Sittingbourne may be favourites to win the league - but Ryan Maxwell makes them underdogs in the FA Cup this weekend.

The Brickies - 5-0 winners over Broadbridge Heath in their Isthmian South East opener - visit Farnham Town in a preliminary round tie on Saturday (3pm).

Their opponents went unbeaten in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South last season, taking the title with 35 wins and three draws.

And they’ve made a flying start to the new campaign, negotiating an FA Cup extra preliminary round tie and winning 5-1 at Badshot Lea 5-1 in their first Isthmian South Central match.

“They’ve had a fantastic year,” said Brickies boss Maxwell, who was at Crystal Palace with Farnham assistant boss Jimmy Hibburt.

“To go unbeaten at any level is a fantastic achievement.

“It only takes one off-day so fair play to them.

“They’ve kept that side together and added some good players - it’s no secret they’re well-financed.

“They’ve won their first match in the FA Cup already and we’re away, so they’re definitely favourites.

“But we’re off the back of a 5-0 win, we’re confident, we’re in good shape, the boys are fit and we should have a full squad available.

“We’re looking forward to it but we know it’s a tough game.

“I think the pressure is on them because they should be favourites. We’ll go and enjoy it and play our stuff.”

Sittingbourne made a dream start to the league season with their destruction of Broadbridge Heath.

Mitchell May gave them an early lead followed by goals for new signings Joe Boachie (2), Liam Smith and Troy Howard.

Maxwell wasn’t allowed to watch the game live after being hit with an FA misconduct charge relating to Sittingbourne’s 1-1 draw at Ramsgate last season.

Instead, he took himself off to the Woodstock gym before catching up on action the following day.

“I was allowed to be there and pick the team and everything but I couldn’t be in the vicinity of the game,” said Maxwell.

“I watched the game back on Sunday morning and I was delighted with what I saw.

“It was a very good performance. I was pleased with the new boys but I was pleased with everybody.

“The whole team had a good day at the office.

“We’d had a decent pre-season but we all know that can be misleading and give you a false sense of security where a lot of people like pre-season because there’s not as much pressure.”

Maxwell was surprised to learn Sittingbourne had been installed as favourites for the title.

He knew his players would be aware and addressed the issue when he got to the ground.

“I woke up on Saturday and got a message saying do you know you’re favourites for the title?” said Maxwell.

“I said no and nor do I care but I thought no doubt the boys have seen that.

“It doesn’t mean anything but it’s something people look at so I knew there’d be a little added pressure on the day.

“We discussed that and dealt with that and the boys were absolutely fantastic in their approach.

“The boys knew. Once I brought it up they were all nodding.

“It’s better to approach these things head-on. I’d rather do that than shy away from it. I won’t shy away from anything.”

“I said I don’t know how we are favourites because we’re not spending the most money, we don’t have a 3G pitch, we don’t have the biggest support.

“It doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

“I said to the players there’s no pressure on you, it’s all on me because you boys don’t get sacked, I do, and the kind of deflated it if I’m honest.”

Sittingbourne took advantage of new league rules allowing them to make five substitutions.

Maxwell, however, is not a fan of the changes.

He said: “I’ll be completely honest, no, I’m not in favour.

“I think it’s fantastic for the players that they’re potentially going to come on.

“But I believe there’s a lot lost in terms of how the game might transpire because effectively there could be 10 subs.

“If you add in two water breaks, like we had at the weekend, that’s 12 breaks in a 90-minute game.

“If you’re trying to gain momentum and control a game, those things can really stop that, so I think although it looks good on paper, I’m wary there could be lots of breaks.

“It can break the game up and it’s definitely an advantage, I think, for the lesser team.

“People might argue you have five very good subs.

“Yes, but you’ve picked an XI to win the game and the five subs coming on will come on to win the game whereas the opposition could bring theirs on to stop you winning the game.

“There’s a lot more thought process going on for the lesser team and I think it gives them an upper hand.

“It won’t be everyone’s opinion but it’s certainly mine.”