It’s said a week is a long time in politics – in football it can be as well as both Dsean Theobalds and Danny Parish proved in Sittingbourne’s come from behind win against East Grinstead Town. 

Seven days previously, both Parish and Theobalds missed penalties in the Brickies FA Cup win over VCD Athletic. Move on one week and nearly all was forgiven by the Sittingbourne faithful as Theobalds hit a spectacular equaliser into the top corner from nearly thirty yards, before Parish magnificently headed home a last-minute winner to propel the Brickies top of the early season table. 

The visitors were ahead at the breakthrough Ollie Rawlins side footed effort only the home side deservedly drew level through Theobalds thunderbolt and on the stroke of full time, Parish rose to power Jaden Crowhurst’s cross to send the home fans wild. 

A tight opening half hour saw the only chance of note almost falling to Ellis Brown who just couldn’t reach Correy Davidson’s deep cross. The visitors then took the lead as Rawlins was in the right place to turn in a delightful centre at the back post to rock the home side and Rawlins was unlucky with a second effort just before the break which keeper Mitch Beeney did well to save. In between Brown curled a corner onto the face of the bar. 

After the break the home side laid siege; Theobalds couldn’t divert a centre from the outstanding Ayman El-Mogharbel, Parish hit the post from a header, El-Mogharbel shot over, Bagasan Graham fizzed a shot a yard wide and then forced keeper Rex Porter to his knees from 20and just as the home fans began to think it wouldn’t come, up stepped Theobalds to gloriously hammer into the top corner from 25 yards top deservedly bring the home side level. 

Parish fizzed a ball across the box and El-Mogharbel hit a screamer just too high as the home side went in search of a winner by time became the Brickies enemy as the visitors tried to claim their first League point of the season. 

But it wasn’t to be for the Sussex side as with ninety minutes showing on the clock, Crowhurst’s first touch (from a great touch from Gavin Hoyte) was a sublime cross which was met by Parish and his header flew past Porter and sparked wild scenes of celebration both on and off the pitch and the points were won as the home side made it three wins from three as they head into Mondays “El-Swaleico” away to rivals Sheppey United. 

SITTINGBOURNE – Beeney, Hoyte, Graham (Ambroisine), Woodward, Steventon, El-Mogharbel, Brown (Phipps), Theobalds, Isiaka (Parish), Burgin (Crowhurst), Davidson (Foxley) 

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN – Porter, Wooster, Hasler (Hall-Anderson) (Laws), Cadman, Weaire, Richardson, Ukah, Benito (Griffiths), Rawlins (Folkes), Lovatt, Daniel 

Sub – Trevatt 

REFEREE – Mr. Jeffrey  

Images courtesy of Gracie Joines