Abbott thinks about playing three up front against Whitstable

SITTINGBOURNE boss Gary Abbott appears to have no Christmas goodwill towards local rivals Whitstable Town ahead of Saturday’s clash at Bourne Park, writes Stephen McCartney.

Abbott has guided the Brickies to seventh place in the Ryman League Division One South table, following impressive performances against the two top sides in the division in the past seven days.

A 1-1 draw at Cray Wanderers was followed by a deserved 2-1 win at league leaders Kingstonian on Sunday, which ensures they join three other sides on 36 points.

But Abbott, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, following their win at Kingsmeadow, is still smarting from his side’s 1-0 home defeat to Whitstable Town in the second round of the Ryman League Cup on the first day of this month.

“I want to smash them after that game,” vowed Abbott. “They gave it all the big ‘un after the Cup game in the changing room, like they won the Cup Final.

“But I’m not into all of that. We could have done that today, we could have kicked the changing room’s down.

“We’re not about that. I don’t want my players to do that. We’ve come here quietly, we’ve come away quietly with three points.”

Abbott, who has upped the expectation levels at Bourne Park, saying “why can’t we win it?” has a selection headache against the fifth-from-bottom Oystermen.

Tom Bradbrook started the game as the lone striker at Kingstonian on Sunday and he scored two goals in the space of six second half minutes following the introduction of fellow striker Elie Kayembe.

Abbott must decide whether to play three up front - the other being Richard Brady - who was relegated to the bench due to feeling under the weather.

“Richard Brady is on the bench now, Elie’s come on and done his part, Tom’s scored two goals so do we go three up front against Whitstable?” pondered Abbott.

Whitstable Town follow up their trip to Bourne Park with a home game against high-flying Ashford Town.

And boss Marc Seager knows how important it is to beat sides like Chipstead, like they did by five-goals-to-one at Belmont last Saturday.

Whitstable moved four points clear of the drop zone and Seager knows his side must pick up points against their fellow struggling sides if they are to maintain their Ryman League status.

“It was excellent, the scoreline doesn’t flatter is in a long way,” Seager told www.kentishfootball.co.uk, before he watched Sittingbourne’s win at Kingstonian.

“We were absolutely superb and just pleased for the players really. Even though our league position isn’t great some of our games, some of the play, hasn’t been that bad.

“It was a big game for us and they are the games we have to win.

“We’re in our own mini-league and the games like Chipstead are the ones we’ve got to win.

“Ashford and Sittingbourne are in their own league. The points we pick up against them are bonuses but what we have to do is win the games like Chipstead.”

Seager was full of praise for his counterpart at Bourne Park, who, like him, works on a limited budget and have both had their budgets slashed.

“We’ve played them a couple of weeks ago in the League Cup,” recelled Seager. “Both teams had three or four missing but Sittingbourne are going really well, very well.

“Abbo’s done a very good job at the club. They drew at Cray and they should have won in the week so it will be a tough game.

“They are very well organised and it’s going to be tough but from my point of view I couldn’t ask for any better preparation with a rousing win.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Sittingbourne v Whitstable Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 27^th December 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB