Sittingbourne came from behind three times to remain unbeaten under Reece Prestedge as they were held at the Staxson Stadium by a rugged Sevenoaks Town.
The visitors grabbed an early lead when Jefferson Aibangbee was allowed too much room to score. Henry Sinai’s brilliant strike from Richie Hamill’s magnificent pass levelled things but in added “added” time in the first half (the referee indicated only three minutes and the goal came after nearly five and a half with no further injuries or stoppages occurring), the visitors were back in front when Charlie Dickens bundled home from a corner which ended the opening period.
Immediately after the break, Harvey Smith’s precision strike brought the home side level again. Yet despite Sittingbourne dominating for long periods, a big defensive slip late on seemed to have presented Dan Duncanson with the Sevenoaks winner. But the Brickies kept going and in the final minute of stoppage time with the last kick of the game, skipper Bagasan Graham poked home from a corner to rescue a deserved point for the home side.
Sevenoaks included former Brickies keeper Dan Ellis in goal as first choice keeper Jordan Perrin was injured and Ellis looked on early on as the visitors had the better of the early chances with Tolu Jonah denied by a great Ben Swift block and the visitors went ahead when Aibangbee drilled home at the end of a quick break.
The Brickies levelled as Hamill’s superb ball forward was magnificently controlled by Sinai who’s shot on the turn flew into the top corner giving Ellis no chance.
Tom Hanfrey then tested keeper Jamie Grosshart from a free-kick as the half headed towards the break – a break that was somehow extended by nearly four minutes over the “suggested” extra time and in the fifth of three minutes, the visitors retook the lead as Grosshart appeared to have been impeded but Dickens touch was allowed to stand.
The Brickies response though was instant at the start of the second period as Smith was played through by Darren Foxley and he arrowed a shot into the bottom corner and the home side were level again.
The Brickies smelled blood and went in search of the games fifth goal – Smith headed a Hamill free kick the wrong side of the post; somehow the Sevenoaks defence cleared a free-kick as both Sinai and Jack Steventon were denied; Sinai was then “denied” by Ellis as it appeared the keeper had wiped out the Sittingbourne striker – referee Griffin though “only” awarded the home side a corner; Sinai again was played through only to be denied by a magnificent tackle from Hanson Itauma!
It really didn’t look like it was going to be the Brickies afternoon – a thought that magnified as Sevenoaks were gifted a third goal as Grosshart mis controlled a back pass and then slipped gifting the ball to Duncanson who accepted the gift with just six minutes remaining.
The home side to their credit kept probing and sub-Derek Asamoah thought he’d levelled at 3-3 only for Jonah to arrive from nowhere to slide the ball behind after Asamoah had rounded the keeper.
With all hope seemingly lost the Brickies had one last corner in the final minute of six added on at the end – Hamill took it and somehow skipper Graham was able to prod the ball over the line to give Sittingbourne the point they at very least deserved.
SITTINGBOURNE – Grosshart, Crowhurst (Hoyte), Graham, Hamill, Steventon, Swift, Foxley (Anthony), Theobalds, Smith (Asamoah), Fischer, Sinai
Subs – Woodward, Boachie
SEVENOAKS TOWN – Ellis, Diomande, Dickens, Dupray (Howlett-Mundle), Hanfrey, Jonah, Itauma, Perez (Duncanson), Mfula (Arthur), Eruotor (Borders) Aibangbee
Sub – Howard
REFEREE – Mr. Griffin