Sittingbourne are looking forward to getting back into Isthmian League action this weekend when Kevin Watson brings his Ashford United squad to Swale and Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell can’t wait. 

“Thank goodness” he told us. “It seems that Saturday has been a long time coming – we have been three weeks without a League game and the boys are chomping at the bit and so am I.” 

“I said to the Chairman recently that it has been frustrating because we have had a few changes to the team that started the first game against Cray Valley – something like five or six changes since that game – we have had a settled side for the four or five games before our break and were in reasonably good form.”

“It’s been frustrating but we have had to get our heads down and stay focused, train and train well which I have been pleased with, we did have the friendly with Holmesdale in between so we have done what we can to stay game ready and we’ve trained well this week to make sure that mentally we’re ready for Saturday.” 

Maxwell then paid tribute to his rivals who enjoyed FA Cup success last weekend – “what a fantastic day Cray Valley and Ramsgate had in the FA Cup last weekend” he said.

“Congratulations to both clubs – they are flying the flag for our League – as Sheppey did as well. I watched the Cray game and thought they were very, very good at Charlton, albeit Charlton made the mistake of taking Cray lightly with wholesale changes – I can’t see them doing it in the replay, but all credit has to go to Cray as I thought they were certainly good value, as if a team was going to win the game it would have been Cray if I’m honest.” 

“What it does do is to show how tough our League is. I’ve lots of experience in the North as a player and can tell you all hands down that this is a stronger League absolutely!”

“And I think the FA Cup runs have done nothing but highlight that – it is great for the League and keeps it in the spotlight and shows that there is quality in the League which is great for the players in it too.” 

“We have welcomed Ashford to our place already this season in the Kent Cup. We know that they are a good side – we both have similar records so it will be another tight game.”

“We have had a few changes since their last visit, and they played in the League Cup on Tuesday night, and I have had a report on that game and their League game last weekend.”

“I am certainly expecting a tight game as we are both targeting the holy grail of Play Off spots – I am sure that it is going to be a good encounter for both clubs, another tough match that we must be ready for.”