Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell says stats go out the window in the play-offs as he targets third place and a home tie for the club’s ‘phenomenal’ fans

Ryan Maxwell wants to reward fans with a home tie after Sittingbourne booked a play-off place for the first time.

The Brickies’ 2-2 draw with Lancing on Saturday confirmed a top-five finish in Isthmian South East.

And they’re four points clear in third place with two games left after winning 1-0 at Hythe last night.

They need to retain third to secure home advantage against either Chichester or Three Bridges in the semi-finals, but could still end up fourth or fifth.

Ramsgate and Cray Valley are fighting it out for first and second.

Maxwell’s side have been good away, losing just once on their travels compared to five defeats at Woodstock.

But the manager has Brickies fans in mind as he sets about securing third place.

Bourne play their penultimate match of the regular season at Phoenix Sports this Saturday (3pm).

Boss Maxwell said: “Personally, I’m not worried where we play in the play-offs but I would like a home tie for our phenomenal fans.

“They’ve been absolutely outstanding this season.

“In my opinion, they’re the best fans in the league.

“They’re so loyal and vocal and they’ve been nothing but supportive so I’d love to have the game at Woodstock for that reason.

“If you look at stats, you’d probably say you want an away tie but every single stat goes out of the window when it comes to the play-offs.

“It’s not about stats, I can assure you. It’s about whether we’re right on the day, whether we’re home or away.”

Sittingbourne occasionally flirted with the play-offs following their introduction in the early 2000s but were never serious contenders until this season.

It’s been a matter of when, not if, they would confirm their place in the top five, allowing Maxwell the luxury of experimenting in recent matches.

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