We're building for the future, says Sittingbourne joint-manager Jim Ward

Thursday 14th February 2013

SITTINGBOURNE joint-manager Jim Ward says his side are between two and three years ahead of schedule.

The Brickes go into their last fourteen league games of their Ryman League Division One South campaign sitting in the top-five, with 45 points from 28 games, two points clear of Crawley Down Gatwick.

They defeated Scott Porter’s Hythe Town last weekend, courtesy of Joe Taylor’s fifteenth-goal of the season coming from the penalty spot.

”It was a terrible game,” he said. “The ball was in the air an awful lot. It’s something that we don’t try to do but conditions prevailed and fair play to the lads. We really stuck in and really deserved to win the game.”

Ward added: ”Joe’s doing well. He’s playing on the right wing for me. We’re playing a formation that gives him a lot of freedom. He scored his penalty on Saturday and he’s had a bit of a free header, which is something he needs to work on, he’s heading ability. For a big lad he should be stronger, but he’s come on leaps and bounds this year and I’m pleased with the boy. He’s got his goals this year and he’s learning all the time.”

Ward has enticed prolific goalscorer Ashley Baverstock to leave Sittingbourne-based Kent League club Woodstock Sports and to sign for him this week to plug the gap left by injured former Crockenhill marksman Ryan Golding.

Ward said: ”Ryan’s has had a lot of injuries since November and he’s still got 29 goals. He’s finding it difficult at the moment through injuries.

”I looked at Ashley in pre-season and I decided to take a bit of a risk. He’s not much of a risk to be fair. He’s scored his goals in the Kent League with a mid-table team. He’s dead keen to come along and give it a go so he’s welcome.

”He’s aggressive, he likes a goal, obviously. He’s got 19 goals in the Kent League. He’s played at this level before with Herne Bay and that. He’s trained with us and he’s come through that well.

Sittingbourne travel to Surrey to play Merstham, a side that are managed by former Bromley boss Hayden Bird.

Merstham go into the game sitting in the bottom four, with 27 points from 25 games.

Ward said: “Hayden Bird has spent a few bob down there. I thought they were a decent side but at the moment they can’t get a result for love or money so we just hope that continues on Saturday.”

Sittingbourne then welcome fifth-from-bottom Whitstable Town to Bourne Park next Tuesday night.

The Oystermen are now managed by former Gillingham and Dover Athletic midfielder Nicky Southall and are eleven points clear off the relegation zone.

”I take nobody lightly. I look for the playing ability and character of my team and all the teams in this division are all capable of beating one another,” warned the former Ramsgate boss.

”It’s a local derby. We haven’t done too bad in the local derbies. Richard Langley was my coach at one time and I get on very well with Trigger (Southall) so it will be good to see the lads.

”A few of the lads have played for me in the past.

”It will be blood and thunder but we’re not doing too bad so we’re looking forward to these games.”

The Ward brothers (Jim and Danny) have worked miracles to put the club in with a shout of securing a play-off spot at the end of the season.

”Me and Danny had a two to three year plan about getting a squad together to really challenge in the third year,” said Jim.

”Let me tell you, I think I’ve got nine players who would go on the team sheet automatically if it’s any sort of Cup Final - if they’re all fit and available.

”Me and Danny are delighted with the way it’s gone. Forget about the position in the league. As much as you want to be as high as we can it doesn’t really interest us. We’re just building a squad for the future, building a level of discipline as well, which we’ve been trying to do since Christmas.

”We’re delighted. I’ll take it (the play-off’s) if it comes along. We’re under no illusions. We’re here to build for a two to three year plan.

”All the lads that I’ve got at Sittingbourne are on contract. They’re not on the biggest contracts in the world but they’re on contract. They know why they’re here for – it’s building for the future.”

With their side ten points behind leaders Maidstone United, when asked whether his side can go on to grab the league title, Ward said: “I keep saying this division is like a jumped up Kent League. We’ve got a few extra teams in there like your Dulwich’s and Leatherhead’s and all that.

”The eight teams not many years ago were in the Kent League and me and Danny have won that a few times so why can’t we be successful in this sort of league?

”I think Maidstone will have to throw it away. Dulwich will go close, Leatherhead. I don’t pay much attention to the league table. I just know we’re doing alright and are in the right areas in the league.”

Ward added: “Maidstone, you’d think with the money they’ve got, they’d be successful.”

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

Merstham v Sittingbourne
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 16^th February 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Weldon Way, Merstham, Surrey RH1 3QB