Coming into the game, both hosts, Sevenoaks Town, and visitors AFC Croydon Athletic knew that the victors of the encounter would ease into the Isthmian League South East Division play-off zone.

After ninety enthralling, and sometimes frantic, minutes it was the Oaks who prevailed.

David Bremang had the first chance of the match for Croydon when Eddie Dsane and Brandon Pierrick combined to set him up but he slid his effort the wrong side of the far post.

Then the home team had a spell of dominance. Harvey Brand’s shot from twenty yards was deflected wide before Nathan Jeche’s effort struck a defender which took the sting out of it allowing Amadou Tangara to make an easy save. Courtney Barrington cut in and fired over before whipping in another attempt just beyond the post.

Although Jaden Perez half-volleyed over from the edge of the area, the Oaks supporters didn’t have to wait too much longer before seeing their team go ahead. Kevin Diomande crossed and when the defence couldn’t clear, Jeche took full advantage by sweeping it home.

Luke O’Neill hit a long range shot for the Rams that swirled and goalkeeper Jordan Perrie had to beat it out. Then Pierrick cut in from the right and placed his effort wide of the near post. Barrington had the last two attempts of the first half, first when going on a great run and hitting a shot that Tangara blocked away, then when Noah Carney and Jeche combined to set him up, he fired wide of the near post.

Early in the second period, Diomande burst down the right but his low shot was saved easily by Tangara then Josh Williams struck a free kick from the right wing and Perrin got down sharply and clung on well.

Just shy of the hour mark, the visitors levelled. Williams crossed low and hard from the left, and in his effort to cut it out, Diomande diverted it into his own net.

Five minutes later, Diomande atoned when he broke forward, went outside his man and struck a fierce drive just inside the near post.

Looking for a response Dsane’s hopeful effort flew beyond the far post then James Taylor’s long range drive was held by a diving Perrin. Sevenoaks substitute James Jeffrey lost possession but showed the tenacity to win it back before finding Jeche who shot straight at Tangara.

As the clock ticked down and Croydon pressed for an equaliser, the Oaks created one more chance when Barrington’s shot was beaten out by Tangara as far as Jeffrey but he was unable to keep his follow-up down.

On Saturday, Sevenoaks visit Horley Town, the first of five away games in their next six matches as they look to build on their back to back victories.

Sevenoaks Town: Perrin, Diomande, Amgbaduba, Jonah, Dickens; Brand; Carney (Jeffrey 59), Borders, Perez (Majekodunmi 78), Barrington; Jeche (Davidson 87). Unused sub: Brooks, Readshaw.

Goalscorer: Jeche (21), Diomande (63)
Yellow cards: Jeche (45+1 foul), Dickens (56 foul).

AFC Croydon Athletic: Tangara; Marjoram (Daniel 46), Wynter, O’Neill, Watson; Pierrick, Johnson-Palmer (Paxman 65), Taylor; D’Sane, Bremang (McCarthy 46), Williams. Unused subs: Bower, Dunne.

Goalscorers: Diomande own goal (58)
Yellow cards: Paxman (90+3 foul)

Referee: Harry Wood
Assistants: Leigh Newby and Thomas Murray

Attendance:

Images courtesy of Carter Marling-Smith