Harvey Smith’s sixth minute penalty was enough to end Sittingbourne’s wretched start to September as the Brickies eased past new promoted Punjab United in a close tense encounter. 

Despite their Cup form, the Brickies went into the game third in the table after three wins and a draw from their four League games thus far, and thanks to Smith’s early spot kick – given after Darren Foxley had been pole-axed – things looked good for the visitors. 

But United dug in and had their chances too but when they did get past the impressive Dexter Peter and Reiss Greenidge at the heart of Sittingbourne’s back line, found keeper Jamie Grossart back to his best. 

The only goal of the early kick off was netted before many team sheets had been exchanged in other games when Foxley danced into the box only to be brought down, and Smith hammered the ball past Jacob Russell to give Sittingbourne the lead. 

Smith went close again with a low drive that Russell just watched fly past the right post. Whilst kicking up the slope, Punjab slowly got into the game and Grossart had to be at his very best to tip over a viscous teasing cross from the right. 

Harry Ottaway was lively throughout for the home side and from one of his runs down the left his cross was met by Jack Hopkins who was brilliantly denied by Grossart to keep the Brickies in front at the break. 

Early in the second period, Bagasan Graham went close with a header that was cleared off the Punjab line at one end, whilst from their own corner the ball was allowed to bounce through the Sittingbourne box only to be recycled to Ottaway but his ball back into the box didn’t find a red shirt. 

Sub Joe Boachie was denied by Russell’s legs after D’Sean Theobalds had done well whilst Ottaway crashed a free kick over the bar. Luke Woodward had the game’s final chance but was again denied by Russell and as the ball ran loose, Boachie crashed the ball over the bar. 

More of that needed for the Brickies to recapture the League form whilst Punjab now head to Faversham on Tuesday still looking to break their Isthmian League duck. 

PUNJAB UNITED – Russell, Edwards, Lewin-Thomas, Bushell, Ratcliff (Jordan Campbell), Hopkins, El-Mogharbel (Scudder), Bryon, Ronan Campbell, Ottaway, Oluwodemo (Jordan Campbell).

Subs not used – Singh, Carey. 

SITTINGBOURNE – Grossart, Hoyte, Graham, Woodward, Peter, Reiss Greenidge, Foxley (Boachie), Theobalds, Jordan Greenidge, Smith (Agbebi), Mongoy (Williams).

Subs not used – Salmon, Uwandu.

REFEREE – Mr Williams 

Pictures supplied by Paul Golding.