Sittingbourne welcome the only unbeaten team in the Isthmian South East division to the Staxson Stadium, Woodstock this weekend and to add to the spice of the day, its a derby day too as Tommy Warrilow’s Faversham Town are visitors. 

“Woodstock on “Derby Day” – is there anywhere better?” Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell asked us when we spoke to him ahead of the weekend.

“It’s a huge game and I think it’s an absolute cracker in store. We are against a team who are doing well as they obviously did last season and have carried that into the start of this.”

“We have played them already in the FA Trophy which was a close encounter, and we were victorious on the day. So, we will have a good idea of what we will be facing again this weekend.” 

“Whereas they have a similar side now, we are a lot changed since that day, but I still feel that Saturday will be similar in a lot of ways to that Trophy game in early September.”

“It’s undoubtedly a great game for everyone concerned, and I am hoping for a packed Woodstock as I am sure that Faversham will bring a number of fans with them making for a great atmosphere and it will be a great derby, I’m sure.” 

In the last week, Maxwell has seen his side beat Broadbridge and Hastings although the Hastings win came at a cost with keeper Joe Osaghae injuring his left hand late in the first half.

Reflecting, Maxwell told us, “We have had two very different games and two very different, very good wins. Last Saturday, against a team that are very talented and went and scored five on Tuesday, I thought we managed to limit them – we won 3-1 but easily could have had a couple more, so there were loads of positives to take from the Broadbridge game.” 

“Tuesday was an away midweek fixture that is always tough especially when it’s a long, long way to go. It was a huge pitch at Hastings, and we had to navigate that, making a couple of changes, through the game as well, and it was a controlled, professional performance as a result – three points and a clean sheet!”

“It was a fantastic win especially after Joe picked up an injury in the first half, and with not having a sub keeper on the bench, there was a long way to go when he got injured and he really had to grit his teeth in showing tip-top desire to not just play on, as anyone can play on in those circumstances, but to play in the way that he did was so admirable – he was still on the front foot throughout, not taking a backward step and still did what he had to do and that mentality was so impressive because it really could have been a risky or dodgy scenario with the goalkeeper injured.”

“I had faith in him and am delighted that we didn’t do anything drastic as he was absolutely outstanding and showed real guts on Tuesday and so much credit must go to Joseph!” 

“We had options, but I trusted Joseph – I looked in the whites of his eyes and could see the competitor there and he was outstanding and full credit goes to the young man!” 

Picture supplied by Ian Scammell.