Jack Steventon got the only goal to steer Sittingbourne to a derby home win over Herne Bay to boost their Isthmian South East promotion prospects on Saturday.
After a goalless first period, defender Steventon netted as it ended 1-0 to the Brickies on a sunny, but crisp, afternoon at the Woodstock ground.
Defender Jack Steventon – got the game’s only goal as the Brickies secured a 1-0 Isthmian South East derby success over Herne Bay on Saturday. Picture: Ian Scammell
The result means play-off occupants Sittingbourne have taken 10 points from their past five league fixtures while Bay remain firmly in the middle echelons of the league.
The visitors had been first to go close as defender Gavin Hoyte cleared midfielder Harvey Brand’s effort after debutant Rex Porter saved a low right-wing effort by Emmanuel Robe in the 10th minute.
Four minutes later, the away team – being led by chairman Matt Barman and director of football Dan Tanner from the dugout for the third time since Liam Friend’s dismissal as player-boss – were indebted to Archie Burford.
Goalkeeper Burford punched Jaden Crowhurst’s in-swinging corner under severe pressure in front of a 349-strong crowd.
The recalled Zaid Al-Hussaini, 25, really should have broken the deadlock for Herne Bay when a right-wing delivery came to him. But he blasted his 27th-minute effort miles over.
Herne Bay director of football Dan Tanner and chairman Matt Barman are in temporary charge of the team. Picture: Stuart Watson
A minute later at the other end, Burford again had to be alert to tip wide a long-range shot before defender Joe Tyrie cleared off the line. He made a key interception after Steventon found space at the back post from a corner.
Sittingbourne’s next opportunity came as midfielder D’Sean Theobalds failed to hit the target when he let fly from around 20 yards out.
Veteran striker Derek Asamoah broke into the penalty box for Reece Prestedge’s team, his drive stinging Burford’s palms with 40 minutes played at the end of a pretty scrappy first period.
A half-time substitution for Barman’s visitors saw 17-goal top scorer Kamani McFarlane replace Al-Hussaini.
Within 40 second-half seconds, French forward Robe dragged wide of Porter’s right-hand post for them against his former club.
The away team were forced into a tactical reshuffle shortly before the hour. The cautioned Matty Holness, who was on a final warning from referee Jake Woodman, was replaced by Jude Sutton as captain and left-back Rhys Wyborn switched flanks.
Sittingbourne striker Mitchell May then bent wide of Burford’s left-hand post on 62 minutes.
But midway through the second period, the Brickies broke the deadlock.
Steventon was eventually credited with the goal as he nodded a corner towards goal, and beyond Burford, at the far post despite a team-mate thumping into the net to make sure.
Brickies substitute Darren Foxley cut inside with 17 minutes left and saw his shot drift inches wide.
Two minutes later, Porter did well to save and gather an effort by former Bromley youngster Wyborn.
Midfielder Henry Sinai failed to hit the target with an 83rd-minute free-kick as the hosts looked for a game-clinching second.
Five minutes of stoppage time was added but Herne Bay never really looked like threatening an equaliser and, indeed, the majority of the play still was taking place in their own half for much of it.
On-loan goalkeeper Porter had come into Sittingbourne’s starting line-up in one of two switches from their midweek 3-0 victory at Erith Town.
Bromley teenager Porter replaced Jamie Grossart while captain Bagasan Graham came in for centre-back Ben Swift.
The visitors’ two changes saw Al-Hussaini and Alfie Hill come in for McFarlane and Steven Townsend from Tuesday’s 3-1 loss at relegation-threatened Beckenham, with the latter forward having signed for Southern Counties East League Premier Division side Snodland Town.
For the Brickies, they will host fellow promotion-chasers AFC Whyteleafe next weekend and Herne Bay travel to Sevenoaks on the same afternoon.
Sittingbourne: Porter, Hoyte, Morgan, Woodward, Graham, Steventon, Sinai, Theobalds, May (Smith 80mins), D.Asamoah (Fischer 74mins), Crowhurst (Foxley 67mins). Subs not used: Z.Asamoah, Hamill.
Herne Bay: Burford, Holness (Sutton 58mins), Wyborn, Brand, Tyrie, Al-Hussaini (McFarlane 46mins), Antonio, Samuel-Smikle (Caney-Bryan 79mins), Hill (Jeffrey 74mins), Robe (Lartice 79mins), McCarthy.
Referee: Jake Woodman.
Attendance: 349.
