Whitstable Town 1 (Wall) Sittingbourne 2 ( Smith-2)
Isthmian League Division One South
18th August 2026
Report by: Mike Green
For the third League game running, Sittingbourne left it so late to seal a result as a Harvey Smith header ensured a really hard fought 2-1 for the Brickies over newly promoted Whitstable Town at the Belmont.
Last season’s SCEFL Champions, playing their first home League game back at this level, were behind early on when Smith arrowed a drive into the bottom corner after great hold up play from Jordan Greenidge.
But the Oystermen who lost an entire team and manager over the summer, came roaring back with some direct play that the Brickies found tough to deal with and soon Alex Wall had got on the end of one huge clearance to head the home side level.
The home side continued getting some good advantages from playing so directly that the visitors were at times stretched almost to breaking point. But as the second period wore on, this local derby became more of an end-to-end contest which both sides could have won. The fact that the Brickies did was down to a pinpoint corner from Jean-Baptiste Fischer and a thumping header from Smith for his third goal of the season to break Whitstable hearts – and it was a double-edged sword for the young striker as Smith played such a massive part in bringing the FA Vase to the Belmont sixteen months ago!
Indeed, it was Smith who had rifled the Brickies in front after only eight minutes. A lofted ball into the box fell to Jordan Greenidge who’s lay off was almost perfect for Smith to hammer beyond Dan Colmer and into the bottom corner to give Sittingbourne the lead.
The home sides intentions were clear from the off with long booming balls forward which the visitors defence did struggle to come to terms with, and the equaliser was the result. A huge Colmer kick out simply wasn’t dealt with and Hall got between defender and keeper and lifted the ball into the net despite the efforts of Gavin Hoyte to clear off the line.
It gave the home side the impetus as they kicked down the slope – a free kick was fizzed across the Sittingbourne goal; Ryan Bernal then created a golden chance for Perri Iandolo who snatched at the shot and sent the ball sailing over, but just before the break, Jamie Grosshart had to be at his agile best to tip over Harrison Pont’s pile driver.
The second period began as the first with the Brickies now on top – a ball in from Jean-Baptiste Fisher fell to Jordan Greenidge who couldn’t force the ball over the line, before the visitors thought they’d got the lead back as a header from Jordan Greenidge from a corner was touched in at the far post by an offside player.
The game ebbed and flowed, end to end, and only Wall will know how his header missed from Bernal’s cross. Grosshart was forced into action again to block Kenny Aileru’s run and shot.
Jordoy Mongoy was then denied twice in quick succession with excellent blocks by Colmer – the first from the right and the second when the winger reacted quickest to a loose ball.
Grosshart then denied Pont again with another excellent strike before the grandstand finish which saw Smith stooping to powerfully head Fisher’s corner beyond Colmer to spark wild scenes from the large contigent Brickies as Sittingbourne netted their third stoppage time goal already this fledgling season.
WHITSTABLE TOWN – Daniel Colmer, Nathan Green, Corey Panter, Harrison Pont, Alex Wall (Robbie Rees), Kenny Aileru, Charlie Thompson (Jack Nelson), Thomas Hanfrey, Kweku Lucan, Ryan Bernal (Manny Ogunrinde), Perri Iandolo (Henry Young)
Sub (not used) – Liam Boxall
SITTINGBOURNE – Jamie Grosshart, Jean-Baptiste Fisher, Bagasan Graham, Luke Woodward (Jaiden Chang-Brown), Gavin Hoyte, Reiss Greenidge, Darren Foxley (Khavarn Williams), D’Sean Theobalds, Jordan Greenidge (Samson Uwandu), Harvey Smith, Jordy Mongoy
Subs (not used) – Kieron Agbebi, Skye Salmon
REFEREE – Nicholas Bone
Go to our you tube channel for highlights of the match
FIVE THINGS WE LOVED ABOUT OUR MATCH AGAINST WHITSTABLE TOWN
1. A rivalry renewed.
It had been four years since we and the Oystermen had faced off, and you could tell both sets of players and fans alike were excited to have the competitive rivalry back.
2. The travelling Sittingbourne faithful.
Kent derbies tend to bring out big crowds, and that was no exception on Tuesday night. The Sittingbourne faithful travelled in their numbers yet again and were well into their hundreds.
3. Harvey Smith is on fire.
Harvey Smith popped up in injury time for the second consecutive away game to bag himself the match winning goal to ensure the Brickies went home with all three points.
4. Whitstable Town’s ground improvements.
At this level of the game, it is always nice to see clubs improve their grounds, it shows the hard work that everyone on and off the pitch put into the club, and highlights the growing professionalism at this level of the game.
5. Three unbeaten going into the FA Cup game on Saturday.
That is three games unbeaten in the Isthmian League going into our FA Cup Preliminary Round tie against Erith and Belvedere (at Welling United) this Saturday. Whilst no one is getting excited about being top of the League after just three games, it is a healthy position to be in going into our FA Cup tie this weekend.