Punjab Utd 0 Sittingbourne 1 (Smith-pen)
Isthmian League South East Division
Saturday 12th September 2026
Report by: Mike Green
Harvey Smith’s sixth minute penalty was enough to end Sittingbourne’s wretched start to September as the Brickies eased past newly promoted Punjab United in a close tense encounter.
Despite their Cup form, the Brickies went into the game third in the table after three wins and a draw from their four League games thus far, and thanks to Smith’s early spot kick – given after Darren Foxley had been pole-axed – things looked good for the visitors, but United dug in and had their chances too but when they did get past the impressive Dexter Peter and Reiss Greenidge at the heart of Sittingbourne’s back line, found keeper Jamie Grossart back to his best.
The only goal of the early kick off was netted before many team sheets had been exchanged in other games when Foxley danced into the box only to be brought down, and Smith hammered the ball past Jacob Russell to give Sittingbourne the lead
Smith went close again with a low drive that Russell just watched fly past the right post. Whilst kicking up the slope, Punjab slowly got into the game and Grossart had to be at his very best to tip over a viscous teasing cross from the right.
Harry Ottaway was lively throughout for the home side and from one of his runs down the left his cross was met by Jack Hopkins who was brilliantly denied by Grossart to keep the Brickies in front at the break.
Early in the second period, Bagasan Graham went close with a header that was cleared off the Punjab line at one end, whilst from their own corner the ball was allowed to bounce through the Sittingbourne box only to land at the feet of Ottaway but his ball back into the box didn’t find a red shirt.
Sub Joe Boachie was denied by Russell’s legs after D’Sean Theobalds had done well whilst Ottaway crashed a free kick over the bar. Luke Woodward had the game’s final chance but was again denied by Russell and as the ball ran loose, Boachie crashed the ball over the bar.
More of that needed for the Brickies to recapture the League form whilst Punjab now head to Faversham on Tuesday still looking to break their Isthmian League duck.
PUNJAB UNITED – Jacob Russell, Christopher Edwards, Kyden Lewin-Thomas, Wayne Bushell, Stephen Ratcliff (Jordan Campbell), Jack Hopkins, Ayman El-Mogharbel (Hudson Scudder), Zak Bryon, Roman Campbell, Harry Ottaway, Emmanuel Oluwodemo (Jordan Campbell).
Subs not used – Toch Singh, Elliott Carey.
SITTINGBOURNE – Jamie Grossart, Gavin Hoyte, Bagasan Graham, Luke Woodward, Dexter Peter, Reiss Greenidge, Darren Foxley (Joe Boachie), D’sean Theobalds, Jordan Greenidge, Harvey Smith (Kieron Agbebi), Jordy Mongoy (Kharvan Williams).
Subs not used – Skye Salmon, Samson Uwandu.
REFEREE – Joshua Williams
Att – 203
Match Programme –