Ryan Maxwell’s Sittingbourne welcome South East pace setters Three Bridges to Woodstock on Saturday as fourth hosts second in the division’s game of the day! 

The Sussex side were knocked off top spot-on Tuesday as Ramsgate won at Sheppey, a win that took the Rams to the summit, but Maxwell is fully aware of the test facing the Brickies on Saturday as they look to extend their unbeaten League run to nine games. 

“They have had a great start to the season,” the Irishman told us. “We are aware of them in terms of what they do and who they have, their dangers and hopefully their weaknesses.”

“What I do know about Saturday is that the game will not finish nil-nil – it is going to be a great game and one that we fully prepared for.”

“We started in earnest after our Kent Cup game at Hythe was called off on Tuesday and we will have worked on several things at training and will be prepared for Saturday.”

“It is going to be a great test, but this is what we are geared for, it is what it is all about – it excites me; it should excite the players and we cannot wait!” 

Sittingbourne played and won their first League game since mid-October last week when Jardel Adeyinka scored the only goal against Ashford minutes after coming on for his Brickies debut.

“The most important thing about last weekend was that it was a win which was extremely important for several reasons,” Maxwell admitted.

“It was great to get the three points as they were immediately above us in the League meaning that we could affect each other’s League position which I felt was a big mental shift as well.”

“The game itself, I was extremely pleased with the way that we played in every aspect of the game – our passing, our movement, our energy, our competitive edge – and full credit must go to the players because we had three weekends with nothing competitively.”

“I was a little worried that we might not start the game particularly well and be a little slow out of the blocks, but credit to every single one of them, nobody was like that – everyone was totally focused, sharp and did the right things, and I’m really proud of them for that as it takes real mental strength.” 

“I was delighted with the way that we performed, and to keep going the way we did – we had to break them down and be patient. And when the two subs – Javaun and Jardel – came on to make the difference and combine for the goal – there were so many positives!”

“With Alex Bentley coming on to help see it out is another massive positive and all round it was a great day.” 

“We are still right up in the mix despite not playing a League game for a while – we are in a good place despite only still bubbling away and still improving.”

“I think that there’s been a massive change in us as a team and how we play since Chris Arthur has come into the team. It is changed the dynamic which in turn has had a knock-on effect for people’s performances and how we play.” 

“We are getting better, and I am seeing more of what I want, and long may that continue, but it must continue – I am pleased where we are given the circumstances, we are in a good place right now!”