Sittingbourne boss Ryan Maxwell is excited about the potential of new recruit Mitchell May - watching the forward score a stunner on his debut in Saturday’s 5-0 win.

May considered quitting the game after starting pre-season with step seven side Dunmow Town in the Essex & Suffolk Border League but Maxwell had already spotted the potential, taking him under his wing at Southern League FC Romania where 13 goals there led to a couple of games at Isthmian North Coggeshall Town.

May is now hoping to flourish with the Brickies after being reunited with Maxwell at Isthmian South East Sittingbourne.

“I have to say his goal was nothing short of sublime,” said Brickies boss Maxwell. “It was a tremendous finish and I am delighted for him.

“He is a goal threat, he has a bit of everything. He nearly gave up football and I talked him out of it. He has the tools. He can link, he can run, he can head, he has just turned 20 and the best is certainly yet to come, I am really excited about having him.

“He is a good player with potential and the big thing is he has got to realise it.”

May said: "I was hating football and was thinking about quitting but Ryan took me under his wing and to FC Romania. I fell in love with football again."

That weekend win over Haywards Heath was Sittingbourne's first at home since August.

May’s opener just before the break set them on their way. Chaynie Burgin double the lead in the second half before a Donvieve Jones brace took the score to 4-0 and Vincent Follea made it five.

“It has been coming!” said the Brickies boss. “We were horrendously treated last Tuesday by the officials (at Hythe in a 1-0 defeat). It was one of the worst I have ever encountered.

“We have shown glimpses of being able to do that to other teams, we just haven’t shown the cutting edge. On Saturday, before we scored, we should have been one or two up anyway. I told the boys goals were there for them if they believed in themselves and made sure they protected that clean sheet first of all, luckily it transpired and everyone has taken a great deal of confidence from it.”

The Brickies - third from bottom in the table - are due back in action tonight at home to East Grinstead Town (7.45pm).

Maxwell said: “They are a form team and it will be a different game from what Saturday was in terms of style. I know it will be a different test, one we will be ready for but one that will not be easy."