Abbott wants positive reaction as six-game run comes to an end - EXCLUSIVE

DESPITE their six match unbeaten run coming to an end at Eastbourne Town last weekend, Sittingbourne manager Gary Abbott was pleased with the reaction from his players inside the dressing room afterwards, writes Stephen McCartney.

“Everyone in the changing room, heads were down,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I wanted to see that and see their reaction. We’ll learn from it. I’d be glad to have taken a point up there but I’m hoping to get on another good run.”

And Abbott said: “We just have to get our heads up and see how we react and see if we can bounce back - it would be nice to get three points.”

Abbott now prepares for the visit of fourth-placed side Kingstonian on Saturday.

He watched the K’s 3-0 defeat at Dover Athletic last Monday, a result that put Andy Hessenthaler’s men joint-top with Tooting & Mitcham United - with two games in hand.

And he is expecting his Sittingbourne side to dent the fourth-placed Surrey outfit’s promotion chances further.

He said: “Dover are a good side and they knocked it around well. Kingstonian did try to play at times but there’s nothing to fear.

“I’m quite positive we can get three points Saturday against Kingstonian.

“They’ve got a quick left-winger (Dean Lodge). He’s quick as anything. He was quick but I think when he got into areas he didn’t deliver - his final ball isn’t the best.

“I don’t want to pick out what their weaknesses are but I will be playing more attacking football against their back four.

“Me and Richard Brady went over there, there’s nothing to fear in them. They’re beatable. Dover scored three, could have been more. I’d be happy with a one-nil win.”

Ian Varley is expected to feature against the K’s and Abbott hopes to have a new face on loan by the match gets underway at Bourne Park on Saturday.

He said: “There might be a couple of new faces that’s all. Ian Varley has come to us, started the season with Sittingbourne and had to go up north.

“He trained last night and wants to stay with us for the rest of the season.

“He looks a good player, a good talker, lots of energy. He can play at right-back, centre half or midfield. I will stick him in midfield to give us a bit more legs.”

And on transfer movement, Abbott added: “I might be getting someone on loan tomorrow who might come in on Saturday.

“I spoke to AFC Wimbledon about a striker, Steve Goddard, hopefully he will be with us next Saturday on loan.

“I just think we are not holding the ball up front. He’s only 19, six-foot one, quite raw, a little bit nasty - gives us a bit more options really.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website:  www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Sittingbourne v Kingstonian
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 26^th January 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne ME10 3SB