Ryan Maxwell takes his Sittingbourne side across the Kings Ferry bridge on Saturday for an Isuzu FA Trophy tie with Sheppey United for one of the ties of the round with so much more than a place in the next round at stake. 

“We all understand that the FA Trophy is THE FA Cup for non-league sides, and we all have our sights on the Final,” Maxwell told us.

“It is a derby, it is a Cup game, and it has got all the added spice to it of two competitive teams from our League and it is going to be a great game and I am sure one that the fans are looking forward to. I know I am, and I know all of our players are too.” 

The two sides have already met in the Isthmian League this season when a stoppage time penalty from Richard Hammill gave Sheppey a 2-2 draw after a brace from Ayman had cancelled out Dan Bradshaw’s opener.

“It was a close game,” the Brickies boss recalled. “I felt that we were on the wrong end of the scoreline as felt that we deserved the three points on the day, but that’s football.”

“It was a good competitive game that both sides tried to win rather than being cautious. We conceded a late penalty and had to share the points.” 

“It was a “dress rehearsal” so to speak for Saturday and I think that both teams will be looking forward to it!” 

“We’ve adjusted a couple of things – we didn’t have Chris Harris available for the game last month and he’s back and that’s been a massive improvement for us to have him to call upon recently, as has shown in our results – he’s a key player – we’re in good form away from home as we haven’t lost yet, but both clubs are in good form going into the weekend and in a good place.”

“And that is why I think this could be a really good game with both teams looking to try and win the game and I think the supporters will be in for a good game.” 

It will be Maxwell’s first time as a manager at Holm Park – “I’ve been to see a game there recently but haven’t taken a team there,” Maxwell told us, “When I watched them, I was quite impressed with the ground.”

“It is a very good 4G surface as well and so we are looking forward to playing on Saturday.”