Sittingbourne top of Isthmian South East at Christmas as manager Ryan Maxwell calls for big Boxing Day crowd against Sheppey United

Sittingbourne are top of the table at Christmas after continuing their remarkable form.

The Brickies rattled off a 12th successive league victory on Saturday by winning 2-1 at Eastbourne Town.

They move a point clear of long-time leaders Ramsgate after their match at Merstham was called off.

Aware of the postponement, Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell urged his players to take the Christmas No.1 spot in Isthmian South East.

They did it, thanks to goals from Troy Howard and Ryan Kingsford, and go into the Boxing Day derby at home to Swale rivals Sheppey in great shape.

“It’s one of those things we all look at come Christmas time,” said Maxwell.

“If you’re top at Christmas you always think you’ve got a real good chance to go and do something.

“Obviously we’ve played an extra game than Ramsgate now but they’ve got to win that game.

“It’s nice for the mental side of it to be top.

“You have to make players aware of opportunities and I did make them aware of it, the opportunity was there to go top.

“It was in the team-talk and I thought it was right to tell them.

“It’s the first time we’ve been top.

“There’s a significance behind it but there’s a long, long, long way to go, we know that, so nothing will change here. But it’s still nice to be top on Christmas Day.”

A big crowd is anticipated for the 1pm kick-off on Boxing Day as Sittingbourne put their 100% home record on the line against local rivals Sheppey.

The Brickies have won 11 out of 11 at Woodstock but know the Ites, who sit just outside the play-offs, will test that run.

“I really hope the weather’s kind and it encourages people to come out,” said Maxwell, whose side continue a busy spell with a trip to Broadbridge Heath this Saturday (3pm).

“I’d love a big crowd there. It’s