Sittingbourne boss Ryan Maxwell is dealing with a number of injuries - but won’t panic ahead of their season opener in the FA Cup this Saturday.

Maxwell had a handful of absentees at the weekend and called in a favour from a friend to help bolster his squad for a trip to Bishop’s Stortford, a side two levels above them.

Despite the injuries, Sittingbourne won 5-0 and Maxwell is confident that even a depleted side will be a match for Jersey Bulls in their home FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie.

He said: “We were at a team two levels above us, we were very depleted with five missing. I asked for a favour off a friend who got me a couple of players for the game who I had never met, I managed to get all the substitutes on.

“There were positives. Scorelines can be misleading in pre-season but we were good value for the win, very dominant.

“It was a very, very good performance and I think it was the first time we clicked going forward. Everyone carried out their role very well.

“The boys played some great football, a joy to manage, a joy to watch and it came just at the right time.”

Goals came from Josh Osude (2), Donvieve Jones, Correy Davidson and an own goal.

Maxwell named a mixed team to face a Gillingham XI on Tuesday night.

The likes of Darren Phillips, Toch Singh, Chris Harris and goalkeeper Bobby Mason were missing at the weekend and they picked up another injury on the day.

Mason and Singh were at least involved in the midweek game against the Gills, facing a side made up of B-team players including the likes of striker Joe Gbode, who have Football League experience. The visitors won the game 2-0 infront of a crowd of 224.

Maxwell, speaking before that game, said: “In terms of how many we have got (injured) is a concern. Firstly you question why have we got them? But none of them are muscular, they are twists. We are in very good physical condition.

“On Saturday there was nobody near one of my players and the pitch was immaculate but he still turned his ankle.

“I am a but concerned with how many are injured but we have got a good squad, everyone knows their role. I have been telling them to ensure they know other people’s roles incase they are asked to do certain things.

“We had Tuesday’s match and then Thursday to fine-tune and polish things up and whoever plays we will certainly be more than adequate.

“We have more than enough players at the club currently, one or two have gone out on dual registration, they will be back this weekend which is handy. We will be fine. You want everyone fit, to have that selection headache, but that doesn’t always happen. That’s management.”

Jersey Bulls completed their pre-season with a strong finish themselves, beating Scottish side Stenhousemuir 4-1 at home.

Maxwell said: “I was going to fly there and watch the game until I realised it was on a stream. I watched it keenly and took what I could from it. They are a decent team, no doubt about that.

“They look fit, in good condition, and they haven’t had a break as they have been competing in a cup competition which they won as well, so they are no mugs.

“They will be in good spirits, good form, they are fit, they are together and we will have to be at our best to beat them but we have more than enough tools in our arsenal to cause them problems.”

Sittingbourne’s injury issues mean there’s a chance to keep looking a the trialists that have been involved recently.

“There are a couple that caught my eye,” said the manager.

“One of the reasons one of them hasn’t signed already is purely down to fitness. He will be a known player to many people, he just needs to get his fitness levels up but there is no doubt about the quality.”

Saturday’s game at Woodstock Park is a 2pm kick-off and there’s a handy £1,125 in prize money for the winner, who will go on to play either Knaphill or AFC Varndeanians in the Preliminary Round on August 19. Tickets for the weekend match cost £10 for adults, £6 concessions and £3 for kids.

“We’re ready and when you are ready you want things to start,” said Maxwell, eager to get the season under way.

“We don’t want to come off it, you want the bell to ring, we are ready.”