The last remaining Kent side left in this season’s Isuzu FA Trophy – Sittingbourne – have learned their fate in the last thirty-two and boss Ryan Maxwell is glad to have a home tie.

Isthmian South East Sittingbourne will welcome either Chesham United or Salisbury City, both of National League South, to the Stason Stadium, Woodstock on Saturday January 4th. 

Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell spoke to KSN moments after the draw and told us, “All I wanted was a home tie and we are luck enough that we got one.”

“Chesham or Salisbury will provide us with a very, very difficult encounter whoever we face, but having faced Enfield who are in the same division on Saturday, we already have some idea of the level and what to expect, so I am reasonably happy and very happy with the home draw. It could have been a lot, lot worse!” 

“It’s a great time for the Club isn’t it? I have had lots of messages and calls today which is great. If I am honest a lot of hard work has gone into it with what we are doing so far, and I would like to think that our hard work is being recognised and good times are upon us, and I hope this is a nice little Christmas gift for all the fans who follow us home and away!” 

Not only are Sittingbourne the last Kent side in this season’s competition, the Brickies are also the last remaining Step Four side countrywide left in the Trophy – a fact that Maxwell acknowledged with grace, and a level of achievement.

“It was actually something that we mentioned in the summer as an aspiration for the coming season – to be the last side at our level left in the Trophy – and you can ask any of the players to confirm that.”

“We wanted an FA Cup run alongside it… we’ve got to that goal, but in terms of if Saturday has sunk in yet, I think that when you are as demanding as I am, I think it’s a case of achieving one thing that we set out to do in August, but I would still like to go further and progress.” 

“We are four games from Wembley and when you say that it is quite exciting, but from our point of view being the last Step Four club, saying that is even more exciting.”

“I want everyone to enjoy it and enjoy the ride as they are “once in a life-time” journeys, and we are lucky enough to be on the ride for the moment!” 

Sittingbourne return to League action on Tuesday with a trip to Herne Bay.

“Tomorrow is our most important game of the season,” the Brickies boss conceded.

“It is the most important thing, and I will make that very clear. The Cups are lovely and a beautiful distraction and lovely extras etc., etc., quite romantic with fairy-tale football and that’s all fantastic of course, but our bread and butter is the League and we are fully focused on tomorrow night game at Herne Bay!” 

Maxwell reports that a full squad will make the short trip down the Thanet Way and hopes that Jay Beckford may be fit enough to included in the squad.