We owe the Police one after away defeat, says Abbott

Friday 12th March 2010

SITTINGBOURNE return to League action at the weekend after bowing out of the Championship Manager League Cup on Thursday night, looking to get their play-off push in Ryman One South back on track by getting three points against the Metropolitan Police at Bourne Park, writes Mike Green.

Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after their League Cup exit, Brickies boss Gary Abbott said: “We wanted to get a good run in this competition and at the end of a season its always nice to be in a Cup Final, but tonight I thought we deserved more out of the game.

“I thought we gave away two sloppy goals – we talked about it last weekend; how we’re not reacting quickly enough when the ball’s dead and that’s exactly what’s happened with their goals tonight – they’ve missed a penalty as well, but to be fair in the last 15 minutes I thought we could have won the game.”

“We got a penalty and if we score that I think we win the game – perhaps that was the turning point? Overall I thought it was a good entertaining game to be honest and I thought the boys were brilliant especially after the poor performance on Tuesday (against Burgess Hill).

“We did the right things tonight – we got the ball down and played football, I thought Tom (Bradbrook) was magnificent I thought everything that came up to him stuck, but I am gutted as I thought we deserved to win the game in the second half!”

Turning his attentions to the weekend, Abbott admitted that the Police, who arrive at Bourne Park in mid table, have surprised him this season by struggling, especially early season.

Abbott said: “Going from last years team, I actually picked them to do well this year, but now they’ve been up and down – they started off not the best but have picked up – I think that Saturday’s loss to Folkestone was their first for a while.

“But its going to be a tough game, and we owe them one from down the as I don’t think we deserved to lose that game, so hopefully if we can play like we’ve done tonight, there’s only going to be one team getting the three points!

“They’re a good side, but we’re not worrying about other teams now, we’re just worrying about ourselves at the end of the day and if we play this well on Saturday we’ll be alright! And its important that we bounce back after Tuesday’s defeat… Everyone’s a bit tired after Tuesday / Thursday but I’m sure we’ll cope and when Saturday comes we’ll all want to go and win…”

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

Sittingbourne v Metropolitan Police

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 13th March 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

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