Sittingbourne returned to winning ways in the best way possible – a resounding win on Derby Day against Faversham Town that ended an unbeaten League run.

And for boss Darren Blackburn a first win as a manager over James Collins, who will have been disappointed and frustrated as his Faversham Town side ended well beaten.

In a game where both sides knew the importance for their supporters with local bragging rights up for grabs, it was the Brickies who scored either end of the opening period through Taylor Fisher and Johan Caney-Bryan – both from Toby Ajala free kicks – before Ajala himself took advantage of a defensive lapse to brilliantly lob home from fully forty yards.

Not even the controversial sending off of skipper Kane Rowland or a late Faversham goal from Harry Harding could take the gloss off a fine win for the home side, who made it six League points out of six at Woodstock.

The home side were in front early on as Fisher drilled the ball home after Ajala’s free kick had caused chaos. Caney-Bryan forced keeper Luke Watkins into a smart save only for Fisher to fire home through the crowd.

Harrison Pont fired over from another Ajala free kick as the Brickies got on top in the opening stages before, in one of their first attacks, Faversham missed a golden opportunity to level the scores. Emmanuel Oluwasemo raced onto a through ball looking possibly offside, but the flag stayed down as the striker collided with keeper Harry Brooks leaving referee Conn – who was to have an interesting night – no choice but to point to the spot.

Harding stepped up and blazed the ball high over the bar and it was last seen heading towards an adjacent field!

As the game became a typical derby with no prisoners being taken in the tackle, clear chances were at a premium at both ends with Rowland’s audacious effort from inside the centre circle one that stands out.

The home side did though double their lead just before half time as another Ajala free kick fell to Caney-Bryan who swivelling brilliantly as he fired beyond Watkins and into the bottom corner before wheeling away with his jubilant team-mates as they knew they now had a significant advantage!

The Brickies had a loud – and clear – shout for a penalty in the early stages of the second half when Matt Bourne appeared to handle Caney-Bryan’s flick but the referee who was well placed said no… 

With the tackles starting to fly on both sides, Ajala’s trickery was causing the visitors problems and he was on more than one occasion unceremoniously dumped to the ground. Yet ironically it was from a free kick conceded by the Brickies midfielder that Faversham almost found a way back into the game as from the free kick, Brooks came for a punch, didn’t make it but was relieved to see Pont behind him to clear the danger.

The game then took a controversial turn as Rowland and defender Joe Denny challenged for possession, the defender went down, and referee Conn showed the Brickies skipper a second yellow card which from a distance seemed very harsh.

Whether it was right or not, it meant the home side had to face the last moments with ten men, but the home faithful shouldn’t have worried as Ajala’s moment of brilliance as the clock ticked to 90 minutes – taking advantage of a hurried Watkins clearance to magnificently send the ball over the stranded keeper and into the net – sealed the home win.

Not even six minutes of stoppage time or a last gasp bundled effort from Harding could take any of the gloss off this Sittingbourne triumph after a tough week on the road for Blackburn’s men as the scenes of delight and celebration at the final whistle clearly demonstrated as players and supporters alike enjoyed a fine victory.

SITTINGBOURNE – Brooks, Nza, Fisher, Monger, Rogers, Pont, Taylor, Ajala, Rowland, Abdulla (Bancroft) (Crimmen), Caney-Bryan (Loynes).

Subs not used: James Witt, James Hawkins.

FAVERSHAM TOWN – Watkins, Jones, Lyoubi, Chambers, Bourne, Denny, Bewick (Spencer), Harding, Campbell, Oluwasemo (Woodcock), Dos Santos (Dorling).

Subs not used: Spiers, Jarvis.

REFEREE – Mr Conn

Pictures supplied by Ken Medwyn.