Sittingbourne and Ramsgate are both having highly impressive seasons in The Pitching In Isthmian South-East Division. The Rams have gone so close to promotion in the last two campaigns finishing as runner's up. In 22/23 they were pipped to the title by Chatham Town who finished seven points ahead of them and they then were knocked out by Hythe Town on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the play-off semi-final. Last season saw Cray Valley PM topped the table by six points and The Rams were knocked out by Chichester City at the semi-final stage again - The West Sussex side recorded a shock 0-1 victory as they had finished twenty points behind their opponents in the league table.
Manager Ben Smith left the club over the summer and was replaced by former Lewes boss Tony Russell who left the club after just 25 days without a game being played. Smith returned to the club at first on an interim basis and is now back in the hot-seat assisted by the highly experienced Joe Ellul in a player/assistant manager role.
Former Braintree Town and Walthamstow boss Ryan Maxwell took over as Sittingbourne boss in January 2023 and has recently committed his future to the club signing a two and a half year contract extension which runs to the end of the 26/27 campaign.
After 25 games played it's The Rams who lead the way on 68 points with twenty-two wins, just one defeat and two draws. Their only defeat came at East Grinstead Town with draws at home to Burgess Hill Town and at local rival's Margate in front of 2,500 people at Hartsdown Park on Boxing Day!
After their 3-0 win over East Grinstead Town tonight The Brickies are on 66 points with just one defeat and three draws. Crucially their only defeat came at Ramsgate on the second day of the season who won 4-2 with draws coming against Beckenham Town, Sevenoaks Town and Ashford United.
Margate are in third place (12 points behind The Brickies) but could still have a huge say in the title race as they are still to play Sittingbourne home and away in February and at Ramsgate on Bank Holiday Monday 21st April.
THE FINAL GAME ON THE LEAGUE SEASON COMES ON SATURDAY 26th APRIL WHEN SITTINGBOURNE HOST RAMSGATE - COULD THIS BE THE TITLE DECIDER?
Ryan Maxwell's side are still on The Road To Wembley in the Isuzu FA Trophy having beaten Sutton Common Rovers, Kingstonian, Bognor Regis Town, Dover Athletic, Winchester City, Enfield Town and Salisbury. They travel to Vanarama National League Southend United in an eagerly anticipated Fifth Round tie on Saturday 1st February.
One thing everyone behind the scenes at Sittingbourne will be working hard to improve in their attendances. The town has a population of just over 50,000 but their league average this season is currently 318 which drops to 268 when we exclude the 826 crowd against Sheppey United on Boxing Day. The figure agianst The Ites shows there is potential as 706 saw their last FA Trophy tie at home to Salisbury. Ramsgate's current league average is 886 which is an amazing improvement as the club averaged between 100 and 200 just a few seasons ago - take a look back to Tuesday 16th September 2014 when 74 people saw their Ryman Division One South game against Walton & Hersham.
This weekend The Rams are on the road to mid-table Erith Town and Sittingbourne travel to sixteenth placed AFC Croydon Athletic. Third placed Margate host relegation threatened Phoenix Sports.
Ben Smith has added to his already impressive squad today with the signing of forward Jefferson Aibangbee from Sevenoaks Town - He has scored 17 goals in all competitions for The Oaks so far this season. He has also previously played for Faversham Town and Sheppey United.
TABLE COURTESY OF FOOTBALLWEBPAGES.CO.UK
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