What was once a potential Isthmian Southeast title decider at the Staxson Stadium, Woodstock on Saturday now sees Sittingbourne hosting champions Ramsgate with Ryan Maxwell’s sides season now continuing into next week’s play-offs. 

Speaking to KSN after Easter draws with Burgess Hill Town and Sheppey United, the Brickies boss told us, “We still have a massive goal for us to achieve with this team, and I cannot and won’t look back on the season until we have – I will only be looking back once we have achieved what I set out to achieve with this team so I have no intention of looking back just yet!” 

“I am very comfortable with our Easter weekend, before the game on Friday with Burgess Hill we were second in the League but not guaranteed – it still wasn’t a crucial fixture. The crucial part for me over both games was to remain unbeaten, rest players, and be in good health in terms of physically and of course give me a headache for this weekend and what is ahead! 

“I just asked the boys that they wouldn’t get sent off or injured and don’t be unavailable for the play-offs and the players have done that. Now I do have that headache going into Saturday and beyond into next week.  

“Ultimately it is all about selection – you want to be fully armed going into the play-offs and every manager will tell you the same. As it stands, we have one more League game to play with no impact on our season – personal pride of course that will take place naturally but ultimately Saturday will not affect our season as we need full focus on Tuesday and our play-off semi-final with Merstham.  

“I will pick a team for Ramsgate with that in mind, I will make substitutions with that in mind, because our ultimate goal is to win on Tuesday and then to progress to Friday’s Final. I understand that Saturday is still a big game for the fans, but surely, I hope that they can all see the bigger picture and understand my team selection. It is great to have the options that we do have and whoever we pick we will still be a competitive team out there.” 

On Monday, in the 0-0 draw with Sheppey, Sittingbourne topped one hundred League points in a season for the first time in thirty-five years! “It was still a historic day for us as we broke the hundred-point barrier for just the second time ever in the club’s history,” Maxwell agreed.  

“It’s always great to be part of another historical stat – its great and does just show our progression! Last year was all about progression this season, and we have done that in terms of points tally.” 

Reflecting on the Brickies fight for the title with Ramsgate, Maxwell said, “You find that you hit a ceiling which is where you are at in terms of competition level if no one is pushing you, you will do enough to win. But Ramsgate and ourselves have pushed each other to both of us topping one hundred points, so I think that says it all.  

“I know Ben (Smith, the Rams boss) mentioned us in his post-match debrief when they won the League at Hythe last week, and I think that it’s pretty obvious that we have pushed each other all the way to be better, to be better and consistent to be excellent across the course of the season.” 

“I think that highlights the quality of our League as well – it’s a great points tally that we have achieved but ultimately it has only been good enough for second place and we do have to congratulate Ramsgate because they have had a phenomenal season – we are still having ours remember having also had an unbelievable journey in the FA Trophy but still the number one goal for us is to be promoted next week alongside Ramsgate! 

The Brickies boss then issued a rallying call for the Sittingbourne fans to get the Brickies over the line and join the Rams in the Isthmian Premier next season. He said, “On Tuesday and hopefully Friday after that, they are the most important part for me; they have showed their influence when this Woodstock has been packed because they are incredibly loud and always great in terms of their support, always singing, always cheering – we need everyone at the games who holds this Club at their hearts, wants their local Club to be successful and be promoted – what better way to show your support and to come and support the boys in person.” 

“We need Brickies to come in numbers next week and get behind OUR town! I am only a temporary custodian albeit that love it, and I want everyone to get behind the town – this is a time for everyone to come out in numbers. They are incredible and I spent the derby on Monday in amongst our fans and it was brilliant – I absolutely loved it, and they gave me a real good view of things as a fan, and we need that same atmosphere created at Woodstock on Saturday and then into next week!”