THE BIG KICK OFF: Sittingbourne without eight for trip to fancied side Worthing - EXCLUSIVE

Thursday 16th August 2007

Sittingbourne boss, Steve Lovell, speaking after training tonight, revealed that he’s missing EIGHT players for their Ryman League Division One South opener at Worthing on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Defender, Paul Ainsworth (calf) and striker Lee Browning (concussion), who impressed during their last campaign, are out of their trip to Woodside Road.

“Unfortunately we’re missing Paul Ainsworth, last season’s player-of-the-year, and Lee Browning, runner-up and second top scorer last season,” Lovell revealed EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“They’re two big players for us, but unfortunately going to be missing for the first game.”

Lovell, whose operating with a first-team squad of around 20, revealed whose missing for their trip to the west Sussex coast.

Injured midfielder, Colin Richmond, won’t be fit for another couple of weeks, and Steve Searle returns from his honeymoon next week, and Hicham Akhazzan also returns from his break away next week.

Lovell is also waiting to receive international clearance for Australian goalkeeper, Travis Glenn.

And James Gregory is nursing a hamstring injury, and Lovell said: “We’ve got eight players out of the squad of 20 that are not available.

“So all in all, we’re a bit thin on the ground, but we will go there and give a good account of ourselves, I’m sure.”

Lovell did reveal that Lee Hockey will replace Ainsworth, but he’s to look at the conditions of the pitch before naming his strike force.

He said: “Lee Hockey will come in at centre back for Paul Ainsworth and I haven’t decided whose going to be playing instead of Lee (Browning).

“I’ll wait and see what the pitch is like when we get there and see which way we’re going to set-up.”

But Lovell is expecting a tough start to their Ryman League Division One South campaign.

“It’s going to be difficult,” he said. “If they’re going to win the league, they’ve obviously set out to have a go.

“They’re a big club, but they’ve always been quite a good club in non-league terms.

“They came down last year (and) they will be strong and eager to get back up to the premier again.”

Lovell goes into the game not knowing too much about the Rebels.

“I don’t know much about them at all,” he admitted. “We’re going to go down and play our way and worry about ourselves, concentrate on our own game and if we do the things we’ve been doing in pre-season and working on, I’m sure we will give a good account of ourselves.”

Lovell will do a head count before they tackle Leatherhead at Bourne Park on Tuesday night.

He said: “Tuesday is another kettle of fish and it all depends (that) everyone comes through Saturday unscathed.

“That’s the problem with clubs like us with small squads, your relying on people to remain fit for the majority of the time and it gives you a chance then.”

Meanwhile, club officials would like to remind supporters that they’ve changed their travel arrangements for their trip to Worthing.

The coach will now pick fans up from Rainham White Horse Pub (10:45am), Central Park (11:00am), Medway Services (11:15am) and Holiday Inn just of the M26 at 11:45am.

There are still seats available, please contact Peter Pitts, telling him where you are meeting the coach, on 07785 906 627.

The fare is £8 (supporters’ club members) and £9 for non-members.

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

Worthing v Sittingbourne
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 18^th August 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Woodside Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7HQ

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