Sittingbourne boss Ryan Maxwell is refusing to get carried away by his side’s success in the Isuzu FA Trophy and remains fully focused on the number one goal of promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division. 

Speaking to KSN this week, the Irishman confessed, “Yes, it was a fantastic day out at Winchester for both player and fan alike of Sittingbourne Football Club. A really historical Saturday afternoon and one that I will not be forgetting for a very long time!” 

The Brickies have been drawn to face National League South side Enfield in Round Three in three weeks’ time, but Maxwell is fully focused on what lies ahead for his promotion chasers. “We have three very important League games before we can think about Enfield and that starts Saturday against Sevenoaks!” 

“The Cup and trophy runs have been nice but the most important thing for us this season is the League. They lost narrowly to Ramsgate last weekend which says it all and we really had to prepare correctly this week because they are a good side – we drew at their place just a few weeks ago, and after last week they are clearly a good side which needs to be respected and prepared for, as well as our games at Littlehampton on Tuesday and Croydon at home next Saturday.” 

“Make no mistake, this is a key time for us, and it’s important to stay focused on each game and a cliche as it is, we must stay focused on one game at a time and the most important game is the next one and that is Sevenoaks on Saturday!” 

The Brickies boss did allow himself some time to reflect on his side’s performance in Hampshire and told us, “As a neutral, there is no way that anyone would have known that Sittingbourne played at a League below our hosts or away from home for that matter.”

“We were every bit as good as them in the first half and they scored a fortuitous goal just before half-time, but we had got in behind them on numerous occasions and I knew that we would get better in the second half and get better we did!”

“Despite the sendings off, I think we were by far the better side in the second half and on the day the better side won!” 

“I felt that our second half performance was fantastic. Yes we had to chase the game, but we didn’t play like we were under pressure and I’ve used the word a few times describing our performance, we played with composure and made good choices – we hit the post twice, hit the bar, and the keeper has made a string of good saves and if you make that many chances, you deserve to score and although it was a penalty it came from the pressure that we put them under.”

“We then had to win it through penalties, and we had to show real mental strength and quality. I thought the quality of our penalties were brilliant and that came from keeping a good cool head and maybe practicing them on the Thursday held us in good stead!” 

“I seriously would have played anyone, anywhere, but from the Club’s point of view I understand how they would have liked a nice away tie against a side like Southend.”

“But in terms of the actual tie itself, I’m not too displeased to have a home-tie as that for me as a manager would have been the number one thing on my list and yes, it’s against a team from two Leagues above, but we certainly won’t be in fear of them or wouldn’t be in fear of anyone at home and it will be a great test for us – a great test for the lads and I know that I have players in my dressing room who will play at that level.”

“It is a good test for us as a team to go up against a team that are already there. It’s going to be a big game and we will have to play at our very best, but I have belief in this team.”