The Isthmian South East play-offs start this evening and for Sittingbourne the chance to right the disappointment of their exit at the same stage last season with boss Ryan Maxwell keen to succeed.

But Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell knows exactly what his side must do and where despite their magnificent season in knock-out football, their focus must lie this week. 

“Tonight is what we have been pushing for,” the Brickies boss told us after his sides 3-3 draw with Champions Ramsgate.  

“We’ve been fighting for this since before last August. We are back in the play-offs again as we were last year, and whilst we fell short twelve months ago – that night is still heavily wedged in my memory.” 

“Every club sets its stall out at the beginning of the season, every club wants to get into the play-offs, it’s what they all say! I aspired for the top spot this year and we fought all the way – I thought the team could develop and improve and it did, and it has!” 

“We are where we thought we might be, and it’s all hands to the pump now!” 

“It’s all about switching on the mentality and getting the job down starting tonight against Merstham.” 

“Our wonderful adventures in the Cup and Trophy could be argued will help tonight being in that knockout winner-takes-all environment a lot of games this year. We have had a taste and are hopefully well versed in it now, but I think we just need to focus on the job at hand Tuesday and what’s in front of us and coming out the other side victorious!” 

“I was suspended on Saturday so watched the game with Ramsgate in amongst the supporters and enjoyed watching as we roared into a 2-0 lead looking good playing lovely football. But they had already done the job – it was a game that I am sure the neutrals enjoyed, six goals, some good skillful football played on a nice sunny day in front of good crowd who were in a lighthearted mood. Everyone was in good spirits.” 

“That though was Saturday, now for Merstham tonight” 

Maxwell issued a rallying call to the Brickies to help get the team into Friday’s Final against either Ben Greenhalgh’s Margate or Burgess Hill Town. The manager said, “It you can get to Woodstock on Tuesday night then please, please, please do so! If you are a supporter of the club and you live in Sittingbourne, then I would urge you to come to Woodstock and support your local club this Tuesday.” 

“We are two games from promotion and what that would mean to our town is unmeasurable, not just for the exposure that Sittingbourne would get, but also for the income coming into the town every other week. Attendances through our turnstiles will continue to rise but hopefully that would filter into the local area and businesses too.” 

“Our support has been magnificent all season – now we need everybody, and I mean every single football fan in Sittingbourne to help us take that level of support to the next level of the one even above it.” 

Maxwell went on, “If you have only ever been to one game, please make tonight against Merstham your second. Come along get involved support your team jump on board and make yourselves heard.” 

“We’ve had an incredible season, and we are now just two games from topping it all off with promotion!”