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Ryan Maxwell is leaving no stone unturned as he bids to lead Sittingbourne to a major FA Trophy upset.
The Brickies visit National League Southend this Saturday (3pm) where they will be backed by about 800 travelling fans.
The fifth-round tie is arguably the biggest match in the club’s history, with a quarter-final place at stake and a trip to Wembley drawing ever-closer for the winners.
Sittingbourne are in tremendous form, 27 games unbeaten in all competitions and with five higher-league scalps under their belt in this season’s Trophy campaign.
Southend, a full-time club playing three divisions higher and with a rich Football League history, are a different challenge altogether.
But boss Maxwell is planning everything in the finest detail to give his side the best chance of pulling off another shock at Roots Hall.
The Shrimpers are 11th in the National League, three points off the play-offs, after beating AFC Fylde 2-0 at home on Tuesday night.
“We’ve got a big week in terms of training and from my own point of view I’ve got to make sure I get the tactics absolutely spot on to have a remote chance in this game,” said Maxwell.
“I’ll pick the team that gives us the best chance.
“Is that team anywhere near picked now? No is the answer.
“I’ve got far too much footage and information to cipher through first before I start envisaging what my team will look like and, of course, I’ll have to come up with a plan.
“I’m looking to see what chinks they might have, what their weaknesses are and how to exploit them the best way we can, while obviously limiting them to as little as possible.
“It’s going to be difficult, there’s three leagues between us, they’re a full-time side, and we’re away from home to top it off.
“So we’re incredible underdogs, no one’s giving us a hope, it seems. I must be the only one.
“I come from a background of every puncher has a chance.
“I’ve been in situations when I’ve been the underdog and come out the winner, so I’m going to run with that, we’re going to run with that.
“We know it’s an uphill task, it’s a challenge but I absolutely love a challenge.
“I’ll be going there ready for the game mentally, we’ll be prepared tactically, the players will be prepared the best they’ve ever been.
“I’ve no doubt in my mind whatsoever that we will give them a good game, and the players believe we can do it.
“At the end of the day, it’s a game of football, 11 v 11.
“Of course, there’s a chance because Southend could make a mistake, couldn’t they? There’s human error all the time.
“That’s the great thing about football. Anyone can beat anyone.
“If Leicester can win the Premier League and Greece can win the Euros, anything can happen.
“We’ll be making sure we remind ourselves of these things and go there fully confident on giving a great account of ourselves.
“I can’t speak for other people but I would think they’re taking us seriously.
“There’s a Wembley final so everyone in the fifth round is taking it seriously.”
Sittingbourne fans are looking forward to their big day.
They’re among the loudest fans in Isthmian South East and will make themselves heard against the Shrimpers.
Maxwell wants his side to give them a performance to be proud of.
“It’s going to be a great day for the fans,” he said.
“I think we’ve sold pretty much 800 tickets now.
“I’m really looking forward to the fans enjoying the day and no doubt they’ll be in their absolute best voice. We’ll certainly need them.
“You and I both know that 800 Sittingbourne fans will sound like 3,000. It’s going to be fantastic.
“It’s going to be a day to remember, no matter what.
“My job is to take care of the football and make sure our DNA is all over Roots Hall, and that’ll be me happy.
“People can make mistakes but as long as our DNA is everywhere over that pitch, our fans can be proud of that and walk away proud regardless of the result, and that will make me proud.
“Walking out seeing a sea of red and black behind the goal will be a very special moment for everybody involved.”
One big decision facing Maxwell comes in goal.
Harley Earle has missed the past three games with a thigh strain but should be available.
Replacement James Batt has impressed, however, keeping two clean sheets out of three.
The latest of those came in a 4-0 win at AFC Croydon on Saturday as Sittingbourne maintained pressure on leaders Ramsgate.
Maxwell said: “Harley trained on Thursday but I didn’t want to risk him at Croydon and I was pleased we didn’t because he’ll be in better shape potentially if needed on Saturday.
“The injury’s nothing too serious - an adductor strain - but it was lingering and it could have got worse very quickly if you don’t treat it.
“It’s not something you can play with and it will go away.
“James has come in and done well.
“He’s a mature young man, with a great attitude and he’s fitted in really well.
“Harley’s young and James is a year or two younger, so it’s going to be a great experience for whoever plays.”
Ryan Kingsford and Troy Howard gave Sittingbourne a 2-0 lead at Croydon inside 13 minutes.
Richie Hamill added a third before the half-hour mark and Kingsford completed victory after the break.
“Croydon have got talented players who can hurt you,” said Maxwell.
“But we were very efficient, very professional and we approached the game with the right mentality.
“We were disciplined and focused on the job at hand - we didn’t let the upcoming game affect us whatsoever, which is full credit to the lads.”
Sittingbourne visit Erith Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).