Sittingbourne’s very own super-sub settled the first three points of 2022 as Toby Bancroft’s first goal for the Brickies was enough to see over Sevenoaks Town at Woodstock Park.

The result was tough on former Sittingbourne stopper Joe Docherty, who pulled off a handful of fine saves to deny his former team-mates but even he was left helpless as Bancroft was in the right place at the right time just seconds after coming on for the hobbling Johan Caney-Bryan to prod the ball over the Sevenoaks line.

In truth, the home side could and perhaps should have won by more, but Brickie’s boss Darren Blackburn will have been pleased with the way his side showed great bounce back ability following the disappointing derby defeat at Faversham – or would have had he not been pacing his front room due to testing positive for COVID!

After an even start, Docherty pulled off a terrific save to deny Ahmed Abdulla before somehow blocking the follow ups from Kane Rowland and Duane Ofori-Acheampong. The Sevenoaks keeper then excelled again to keep out Abdulla’s low drive before Johan Caney-Bryan could get a shot on target after Acheampong’s powerful run down the flanks.

After the break, Docherty pulled off arguably the best save of the game to deny Acheampong’s run and shot and from the corner, Caney-Bryan looped a header onto the roof of the Sevenoaks net. Jed Smith was the next to test Docherty with a low drive – from an excellent Rowland flick – as the home side searched for an opening goal.

Caney-Bryan was forced off with a leg injury and Bancroft took his place and within a minute – and with his first touch – he was on hand to force the ball over the line after Docherty had again blocked Acheampong’s effort.

Within minutes, Abdulla had golden opportunity but blazed wide and Bancroft again brought a fine save out of the overworked Sevenoaks stopper.

It really was a matter of whether the home side could extend their advantage in the closing stages and the unlucky Acheampong was unlucky again as a snap effort cannoned to safety off the left post.

The visitor’s afternoon was compounded in the final minutes when striker Fjord Rogers was sent off for a “challenge” on Harrison Pont which gave referee Wood little choice as Sevenoaks crashed to their fifth successive defeat.

SITTINGBOURNE – Brooks, Okoye, Fisher, Sam Flisher (Alex Flisher), Hamilton, Pont, Smith (Christian-Law), Abdulla, Acheampong, Rowland, Caney-Bryan (Bancroft)

Subs – Stannard, Monger

SEVENOAKS TOWN – Docherty, Divine, Fregene, Leppard, Freeman Rogers, Smith, Dunn, Ikpeme (Welford), Fjord Rogers, Collins, Welsh (Bah)

Subs – Davisson, Watson, Jno-Baptiste

REFEREE – Mr Wood