Sittingbourne’s latest signing scored on his debut at the weekend - aged 44.

Former Football League man Derek Asamoah helped the Brickies to a 6-1 FA Trophy win at Crowborough.

The much-travelled winger/forward made his name at Northampton just past the turn of the millennium, making than 100 appearances between 2001 and 2004.

He’s also played for the likes of Mansfield, Shrewsbury and Carlisle, as well as spells in Bulgaria and South Korea.

Asamoah spent three weeks with Sittingbourne during pre-season but accepted a new deal at Haringey Borough.

But he got back in touch with Brickies manager Ryan Maxwell, who was only too happy to sign him.

“Most 44-year-olds are retired but Derek is far from that,” said Maxwell. “He is absolutely energised.

“I was delighted that he reached out and said he’d like to sign because I know the qualities he has.

“He trained on Thursday and was razor-sharp.

“Mentally, he’s above the level in terms of his reading of the game and his brains and he showed all those qualities on Saturday.

“I think the players grew in confidence because he was playing and the game was made easier because his movement’s class, so you’ve always got the option, and he also retains the ball and doesn’t refuse the right pass.

“His attitude’s incredible and his desire and love for the game nothing but admirable and remarkable.

“He was brilliant in pre-season and he’s picked up where he left off.

“I used him straight through the middle as a striker on his own and you’re thinking is he going to cover the ground?

“Trust me, Derek will cover the ground.

“If anything, you have to rein him in because he’ll chase everything.

“His attitude is just outstanding and he’s a joy to work with.

“He’s a great human being and from what I know of him, he’s an absolute diamond.

“He’s going to make a big impact.”

Asamoah added to Jack Steventon’s opener as Sittingbourne took charge of their Trophy tie at Crowborough.

Jean-Baptiste Fischer, back from injury, scored the third, and there were second-half goals from Richie Hamill, Emmanuel Robe and Ellis Brown.

“The performance was outstanding - some of the football, I’d have paid to watch it,” said Maxwell.

“It was absolutely fantastic and we’ve been threatening to do this for a while.

“I’ve said before we’ll hit someone for six and now we have, so I’m not overly surprised.

“I’m probably more pleased because it was Derek Asamoah’s debut and we had JB back and you see the impact the man has. It’s evident what we’ve lacked without him.

“All the attacking players were excellent and everybody behind them did their job.

“Everything clicked. We changed the shape, we had a look at something else, the pitch was good and we used it.

“You were really treated to a game of football if you were there on Saturday.”

Sittingbourne have drawn Isthmian Premier Hashtag United at home in the third qualifying round on October 4.

The Brickies return to Isthmian South East action at home to Erith Town this Saturday (3pm).

They’re targeting a crowd of 500 at Woodstock.

Striker Chaynie Burgin, who rejoined Sittingbourne over the summer, has been playing for the Dockers.

But Maxwell believes he still has a future with Bourne.

“He was having a good pre-season until he got injured,” said Maxwell.

“He was looking the part. I just wanted him to go and get more 90 minutes under his belt.

“That was the main reason for him going out.

“We’re hoping that’s done the trick and he’ll be back with us fighting for his spot.”

Sittingbourne are on their travels on Tuesday with a flight to the Channel Islands to play Jersey Bulls.

The Brickies have previously made the journey to Guernsey, when they were in Isthmian South East.

“We’re ready for the trip,” said Maxwell.

“It is what it is. Good luck to Jersey.

“They’ve fought hard to be in the English system and they have to pay through the nose to do so.

“It’s not cheap to do what they’re doing, they’ve obviously got the money to do it, they must think it’s worthwhile and you can’t fault the ambition.”

Meanwhile, Billy McMahon has rejoined Sittingbourne as assistant manager.

He fills the gap left by Leo Roget, who found himself increasingly busy working at Southend United during the day, as well as coaching his own clients.

McMahon stepped away over the summer, due to his own work commitments, but has been able to return.

“Leo was brilliant and I’ll certainly work with him again in the future,” said Maxwell. “I enjoyed every minute of it.

“He helped me assemble this team and get us where we are, so he needs to take credit for that.

“I know what I’m getting with Bill, I’ve known him for 30 years, and we obviously worked extremely well together.

“It’s great he can come back and make it work.”

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