After more stunning exploits in the FA Trophy last weekend in their six-one win at Crowborough, Sittingbourne return to league action this weekend when they entertain Erith Town at the Staxson Stadium. 

“Back home for another tough League encounter,” boss Ryan Maxwell told KSN when we caught up with him this week.  

“Erith, who we know, are a good side as we found out at their place last season. We will certainly be reminding the players of that game and the difficulties that they threw upon us. Ultimately it was a game that I remember well because not only did we draw the game very late on, but we also lost a very key member of the squad in Stevo (Jack Steventon) as well. Erith always provide a tough fixture, and I am looking forward to it and its certainly one that we have to be prepared for. 

The Brickies go into the weekend after that stunning win on the road in the Trophy last Saturday, and Maxwell reflected, “If the previous Tuesday was a frustrating night (Sittingbourne got a point against Hastings with a stoppage time goal from Richie Hamill), I have been saying for a while now that this team is going to score a good number of goals in a game and it happened last Saturday at Crowborough!  

“We scored reasonably early; obviously were three nil up at the break and that was having missed two good chances and a one-on-one – it was a dominating half, and I would say it was one of the dominating halves since I have been at the Football Club!  

“What was great was that the players chosen in Sussex last week, all performed well. Everyone was on it in terms of touch and technique, and it all clicked! We have trained like that for several weeks albeit without JB (Jean-Baptiste Fischer) – we have been putting in quality and passages of play like that in games; it has been coming!” 

“It’s obvious not having JB in what we lost in the flair sense of things and that was evident on Saturday – he was outstanding! But he wasn’t the only one, Derek Asamoah was on his debut too. He shouldn’t need much introduction to you – he’s been a pro for a long time; played in maybe five different countries. He is a striker who is as fit as a butcher’s dog – do not let his age of 44 fool you, he is as sharp as a razor and very, very, very full of enthusiasm.” 

Maxwell went on, “He’s older than me by a few years and he had me question if I am as fit as I thought I was with training every day! But compared to Derek, he is a top, top player and was class on Saturday in fact; not many can say that they have scored at Anfield, Derek has; he’s renowned as a fast devasting finisher who I tried to get in earlier in the season – but he’s here now after he dropped me a message last week!  

“And with the injury to Harvey (Smith – the forward dislocated his shoulder in the Hastings draw) – who is progressing well – it was an absolute no-brainer!” 

“Everybody seemed to be on the same page last week – (Darren) Foxley, Dsean (Theobalds) and Hamill in midfield were superb. Some of the football they played, you would have paid good money to watch – it was an absolute joy! Their goal was a terrific goal out of nothing, but we then regained control and went on to score three more! Ultimately the quality of football was fantastic and long may that continue!”