Sittingbourne’s FA Trophy match-winner is closing in on a meeting with his big brother.

Sam Flisher headed home Kane Rowland’s 73rd-minute cross as the Brickies beat in-form East Grinstead 1-0 at Woodstock on Saturday.

It was a first goal in Brickies colours for the right-back, a summer signing from Bearsted, and set up a third qualifying round tie at Barking on October 31.

Brickies have Isthmian South East matches to think about before that, starting with a home game against Whyteleafe this Saturday.

Next Tuesday it’s a Kent derby at Hythe where Flisher’s brother, ex-Maidstone star Alex, now plays.

With Sam being a right-back they could even be in direct competition should Alex be deployed on the left of Hythe’s attack.

“They’re both decent lads and it’ll be interesting next Tuesday,” said Brickies boss Darren Blackburn.

“Alex helped us out for a few games at Hollands & Blair when he was younger and you could tell he was going to play a lot higher.

"He was too good for us and I’m not surprised to see what he’s achieved in the game.

“Depending on what position Alex plays, Sam could be up against him.

“When we played Hythe last season I remember him playing on the left of a three and he gave Chris Webber a torrid time aerially.

“I’ve told Sam it’s time to step out of his brother’s shadow and put him in his pocket! Let’s see which one gets the bragging rights.

“I was pleased for him to get the goal on Saturday. He’s been out with a groin strain and it was good to have him back. I don’t think anyone can question how well he’s done.”

Blackburn said Sittingbourne rode their luck against a Wasps side who’d scored 11 goals in three straight league wins.

A combination of goalkeeper Jordan Perrin, the woodwork and poor finishing denied the visitors as the Brickies advanced.

They earned their good fortune, though, after a battling display, building on their 2-2 draw against Ashford with 10 men.

Blackburn said: “The first four or five games it was bad performance, good performance, and the results went with the performance.

“Then, against Ashford, we had Salvyn Kisitu sent off after 10 minutes and in that position it would be easy to shrivel up and say the world’s against us.

“But I made it clear in the dressing room that wasn’t going to happen, we have to ride the bad times and the good ones will come.

“The lads went out there and put in a backs-to-the-wall job and we might even have won that game.

“The whole team were brilliant and they’ve taken that togetherness into the East Grinstead game.”

Winger Ryan Palmer - Sittingbourne’s first summer signing - left last week following a friendly against Dartford.

He’s joined Welling Town in Southern Counties East.

Blackburn said: “We spoke for two hours after the game. Neither of us left the ground before midnight.

“We had a good, honest chat about his chances in the squad and we came to a mutual decision.

“He’s a brilliant person who worked his socks off.

“You couldn’t fault him in the dressing room, he had a good attitude and was always respectful towards me.

“We’ve started playing a way that, long-term, I don’t think suits his game or will get the best out of him.

“He felt perhaps the trust wasn’t there in his ability or what he could do, and I respect that.

“He hasn’t done anything wrong and we parted on good terms.”

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