Sittingbourne boss Ryan Maxwell has praised teenage defender Joe Tyrie’s balancing act between two clubs.

Tyrie is on loan with the Brickies but has twice been recalled by parent club Tonbridge in recent weeks.

The 19-year-old helped Angels to National League South victories at Truro and Eastbourne after boss Jay Saunders found himself short of centre-halves.

But he’s continued to impress for the Brickies in Isthmian South East, opening the scoring in Saturday’s sparkling 4-1 home win over second-placed Three Bridges.

He played again last night in a 2-0 success at Chichester – another big result against one of the best sides in the division.

“I’ve got to praise Joe on his mentality because he’s in both camps mentally at times and that’s no one’s fault,” said Maxwell, whose side are up to third.

“The plan is he stays here all season - that’s what Jay and I came up with up for him and that’s what we’re sticking to.

“Jay was short at the back and Joe was happy to go and help out.

“He did well and he’s brought that confidence back with him and he was outstanding again on Saturday.

“A lot of credit has to go to him for handling it mentally.

“He hasn’t come back with any disappointment or confusion.

“He’s clearly had it drilled into him that this is where he’s going to be playing his football this season, for the reasons Jay and I agreed, and he’s come back full of focus.”

There are major differences between National South and Isthmian South East but Tyrie has adapted well.

“The higher you go, the better everything is,” said Maxwell.

“That’s no disrespect to anybody at this level, that’s just a fact of life.

“You get better quality players, pitches, officiating - everything.

“He has to have a little mental shift when he’s back with us and be aware a free-kick in National South for example might not be a free-kick at this level, or the referee might get it wrong.

“He knows he has to roll his sleeves up a little bit more and he’s been brilliant.

“He came up against a good player in Noel Leighton on Saturday and dominated him in every way.

“For a young man, about to turn 20, he’s shown a real maturity.

“That’s something not all youngsters have these days but he certainly does and that’s why I think he’s got a good future in the game.”

Sittingbourne got the result their performance deserved against Three Bridges.

Jean-Baptiste Fischer’s second-half double added to Tyrie’s opener before substitute Chris Harris clinched victory with a 40-yard wonder goal.

“Sometimes you don’t get the credit or the goals for your control but we were good value for at least four on Saturday and I’m glad we got the four,” said Maxwell.

“It was a really good team performance which is pleasing for me because everyone was at it, not just one or two.

“Some teams are more reliant on one or two, or their whole play is geared around certain individuals getting chances, but that’s not us.

“We’re a collective and that gives me a good headache when everyone’s playing well but also confidence when I know it could be anybody who makes a difference.

“A good example of that on Saturday was JB (Fischer).

“I gave him a defensive role and we talked about sacrificing his ability to stop one of their key players.

“Not only did he do that, he also popped up with two goals, which certainly wasn’t in the team-talk.”

Fischer scored again at Chichester, with Donvieve Jones adding a late second.

Meanwhile, striker Javaun Splatt has joined Swale rivals Sheppey following his release by Sittingbourne.

A high-profile summer signing, the former Whitehawk man has left in search of regular football.

“We wish him well,” said Maxwell. “He’s one of the most talented boys I’ve managed but there’s things this team needs and at the minute it’s hard to dislodge anybody.

“We understand he wants to play but with the depth we’ve got in our squad, we couldn’t guarantee him game time.”

Sittingbourne visit Lancing on Saturday (3pm) and host Hythe on Tuesday (7.45pm).