Sittingbourne defender Lex Allen has made a big impression on manager Nick Davis.

The 18-year-old, who is 6ft 7in tall, was playing local league football before joining Bourne in the close season.

He’s proved quite a find, helping his new club stay unbeaten with his performances against Lewes and Ashford over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Davis said: "Lex is playing well above his years. Laurence Ball came off at Lewes after 20 minutes with a rib injury so we put Lex on and he was outstanding.

"He started against Ashford on Monday, kept a clean sheet and was probably the pick of the players.

"He’s one of those who’s good on the ball for such a tall man and he’s such a presence in that back four.

"He’s got a good future. He’s a Sheppey lad who’d been playing Sunday football.

"He had ambition to play higher and wanted to try his luck, so we put him in an in-house match in pre-season and he looked good.

"I thought he’d be a fantastic player to have around to make the squad up and he’s doing well."

Allen is in Davis’ thoughts for the home game against fellow unbeaten side Whyteleafe on Saturday, while keeper Daren Hawkes should be fit after a back injury.

Leafe are second in the early Bostik South standings with 10 points from four games. They’re two points better off than Bourne, who sit seventh.

Davis, who is set to sign a new left-back this week, said: "Whyteleafe are one of the favoured sides and they’re one of the ones I tipped to be top six, top seven.

"We answered a few questions with our performance at Lewes and we’ll have to do the same again, only this time we’re under more pressure because we’re at home.

"We’re doing magnificently for a side who’ve only played six or seven games together but we’re definitely underdogs for this game. Hopefully, we’ll put on a performance and get a decent result."

Sittingbourne go to Faversham in the Kent Senior Cup first round on Tuesday (7.45pm).