You just don't know we might just be the one of the teams that surprise a few, says Sittingbourne boss Nick Davis

SITTINGBOURNE boss Nick Davis has challenged his side to surprise a few people in the Ryman League Division One South this season.

The Brickies finished their campaign slap bang in the middle in 12^th place last season and they open their new campaign with a trip to their Kent rivals Herne Bay on Saturday.

Sam Denly guided the Bay to their highest ever position in the Ryman League when they finished in ninth-place last season.

Sittingbourne then play two home games, against Hastings United (Tuesday 11 August) and South Park (15 August) and Davis is looking to get off to a good start.

He said: “We have a points target in mind for the first three and we will keep that in-house.

“Bay had a good season last year and have a group of players that have been together a while now.

“They were not too far off a play-off spot near the end of last season and I have no doubt that will be their target for this season.

“A Kent derby first up and these fixtures always add a little spice to the game and I'd also expect there to be a decent crowd.

“You know Tony (Cornwell) and I and we don't leave any stone unturned. We have done our homework on Herne Bay as we will be doing with Hastings, South Park and with every side we play.

“So we will go there with a game plan and hopefully my young side can get something from it.”

Hastings United completed their campaign in the bottom six last season and Davis expects a club of that stature should be challenging for honours.

He said: “Hastings are a massive club and they should be playing a lot higher, let's face it! They have recruited a lot of quality especially in the final third and now possess a lot of pace in the wider areas.

“If I am led to believe they are the favourites this year and have huge expectations on their shoulders especially with their budget and how they under-achieved last year.

“So a really tough start and with the players we are missing early on it is going to be a huge test for us, but on the other hand it gives one or two of the others a chance to shine and make the shirt their own.

“We need to continue this season where we left off the last year as we ended the season on a real high and only lost 2 in the last 15 and I know you can't read into pre-season to much but we won 6 and drew one form our 8 games and winning becomes a habit.

“Other than the usual suspects of Folkestone and Faversham I think it is wide open and you just don't know if you can manage to go on runs at the right time be within touching distance by January then I reckon 15 clubs reckon they are in with a chance of the play-offs.

“For me, to better last season's position and points target will be my first aim, score a few more goals and then you just don't know we might just be the one of the teams who surprise a few.”

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

Herne Bay  v  Sittingbourne
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 8^th August 2015
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG