Sittingbourne bounced back from their defeat at Ramsgate to end Danny Kedwell’s unbeaten start as Ashford United boss as the Brickies came from behind on Bank Holiday Monday. 

After Ashford’s draw with Margate on Friday night, Sittingbourne’s unbeaten start had been washed away at Southwood on Saturday, and boss Ryan Maxwell had demanded a response from his side. But when an uncharacteristic mistake from keeper Harley Earle gifted Louis Collins the easiest of chances to open the scoring, doubts must have been asked. The home side though rallied after the break and courtesy of goals from Troy Howard, Mitch May, and Jay Beckford – all second half substitutes – the Brickies in the end ran out extremely comfortable winners. 

Ashford arrived in Swale looking to protect their unbeaten start, but in truth they rarely threatened the home goal as the Brickies bossed the opening half. Henry Sinai had the games first real chance forcing Mitch Beeney into a fine low save before the follow up was blocked. 

It was a real surprise when Ashford took the lead as it came totally out of the ball as Earle got his clearance all wrong leaving Collins with the easiest of chances to open the scoring. 

The home side replied without making any clear-cut chances – Richie Hammill’s drive was blocked by a defender; Sinai thought he had levelled after racing clear onto a through ball from Kingsford only for Benney to pull off an excellent save and Codey Cosgrave fired just over at the end of a frustrating half for the home side. 

The introduction of Howard just after the break gave the Brickies a spur and just before the hour, the winger was brilliantly played through by Chris Arthur, and he picked his spot low beyond Beeney and into the bottom corner for the deserved equaliser for the home side. 

Howard then turned provider as his pinpoint cross was headed home by May for his sixth goal of the season at the back post as Sittingbourne finally edged in front sixteen minutes from time. 

Ashford’s only attempt worthy of a very disappointing second period came shortly afterwards but Jack Saunders effort was comfortably saved by Earle. 

If the introductions of Howard and may had been good, the arrival of Beckford on eighty-four minutes was explosive and with one of his first touches he picked up a fine pass from Howard and arrowed a shot past the despairing Beeney to seal three well deserved points for Sittingbourne. 

SITTINGBOURNE – Earle, Jones, Lukombo, El-Mogharbel (May), Smith, Arthur, Sinai (Beckford), Hammill, Kingsford (Georgiou), Cosgrave, Boachie (Howard) 

Sub – Torsiello 

ASHFORD UNITED – Beeney, Moses, Taylor, Dunne, Stone, Walsh (Berry), Saunders (St Louis), Lockyer, Collins, Martin (Ramadan), Jonah 

Subs – Adesanya, Spiers 

REFEREE – Mr Dann-Pye 

Images courtesy of Paul Golding