Sittingbourne take a well-earned breather this Saturday after a patched-up side completed a Swale derby-winning double over the weekend.

Manager Nick Davis is disappointed not to have an FA Cup game coming up - having gone out to lower-league Fisher last week - but with five key men missing on Monday for their match at Sheppey United, it will be a much-needed chance for the squad to recover.

Davis’ men emerged from the holiday weekend as ‘Kings of Swale’ after picking up six points from their two Isthmian South East matches, with a 2-1 win over Faversham Town on Saturday followed up by a narrow 1-0 victory at Sheppey, in a first competitive meeting between the neighbours for several decades.

Davis said: “We had a bad result against Fisher but we have had two derbies on the bounce and taken six points, so we are delighted.

“The best thing about Monday was that we had five players missing, contracted players who we have pinned a lot of hope on. I was ringing around to get people on our bench, we had more people in tracksuits than we had playing!

“We need a break, although I would rather be in the FA Cup. Fisher got a scruffy goal. They sat back, we must have had 30 crosses in the box, we just couldn’t finish and that happens. It’s disappointing because we had a great opportunity but that is history now.”

Sittingbourne certainly responded in the right way.

They beat Faversham at home as goals from Henry Dasofunjo and Harry Harding cancelled out the early opener from the visitors.

Donvieve Jones had a goal ruled out that day - despite replays showing his effort was onside - but the wideman popped up with the winner at Sheppey, stealing in to pounce on AJ Dythe’s cross.

It was an all-ticket match in front of 1,004 spectators at Sheppey’s Holm Park and despite some late pressure from the hosts, the Brickies held on.

Davis said: “Sometimes you have to dig in, there wasn’t loads of quality in the game, not many chances for both sides, but that is what derbies sometimes bring.

“I would have taken four points from the two games but I am delighted with six.

“It was for the supporters that one really, we must have had a couple of hundred behind the goal, they were brilliant, that was for them.”

Davis had to turn to some youngsters to fill the bench while Theo McKenzie has also joined having played for Davis previously at VCD.

“He is going to be involved in our squad, he can play left and right-back, he has got electric pace, he is a great addition,” added Davis.

Prior to the weekend experienced campaigner Kane Rowland left the club.

Davis explained: “His circumstances changed outside of football, he has a baby, he travels from Ramsgate, you weigh things up, don’t you?

"I have had Kane twice, I have had him at Sittingbourne before, he is a great guy, it is a shame, but that is football.”

Sittingbourne return to action on Sunday, September 11, in an FA Trophy first qualifying round tie at South Park.

Bagasan Graham will be back from a three-game suspension, Jason Banton is close to returning from injury, while Alex Addai, Jimmy Witt and Abdul Osman could all return from knocks, along with Dythe who limped off on Monday.

Davis said: “We can now regroup, get on the training pitch and get some of these injured lads back and then I will have a headache.”