I'd give Sittingbourne odds of 10-1 of progressing in the FA Cup, says boss Jim Ward

SITTINGBOURNE joint-manager Jim Ward says he has played down his chances of winning their FA Cup tie away to Whitehawk on Saturday.



The Brickies travel down to Brighton to play last season’s Ryman League Division One South champions in the First Qualifying Round.

Sittingbourne knocked Burnham out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle at Bourne Park a couple of weeks ago to scoop £1,750 in much-needed prize money for the cash-strapped Kent club.

The club will collect £3,000 if they pull off a FA Cup giant-killing at East Preston Park.

Ward said: “10-1 shot.  10-1 shot to win. If I was a bookie that’s the sort of odds that I’d give Sittingbourne of progressing!

“We’ve got not much hope at all.  We’re having a fun day of it, that’s what we’re going to do.

“Whitehawk, for the last two years, have been much better than the Ryman South, they’ll be in the play-offs again in the (Ryman) Premier League without a doubt, They’re a big money side, they’ve made great signings in Scott McLeish and Matt Lawrence who have got 1,500 League appearances between them.

“Like I said, I’m only concerned about us. We’ve got off to a reasonable start. The lads’ have done well.  We’ll go Saturday, everyone will get a little lucky bag on the coach, just food, drink, sweeties, stuff like that and have a bit of fun.”

But Ward warned: “We won’t go down there to lie down. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being flippant with the FA Cup. We’ll go down there and we’ve already watched them twice.  I’ve had other reports from other managers and that. Everything that has been done has been done.

“Sittingbourne have come third-from-bottom last year in Ryman South and Whitehawk won it and they’ve progressed and we’ve come on a little bit from last year.

“The one thing I will say is if they don’t show us any respect – and I doubt that very much because I know Darren Freeman – we’ll beat them so they’ve got to be careful as well.

“We’re delighted to get through the first round, earned the club a nice couple of bob. We move on now get on to this and next week we’ve got Horsham (in the FA Trophy) and try and get a few bob and try and help the club.

“It’s very difficult in this day and age money wise.”

Sittingbourne are in fourteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table and Ward reflected on their start.

“After three games we’ve beaten Three Bridges 2-1 away from home and we had a man sent off and we ended up winning the game so on other days you’d think a draw would have been a fair result,” said the 60-year-old former Ramsgate boss.

“We got beat by Folkestone who were fortunate on the night – we deserved at least a draw.

“We went down to Herne Bay on Saturday and again a draw, but maybe we should have edged it so four points I suppose is about fair.

“It doesn’t matter how you earn the points, it’s when you add them all up at the end of the season.”

One fixture that the Bourne Park faithful is looking forward to is when former manager Richard Brady returns with his relegated Leatherhead side next Tuesday (subject to FA Cup results).

“I know Richard, he’s alright. He done what he had to do. He took nine players out of Sittingbourne since he’s left.  That’s not affected me.  Much of that hasn’t interfered with me as the only one he’s taken is the goalkeeper Matt Reed.

“I don’t have a gripe with Richard Brady, maybe the fans have, maybe some of the committee have, I don’t know.

“It’s not something that we’ll be speaking about. I know it’s there and he will get a little bit of stick but he’s got broad enough shoulders.”

Ward would like to win his first home league game against the Surrey side next Tuesday.

“We’ve played in the FA cup at home as well, which was good, that was a great game against Burnham. We deserved to win. Burnham are a big money side so it was a good scalp and the game against Folkestone was entertaining. We had a lot of chances but couldn’t score.

“It will be nice to get off and get running on Tuesday night.”

Sittingbourne are without three players for their trip to Whitehawk on Saturday and Ward admits also being without Simon Pettit, who he brought with him from Ramsgate, is a massive loss.

He said: “I’m surprised the club and the set of players have gone on and done so well without Simon because he’s great in the changing room and great on the pitch and it’s a massive blow.

“He’s got a bet with Danny (Ward) that January 1^st will be his comeback – let’s hope he’s right!”

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

Whitehawk  v  Sittingbourne
The FA Cup with Budweiser First Qualifying Round
Saturday 8^th September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at East Brighton Park, Wilson Avenue, Brighton, BN2 5TS