Ben Aubrey’s glancing header was enough for Peacehaven & Telscombe to end Sittingbourne’s unbeaten start to the League season. 

The striker’s glancing header in the closing stages of the first half – from Ein Aynititri’s cross – was the shining light in a desperately disappointing first half where the home side didn’t reach anywhere near the levels that they have this season. 

After the break, Peacehaven were happy to settle with what they had, and even “just” on the break looked more threatening than the home side – Aynitotri crashed an effort off the outside of a post, Connor Tighe shot wide when he should have hit the target and Eman Ohunja was denied by a smart save. Only in stoppage time did Sittingbourne threaten when Joe Boachie’s header was magnificently saved by James Broadbent. 

It really was a tough watch for the Brickies in the crowd as the home side struggled to get any freedom and the free-flowing football that had come at the start of the season simply wasn’t on display. Indeed, in a very poor first period, skipper Bagasan Graham had the best chances for the home side – firstly forcing Broadbent into a good low save by the foot of his right post, and then as a ball into the box deflected high into the air, Harvey Smith looped a header onto the roof of the net. 

In their only attack worthy of the name in the opening half, the visitors took a lead that they weren’t to lose – Aynitotri played a super ball in from the left, and Aubrey’s glancing header gave Grossart no chance. 

Having something to hang onto, Peacehaven now let Sittingbourne press, but as they did, the home side left gaps at the back that were nearly exploited. Aynitotri smacked an effort off the outside of the left post, and then the same player pulled the ball back for Tighe, and his shot curled the wrong side of the right post. 

It was only in closing stages that the game really came to life – Khavarn Williams jinking run and shot hit Jake Baldey on the back and looped wide; Jaiden Chang curled an effort inches wide of the Peacehaven right post which Grossart pulled off a smart save with his legs to keep out Lewis Beebee’s late effort. 

There was one big chance for the home side late on and whilst Joe Boachie’s header was true it was straight at Broadbent who fingertipped the effort over. 

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

PEACEHAVEN & TELSCOMBE – Broadbent, Aynitotri (Zabudne), Baldey, Matthews, Tighe (Ohunja), Edwards. Osei, Aubrey (Beebee), Parker (Docherty), Kemna, Barclay 

Subs – Scrafton  

REFEREE – Mr Olol