Herne Bay 3 (Ajayi-2, Azeez) Sittingbourne 3 (Beckford, Graham, Peter)
Isthmian League South East Division
Tuesday 27th October 2026
Report by: John Pitts
Sittingbourne played Herne Bay on Tuesday, a team that had seven ex Sittingbourne players in their named squad. No place though for star striker, Joe Taylor. Sittingbourne fielded two of their new signings in Jay Beckford and Edgar Veasquez Velasquez. Beckford looked lively on the right-hand side and capped an excellent first half performance with an equalising goal after 36 minutes. This was after Herne Bay had taken the lead only four minutes earlier.
The first half saw few chances from either side. Sittingbourne nearly took the lead when Bagasan Graham hit the bar with a tremendous shot that easily beat Tom Raye in the Herne Bay goal.
Only two minutes after the Sittingbourne equalising goal they went 2-1 up when Bagasan Graham ran down the left wing and sent in a shot that evaded the Herne Bay keeper and nestled nicely in the corner of the net.
2-1, then, to The Brickies at half time in a half which was fairly even.
Sittingbourne nearly increased their lead straight after half time when a free kick taken by Grham bought a good save from Raye. However, it was Herne Bay that struck again when Ajayi got his second when he found himself unmarked in the Brickies penalty area and beat Sullivan to get the equaliser for Herne Bay.
Sittingbourne had a let off when some good play between the Herne Bay forwards resulted in the ball going in The Brickies net but luckily for them a player was offside.
At this stage Herne Bay was having the better of the play. A free kick was given to the home team just outside the 8-yard area. The resulting shot was parried away for a corner by Sullivan.
Herne Bay took the lead after 67 minutes. Ade Azeez held of the Brickies defenders and slotted the ball past Sullivan.
Sittingbourne battled away but the closest they got was a shot that hit the side netting. The never say die attitude though paid off as in the 94th minute Dexter Peter abandoned his defensive duties and headed an equaliser.
A good result in the end for Sittingbourne. There are signs that some of their injury woes are behind them. Despite them conceding three goals they didn’t look too bad defensively. One concern is that our best player recently, in my view, Joe Boachie is carrying an injury and played no part in this game. Luke Woodward is certainly missed in midfield but hopefully he will be fit for Saturday’s game.
Herne Bay: Tom Wray, Joe Denny, Ben Gorham. Antonio Morgan, Codey Cosgrave (Rodney Eruotor), Ryan Kingsford, Emmanuel Robe (Harrison Hatfull), Tarique Ossai, Josh Ajayi (Alexander Kokoshi), Scott Heard, Ade Azeez.
subs not used: Tom Benham, Jamie Lartice.
Sittingbourne: Carter Sullivan, Gavin Hoyte, Bagasan Graham, Germaine Dua, Dexter Peter, Edgar Valesquez Valesquez, Jay Beckford, D’sean Theobalds (Kieron Agbebi), Mitchell May, Harvey Smith, Khavarn Williams.
subs not used: Joe Anderson, Luke Woodward, Joe Boachie, Farrell Nwosu.
Referee: Simon Cutler
Att: 729