Kentish Football 
Our plan is to get as many local players playing for Sittingbourne, says Jim Ward
Sittingbourne are presently unbeaten in six games and are presently exceeding all expectations in fifth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with 25 points from 15 games.
Ward reflected on his side’s 3-1 win over his former club, Ramsgate, at Southwood Stadium on 20 November.
He said: “Going back was always going to be emotional, not just for me and Danny but obviously we had five players who played for Ramsgate before, four of which were told they were no longer required so it was going to be difficult for everybody.
“We’ve gone back there, we won 3-1, played alright. So we’re pleased with the nights work.”
Two goals from the prolific Ryan Golding sealed a 2-2 home draw against Merstham last Saturday.
The Surrey side are managed by former Bromley manager Hayden Bird and his side include the likes of Tutu Henriques and Luke I’Anson – two former Bromley players in their ranks.
“Merstham, for me, are one of the best,” said Ward.
“They’ve got some faces in their team. They knocked the ball about really well so we were pleased after the game.
“Against Tooting & Mitcham, which we won and Ramsgate that we won and then on top of that we had to play this tough game against Merstham and got a point so on the week’s football we got ourselves seven points out of nine so we’re delighted with that.”
Ward added: “I can’t say nothing about the boys at the moment. They were three really tough games last week and like I said we haven’t had the same team out every week either. There’s eight maybe nine players and I have to fill in another two each week with injuries and suspensions.
“To be fair we’ve probably had too many suspensions this year, which is something that we’re trying to work on.”
Sittingbourne travel to fourth-placed Crawley Down Gatwick on Saturday, a side that are two points higher than the Brickies, who have a game in hand.
“It’s a massive game,” said Ward. “Again, he’s got some good forwards there, the boy (Luke) Blewden and (Fraser) Logan. I’ve known them from other games before in the Premiership before, especially Fraser. I know their manager John Maggs.
“We’ll go there and be nice and positive. We’ve worked on what we wanted to do so we’ll be ready.”
Sittingbourne play seven games up to and including their trip to Maidstone United on New Years’ Day, which includes Kent derbies against Hythe Town, Faversham Town and Herne Bay.
Ward said: “We’ve played plenty of games but a lot of people see it as a yardstick where you are in the middle of January. You’ve played everyone at least once, a couple of teams twice. You see it as a yardstick once you get Christmas out of the way.
“We’re not different. We said at the start of the season that it’s a two-year plan, but we’re a week bit above ourselves.”
Ward revealed the finer details of his two-year plan.
“We have a plan and it’s to get as many local players as we can from the Sittingbourne area who want to play for Sittingbourne Football Club. That’s the biggest thing that we want. It will take time but we’re striving to do that.
“Half the team that we’ve got were players’ people didn’t want at any other clubs. Every time I want another player I ring people up and they come up and train and they fit in.
“We’ve done it loads of times this year. We’ve turned people away every week. When I say turn them away, they’re given their opportunity and they go and find another club.
“We’ve gone through so many players at this club this year trying to get the right balance.”
Ward wants to have a successful local team at Sittingbourne – but he knows that will take time.
“That’s what we’re trying to do,” added Ward. “There’s no reserves or no youth section so you can only do it by nicking players out of Academies. Our own Academy, which is really good, very good, we’re hoping three or four of them can come through.
“They’ve been training with us and we’re looking to get more out of that. There’s no stepping stone from the Academy to the first team so it’s difficult.
“At the moment we’ve got three great forwards. We’ve got Hicham Akhazzan, Ryan Golding and we’ve got Joe Taylor and they’ve all scored a good amount of goals.
“We’ve got a couple of lads on the bench, Connor Coyne and Tom Loynes who are capable of taking their places – so we’re good going forward.
“The whole set up needs to be better, needs to be stronger, that’s probably the right word, strong in depth.”
Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk
Crawley Down Gatwick v Sittingbourne
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 1st December 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Haven Sportsfield (Haven Centre), Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down, West Sussex RH10 4LJ
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd