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Sport

Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell can’t wait for Bank Holiday weekend derbies against Ramsgate and Ashford United

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 21 August 2024

Manager Ryan Maxwell is anticipating a “monstrous” weekend as Sittingbourne bid to continue their flying start to the season.

The Brickies added to their 5-0 win over Broadbridge Heath on the opening day of the Isthmian South East campaign with a sparkling FA Cup performance at the weekend.

Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell. Picture: Ian Scammell

They ended Farnham’s 49-game unbeaten run in all competitions with Mitchell May scoring twice in injury time to complete his hat-trick and earn a 4-2 preliminary round victory.

Their reward is a mouthwatering Kent derby at home to Isthmian Premier Dover on August 31.

Before that, though, the Brickies are looking forward to a pair of big league derbies over the Bank Holiday weekend.

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They visit Ramsgate on Saturday, a side Maxwell still considers title favourites.

That’s followed by a home game against an Ashford team managed by his good pal Danny Kedwell. Both games kick off at 3pm.

“It’s a huge weekend coming up - monstrous,” said Maxwell.

“I’m loving it. I can’t wait. The bigger, the better for me.

“If you’re not looking forward to these games, what are you doing it for? I’d want games like these every week.”

Ramsgate had a challenging pre-season with Ben Smith replaced as manager by Tony Russell, only to return when his successor resigned after 25 days.

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Like Sittingbourne, the Rams have won their first two games and Maxwell believes they’re the team to beat.

He said: “Ramsgate are still the favourites, I don’t care what anyone says.

“They’ve got Joe Taylor up front, a very good budget, a lovely 3G surface and the biggest support, so they’re favourites.

“Ultimately we are a team trying to overhaul them and others.

“We’re looking forward to it.

“We go into it in confident mood, of course, but so will they, they scored five at the weekend, and I’m sure it’ll be a great game.

“I would say they’ve recovered from what happened in pre-season because they’ve signed experience and experienced boys get over things very quickly.

“They’ve got experience in the likes of Roarie Deacon and Jay Leader and I don’t think it’s going to be a case of, ‘Oh, we were a little bit disrupted’. I don’t think so at all.

“I’ve gone into clubs as manager and had to rebuild the team in a week so I don’t think Ben needs that much time.

“I expect a very good side and a very tough game.

“We’re aware of the task but it’s one we’re licking our lips at.”

Maxwell made Sittingbourne underdogs at Farnham in light of their opponents’ long unbeaten record.

Goals from Liam Smith and in-form May were cancelled out before the Brickies striker settled the tie in added time.

“It was a real test in many ways,” said Maxwell. “You can see why they’ve gone 49 games unbeaten.

“They’ve got some very good footballers and they’re a well-drilled side. I was very pleased with how the game transpired and how we played and over the moon to get the win.

“Full credit to Farnham because they’ve obviously been fantastic to go unbeaten for that period of time.

“Forty-nine games is such a big number but I just couldn’t let it get to 50 on my watch.

“Every record has to come to an end and I’m just delighted it’s us who’s ended it.”

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