Sittingbourne manager Reece Prestedge says all the new faces in his squad have settled in well as Brickies prepare for big weekend

Sittingbourne manager Reece Prestedge is encouraged to see his new-look squad settling in so well.

The Brickies have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season, taking seven points from three Isthmian South East games and reaching the FA Cup first qualifying round.

Prestedge made a number of changes over the summer and the signs look promising for a strong campaign.

“I think everyone’s settled in really well,” said Prestedge, whose side visit Aylesbury in the FA Trophy first qualifying round on Friday night (7.45pm) before hosting Ashford in the league on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm).

“They’ve all gelled. There’s some good characters in there, some good eggs, and they’re all pulling in the right direction, which is pleasing.

“It’s still early, so I’m sure the more we talk and train and get games under our belts, the more it will click.”

The Brickies’ FA Trophy tie has been brought forward to Friday night as Aylesbury are groundsharing at Beaconsfield Town.

It could work out in their favour, giving them an extra day’s rest before the Kent derby against Ashford.

“We had to move the game so it was either Friday night, Saturday night or Sunday,” said Prestedge. “Only one of those made sense, so we had it swapped to the Friday.

The Brickies boss, speaking about the Ashford match, added: “I’m expecting a good game.

“They had a really good run to the end of last season.

“I’ve said it before but I don’t think there are any easy games in this league any more. It’s a relentless league.

“If you don’t turn up, you end up losing. It can be a ruthless and relentless league and you’ve just got to make sure you’re doing what you’re doing. That’s credit to the clubs in this league.”

Striker Harvey Smith set Sittingbourne on their way to a 2-1