Duane Ofori-Acheampong won’t forget his return to Sittingbourne - after breaking down on his way to the game.

The big striker proved a hit while on loan with the Brickies from National South club Hungerford last season.

He’s back after signing from Isthmian Premier outfit Bowers & Pitsea, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 draw at Chichester on Saturday.

“He made a big impact when he was here last time, didn’t he?” said Brickies boss Nick Davis.

“We didn’t think he’d drop down but we managed to get it over the line and then what happens? His car breaks down.

“We had to send an Uber driver to get him to the ground, which wasn’t ideal, but we got him on in the second half.

“He’s a good signing. He’s 6ft4in, he’s so awkward to play against and he’s played a lot of his football at Step 2.

“At 29, he’s still a good age, so hopefully it works well for both him and us.”

Ofori-Acheampong, whose former clubs include Torquay, Dartford and Dover, is one of two new arrivals.

The other, Correy Davidson, who’s joined from Brentwood, impressed on his debut at Chichester, where Harrison Pont’s 89th-minute goal secured a 1-1 draw.

“It was a really good performance from us and he made a huge difference,” said Davis.

“He’s the link man in the No.10 role that we needed.

“He’s played at a good level - he was with Kidderminster a couple of years ago - and he’s got good energy and he gets about.

“He’s one who’s been on our radar for some time.

“We spoke to him in pre-season but couldn’t get it done.

“It was the first time in a while on Saturday that we’ve had a really good balance to the team.

“With him and Duane coming in, and then Youssef Bamba down one side and Alex Addai down the other, we looked good.

“We might not get it right straight away - Harrison Pont is the only player left from last season, so we’re in a transitional period - but we had a really good balance about us.

“I’m looking forward to the games we’ve got coming up.”

Bamba is another recent signing, making just his second Brickies appearance since reuniting with Davis, his old manager at VCD.

The winger scored 20 goals and provided 15 assists for the Vickers last season.

More of the same would do nicely for Sittingbourne, who host Beckenham in Isthmian South East this Saturday (3pm) and visit Chatham in the Velocity Cup Third Round on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Bamba may frustrate at times but he’s a player who makes things happen.

“I’m quite hot on my stats, I know what he did last season because he was on a goal and assist bonus!” said Davis.

“He’s someone I’ve tracked for a long time, going back to 2015/16 when he was in the same Merstham side as Alex Addai, who went on to play for Cheltenham.

“I thought it would be great to have them back in the same side and it was the first time they’d played together since those days.

“Whether it’s them or Bagasan Graham or Henry Dasofunjo, we’ve got the best wingers in the league in my opinion but they’ve got to produce now.

"I know what Bamba can do because he did it for me last year.

“Like any winger, he frustrates at times because he might not work as hard as someone else, but it’s risk and reward.

“He’s someone who can win a game, off either foot, in a 15-minute spell and those players are hard to come by.

“Flair players don’t meet everyone’s approval but you need matchwinners in your team and his stats don’t lie. He won us more games than not at VCD last year.

“When you score 60 goals and he’s involved in 35, that tells you everything.”

Midfielder and long-throw specialist Lewis Chambers has left Sittingbourne for Erith & Belvedere, while fellow midfielder Kieron McCann’s brief Sittingbourne stay has ended, too. He has signed for rivals Faversham.