I don't want to lose over the festive period, says Abbott

Monday 21st December 2009

SITTINGBOURNE boss Gary Abbott says an unbeaten record haul over the festive period will enhance his side’s play-off chasing push, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Brickies are presently in midtable in the Ryman League Division One South table and are ten points adrift of the final play-off berth, and a good festive programme will set them up to where they want to be.

They welcome arch-rivals Chatham Town to Bourne Park on Saturday, before travelling to struggling Whitstable Town on the following Tuesday night before the return match with Chatham, at Maidstone Road, on 2 January.

Despite the snow, Abbott revealed that his squad were training in the gym tonight, and will do so again on Wednesday night if they are unable to train at their ground.

Sittingbourne’s game at Whyteleafe was frozen off at the weekend, and Abbott, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight said, “Obviously we wanted the game to be played to try and get another win under our belts, but we knew it was in doubt anyway with all the snow and everything else.

“We just get on with it,” he added. “We’re training tonight in the gym and we’re trying to train Wednesday to prepare for Saturday.”

Games between Sittingbourne and Chatham Town are always feisty affairs and Abbott is looking forward to clashing with Alex O’Brien’s side.

“I’ve always said that every game is hard in our league wherever they are,” said Abbott.

“It’s a local derby, we both want to win and I think it’s down to who wants it the most on the day really and whoever wants it the most will probably win the game.”

Whitstable Town are one place and one point clear of the relegation zone, and Abbott said, “They’re struggling but they’ve pulled off a couple off good results, to be fair, in the last couple of weeks, so it’s going to be tough.

“But I’m quite confident we can go out there and beat Whitstable on the Tuesday night, but let’s get the Chatham one out of the way first.”

Abbott made clear what he wants over these three festive games.

He said: “I suppose you look at those three games and you want to get seven points out of it. If you want to get up there after Christmas you need to look at seven out of nine really, but obviously we’re going to go for every three points like we do every week.

“We’ll have a go at Chatham on Saturday and Whitstable Tuesday night and obviously the following Saturday we’ll look at Chatham again.

“Realistically we’re looking at seven out of the nine but obviously nine out of nine would be brilliant.”

“I want the play-off’s, I’ve said that all along. We missed out last year with a lot of injuries. We’ve not got the biggest squad so if we keep out players fit then we’ve got a great chance of getting in the play-off’s.

“I’ve always said we need a good run over Christmas and that’s a run of four or five wins. We’ve had two so let’s make it four or five with a bit of luck.”

Abbott reports that “everyone’s fit and raring to go” for the battles ahead.

Meanwhile, Sittingbourne officials have confirmed that under 16s can watch the Chatham Town home game for FREE.

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

Visit Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.net

Sittingbourne v Chatham Town

Ryman League Division One South

Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Bourne Park, Central Park Stadium, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB