This weekend FA Trophy Quarter Final action returns to the county as Ryan Maxwell’s Sittingbourne host National League Aldershot Town for a place in the last four. 

It will be the Brickies nineth tie of the campaign and a run that started with a 2-1 win over Sutton Common Rovers back in the First Qualifying Round in September shows no sign or coming to an end! 

“We’re all full of excitement, enthusiasm, and we are all looking forward to it knowing that it is going to a fantastic day!” Maxwell told KSN looking ahead to the Clubs biggest fixture in its 140-year histor.

To put that in context, to reach the last eight, the Brickies have won eight ties to date. Previously it had taken Sittingbourne THIRTEEN seasons competing in the FA Cup for Non-League sides to win the same number of ties! 

Maxwell went on, “We’re going to have packed house at Woodstock which is great for the club, and I am really, really looking forward to it and looking forward to seeing red and black all-round the ground!

“No one will ever have seen this many people as it will be on Saturday with a record attendance, and we’re proud of that and delighted for the boys, and delighted for everyone associated with the club that we are hosting an FA Trophy Quarter Final.” 

“Facing Aldershot at the weekend is like facing Southend in the last round. We have had that experience away from home so I am hoping the boys have processed that and hopefully it will put them in good stead.

“Of course, Aldershot are a big club, another ex-league club and are a notoriously big non-league club. Yes, they are three levels above and full-time professionals, but as I have said before, its nothing that we haven’t already faced on this run before; yes, there’s a gulf; yes, there is a gap; but we have overcome them before. They are there to be respected, certainly, but they will not be feared!” 

“We know all of their stats and numbers, I have the knowledge of that though not what I have focused on, and yes I know every one of their stats for this season, but the only thing that will matter come the end of the game on Saturday, is the scoreline!” 

“We haven’t played for ten days, and are now fully fit! We wouldn’t have been if we had played at Hythe last week, we have trained hard with another session to come before the weekend.

“Everyone is raring to go, we had a very competitive training session on Tuesday; everyone was sharp and looking hungry and raring for a game. At the minute I am certainly pleased where we are at physically and I am sure that we will be ready!” 

“Hand on my heart, I still don’t know what my starting eleven will be come Saturday lunchtime. That’s purely because I have such a very good squad and everyone if fighting fit and no-one is carrying a knock. With everyone being fit, I certainly haven’t picked my starting eleven yet!” 

A reminder that the Brickies Quarter-Final at Woodstock kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday and is an all-ticket sell-out.