Sittingbourne manager Reece Prestedge on facing 102-goal Isthmian South East leaders Three Bridges and a welcome return from injury for key man Joe Boachie

Sittingbourne will need to be back at their best defensively for the visit of prolific Isthmian South East leaders Three Bridges.

The Sussex club’s 5-1 win over Erith Town at the weekend saw them chalk up a century of league goals.

They’ve scored 102 in just 32 games and boast the division’s three leading marksmen in Reece Hallard (26), Noel Leighton (25) and Charlie Bennett (20).

Three Bridges also share the best defensive record, alongside Jersey Bulls, with only 32 goals conceded.

Sittingbourne previously had the league’s tightest defence before 3-3 draws with Faversham and Sevenoaks and a 3-1 defeat at promotion rivals AFC Croydon to end February.

And last night they conceded an 89th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Swale rivals Sheppey.

Brickies boss Reece Prestedge, whose side are fifth, believes Three Bridges are good value for their nine-point lead at the top of the table.

“They’ve got the top three goalscorers in the league,” said Prestedge.

“You’re normally scraping around to get one of them, let alone having all three, so they’re doing alright.

“They’re deservedly top. They’ve scored all those goals and they’ve conceded the least in the league.

“It was us before we had those three games where we’ve let in three goals, but that killed us.”

Joe Boachie, Prestedge’s first signing as boss last November, is on the way back from a knee injury, making the squad as an unused substitute against Sheppey.

The forward is a key man in the Brickies’ promotion hopes, providing goals and creativity.

“That’s a plus to have Boachie back,” said Prestedge.

“You miss not just his quality on the ball, but also his presence.”

Sittingbourne named attacker Nile Nguidjol on the bench at Croydon on Saturday.

He’s been training with