For the third League game running, Sittingbourne left it so late to seal a result as a Harvey Smith header ensured a really hard fought 2-1 for the Brickies over newly promoted Whitstable Town at the Belmont.
Last season’s SCEFL Champions, playing their first home League game back at this level, were behind early on when Smith arrowed a drive into the bottom corner after great hold up play from Jordan Greenidge.
But the Oystermen, who lost an entire team and manager over the summer, came roaring back with some direct play that the Brickies found tough to deal with and soon Alex Wall had got on the end of one massive clearance to head the home side level.
The home side continued getting some good advantages from playing so directly that the visitors were at times stretched almost to breaking point.
But as the second period wore on, this local derby became more of an end-to-end contest which both sides could have won. The fact that the Brickies did was down to a pinpoint corner from Jean-Baptiste Fischer and a thumping header from Smith for his third goal of the season to break Whitstable hearts – and it was a double-edged sword for the young striker as Smith played such a massive part in bringing the FA Vase to the Belmont sixteen months ago!
Indeed, it was Smith who had rifled the Brickies in front after only eight minutes. A lofted ball into the box fell to Jordan Greenidge whose lay off was almost perfect for Smith to hammer beyond Dan Colmer and into the bottom corner to give Sittingbourne the lead.
The home side’s intentions were clear from the off with long booming balls forward which the visitor’s defence did struggle to come to terms with, and the equaliser was to show.
A huge Colmer kick out simply wasn’t dealt with and Hall got between defender and keeper and lifted the ball into the net despite the efforts of Gavin Hoyte to clear off the line.
It gave the home side the impetus as they kicked down the slope – a free kick was fizzed across the Sittingbourne goal; Ryan Bernal then created a golden chance for Perri Iandolo who snatched at the shot and sent the ball sailing over, but just before the break, Jamie Grosshart had to be at his agile best to tip over Harrison Pont’s pile driver.
The second period began as the first with the Brickies now on top – a ball in from Jean-Baptiste Fisher fell to Jordan Greenidge who couldn’t force the ball over the line, before the visitors thought they’d got the lead back as a header from Jordan Greenidge from a corner was touched in at the far post by an offside player.
The game ebbed and flowed, end to end, and only Wall will know how his header missed from Bernal’s cross. Grosshart was forced into action again to block Kenny Aileru’s run and shot.
Jordoy Mongoy was then denied twice in quick succession with excellent blocks by Colmer – the first from the right and the second when the winger reacted quickest to a loose ball.
Grosshart then denied Pont again with another excellent strike before the grandstand finish which saw Smith stooping to powerfully head Fisher’s corner beyond Colmer to spark wild scenes from the travelling Brickies as Sittingbourne netted their third stoppage time goal already this fledgling season.
WHITSTABLE TOWN – Colmer, Green, Panter, Pont, Wall (Rees), Aileru, Thompson (Nelson), Hanfrey, Lucan, Bernal (Ogunrinde), Iandolo (Young).
Sub not used – Boxall.
SITTINGBOURNE – Grosshart, Fisher, Graham, Woodward (Chang), Hoyte, Reiss Greenidge, Foxley (Williams), Theobalds, Jordan Greenidge (Uwandu), Smith, Mongoy.
Subs not used – Agbebi, Salmon.
REFEREE – Mr Bone