their keeper and back line were to hold firm – Osaghae making one truly brilliant right handed save and then a remarkable “basketball” type save late on and Chris Arthur’s injury time block summed up what was a truly superb team performance. 

The Brickies could have been in front before Samuel-Simkle’s penalty as Troy Howard’s teasing ball in from the right was just too far in front of Derek Asamoah. Samuel-Smikle was then upended in the box and duly hammered the spot kick into the top corner of the net. 

Howard and Asamoah then combined again and Earle was fortunate not to have the ball run free whilst Osaghae was called into action to keep out Fin Chapman’s effort. 

Shortly before half time, Freddie Legg’s free kick was glanced goalwards by Walter Figueira only for the header to hit the left post and that was followed by Osaghae making a really brave save at the feet of Chapman which could well have been the incident that damaged the keeper’s hand. 

Just past the hour mark, Jack Lyons was left holding his head as his drive which seemed destined for the top corner was somehow tipped wide by a flying keeper. 

The Brickies had the chance to seal the points when Jaden Crowhurst’s deep recycled ball from a corner, was headed wide by Jack Steventon at the back post and in stoppage time the points were sealed for the Brickies by Chris Arthur’s incredible late block to deny home substitute-James Hill.  

HASTINGS UNITED – Earle, Clifford, Nwike, Scarles (Hill), Phipps, Lubanga, Legg, Lyons, Chapman, Ball, Figueira.

Subs not used – Taggart, Rabbaj, Swainton, Allan.

SITTINGBOURNE – Osaghae, Hoyte, Arthur, Hamill, Steventon, Asamoah, Howard, Theobalds, Samuel-Simkle, Woodward, Sinai.

Sub not used – Robe.

REFEREE – Mr. Lamping