Sittingbourne continue their pursuit of Isthmian League Southeast leaders Ramsgate with a trip to Sussex to face a Lancing side who are in danger for slipping back into the Sussex League with a whimper and boss Ryan Maxwell is keen to keep pressure on The Rams.

When the two sides met at The Staxson Stadium, Woodstock in mid-January, Ryan Maxwell’s side ran out eight-one winners.

Since then the Sussex side have played eleven and lost eleven scoring just four goals (two of those came in one game) and they have conceded a nine, a six and a five – a total of 45 against as they have dropped to second from bottom with the worst defensive record in the whole of the Isthmian League and ten points from safety with six games left! 

Speaking to KSN ahead of the trip to Sussex, the Brickies boss admitted, “They aren’t having a good time at the moment, but now they are in our way!” 

“We have to give them all the respect in the world – we have to concentrate on us and what we are doing at the moment!”

“They are fighting for their lives, and we must make sure that we go there with the right mindset, our mentality must be spot on to go and get a result as if we take our foot off the gas or are at all distracted, you can get caught!”

“So, there will be none of that from us as we will give them the full respect that they deserve!” 

“Anything can happen in this league as Deal’s excellent win against Merstham in midweek showed. It’s a case of performance, consistency and anything can happen to anybody if they are not fully focused or not prepared and that is why we have to be fully focused and prepared for Lancing on Saturday.”

“Anything can happen elsewhere, and we must make sure that we take care of our own house first and foremost.” 

“We were very good last Saturday against Eastbourne. We “only” won 2-0 but it could have been so many more as we hit the woodwork five times, and the keeper has made a couple of great saves.”

“We missed a couple of chances on top of all that, so we certainly weren’t at our attacking best on Saturday on what was a good day at the office.”

“Was pleased with the performance as it meant that we took six points from the two games in the week and now we head into Saturday with confidence.” 

“We have had a relaxation session on Tuesday and had a bit of fun to break up our week! We have had a long season so far, but I felt that it was important that we change up a little bit and also, we added one to the squad and it was a good way of integrating him into the squad although he will need no introduction to the Brickies fans!” 

The man in question is Lex Allan who rejoins Sittingbourne from Hythe Town after the defender started his career at Woodstock.

“Lex has been at the Club before, lives in the area, has family ties to the Club but I signed him because I think he is an excellent central defender – one who can get better, one who seems to come out of the mold of Jack Steventon.”

“For me the similarities stand out – he was outstanding against us for Hythe last week – I felt as though he kept the score down himself at times! He is a real good character, and I am excited to be working with him as I think there are another couple of gears in him!” 

“I think that’s why he signed for us – he did have other options, and I’m very pleased he chose to come back to Woodstock, and I am looking forward to working with him!” 

Allan will be joined in the Brickies squad at the weekend by full back Henry Lukombo who returns from injury.

“Thats a great positive,” Maxwell said, “He is the quickest defender in this League and has been outstanding for us all season and I’m delighted he’s back in contention.”