Two late goals from Dan Smith secured Folkestone Invicta a come from behind win against Sittingbourne at Woodstock on an evening when both sides paid tribute to the late Brickies director Peter Pitts. 

Mr. Pitts who along with his twin brother John have been at the heart and soul of the Brickies for more than thirty years, tragically passed away this week and the home faithful paid their own tribute with a rousing rendition of “There’s only one Peter Pitts…” which brought tears from many! 

The game itself was a decent near competitive contest with both sides striving to gain the victory as the first half saw a keen tussle.

Donvieve Jones, starting his first pre-season game for the home side was the hero early on with a magnificent diving stop to deny Tom Derry before the Folkestone striker’s effort from the rebound was superbly turned aside by keeper Harley Earle. 

The home side’s best chance of the first half fell to Liam Smith who thundered a drive inches over the Invicta bar from a corner. 

Half time saw the “usual” bucket load of substitutions and it was the visitors who settled first as Derry was denied by a really good low save from Earle at the foot of his right post. 

The deadlock was broken when the home side went in front from a corner. Gil Carvalho’s drive was magnificently tipped over by Jonny Henly, but from the corner, Eman Robe stooped to put the Brickies in front. 

The game was stretched as the half went on, but it wasn’t until the final minutes that Invicta were able to level – Smith drilling home a shot on the turn from the edge of the box.

Moments later Smith struck again which was tough on the Brickies – Frankie Morgan’s low shot cannoned off the left post and Smith was quickest to react and rolled the ball into the net. 

A good close contest that both managers welcomed with the League season getting closer by the day… 

SITTINGBOURNE – Earle, Jones, Graham, Poku, Smith, Arthur, Howard, Cosgrave, May, Ayman, Sinai 

Subs – Beckford, Boache, Carvalho, Hammill, Lukombo, Robe, Tossell, Trialist 

FOLKESTONE INVICTA – Henly, Hoyte, Morgan, Gayle, Odeniran, Rance, Jebb, Derry, Young, Kouassi 

Subs – Brodie, Ekpetita, Kennedy, Luque, Sessegnon, Smith, Walledge 

REFEREE – Mr. Cox