Sittingbourne players have been told to stay calm when they host the club whose manager quit after punching midfielder Luke Girt.

Joint-boss Matt Wyatt admits there’s no love lost between Brickies and Eastbourne Town after Girt was punched by then Town player-boss Tony Reid last month, with Sittingbourne receiving apologies from chairman David Jenkins and secretary Mark Potter.

Reid resigned but the incident remains fresh in people’s minds, prompting Wyatt to call for calm ahead of the return game at Woodstock Park on Saturday.

He said: “There’s no love lost but I hope there won’t be any afters.

“Eastbourne are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league and, with respect, the way to hurt them back is to beat them.

“Let’s make sure we play good football, keep our mouths shut and don’t get involved in anything stupid."

Sittingbourne drew 3-3 with league leaders Peacehaven on Tuesday night.