Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell stresses promotion priority as Brickies gear up for FA Cup preliminary round tie at VCD Athletic

Ryan Maxwell has placed promotion firmly at the top of his list of priorities as Sittingbourne prepare to enter this season’s FA Cup.

The Brickies excelled in both major knockout competitions last season but manager Maxwell felt they paid the price in the league as Ramsgate beat them to the Isthmian South East title.

They reached the third qualifying round of the FA Cup - their best run in a decade - and were within 180 minutes of Wembley after a historic run to the FA Trophy quarter-finals.

Sittingbourne visit VCD Athletic in the FA Cup preliminary round this Saturday (3pm) and while Maxwell is keen to advance, cup football can’t get in the way of their league ambitions.

“We’ll go out to win every game, of course, but there was a real focus last year on the cups,” said Maxwell.

“I wouldn’t call it a priority this year.

“We can revisit that later down the line as a club but I think last year we ticked enough boxes to have experienced what it’s like to go on an incredible cup run.

“I think, from my own point of view, and the players’ and the club’s, I really want to focus on the league this year.

“Ultimately, what cost us last year was our success in the cups, and it’s not what I’m here for now.

“My goal this year is to get promoted and that’s it.

“We can have another cup run down the line, and I’m sure we will, but this year for me is all about the league.”

Sittingbourne opened the league season with a 3-1 victory at Deal Town on Saturday.

Jean-Baptiste Fischer scored twice in six minutes as the Brickies recovered from a goal down and Luke Woodward’s cracker clinched a deserved victory.

The pair were popular goalscorers, having missed virtually all of last season with knee injuries.

“JB’s a class player that can play two