We're keeping our feet on the ground, insists Lovell - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Monday 30th October 2006

Sittingbourne stretched their unbeaten run to seven games to climb within two points of the Ryman League Division One South summit, following their 3-1 win at local rivals Chatham Town, writes Stephen McCartney.

Strikers Andy Doerr (whose now scored ten goals) and Mark Lovell have scored eighteen goals between them, both got on the score sheet, with Lee Browning getting the third goal at Maidstone Road.

But Bourne boss Steve Lovell felt his side would have scored a lot more, if it wasn’t for the form of highly-rated goalkeeper John Whitehouse.

He said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  “Very well deserved. We played very well and if it wasn’t for their goalkeeper I think we could have won six or seven, maybe a bit more.”

Walton Casuals, who are in the bottom seven and have collected only one point on the road this season, visit Bourne Park on Tuesday night and Lovell wants his side to maintain their impressive form.

“We just take each game as it comes,” he said. “I know we’re on a bit of a roll but that could change but we have to be concentrating on what we are doing and keep our feet on the ground.

“They’ve had a couple of good results so they will be no pushovers so it will be a very difficult game.”

But the Welshman is pleased with his side's progression in their new league after ten league games.

He said: “In this league everybody on their day can beat anyone else. We’re fourth at the moment, there’s only two points separating us and the top of the league.

“If somebody had told at the start of the season that’s where we’ll be that’s how I’ll take it.

“The boys are doing well, we’ve got a good squad and working hard to make it a decent season.”

Lovell did remind his prolific strike duo that he does have back-up if they fail to deliver the goals.

“Andy and Mark between them have got 18 goals and their both playing very well together,” he said. “They complement each other and long may it continue.

“I’ve got other good forwards like Jon Neal and Kam Singh waiting in the wings if the other two slip up,” he warned.

But Lovell revealed that two of his players picked up injuries against their local rivals on Saturday, with Kieran Marsh (ankle) and Steve Searle (groin) doubtful for Tuesday night.

“I brought Lee Browning and Clint Gooding on Saturday and they both done well - there’s competition for places now,” said Lovell.

Lovell appreciated the support coming from their fans at Chatham on Saturday and wants them to be vocal against Walton Casuals too.

He added: “There was great support there at Chatham and got behind the boys, giving them a lift. It will be nice to see them turn up at home.”

Sittingbourne have now beaten their local rivals for at least four games, and Lovell wants more teams to have a poor record against his side.

“I’d like to make most teams in the league their bogey side and if you do that we know we are doing well,” he said.

“We’ve got tough games coming up between now and Christmas and we have to make sure we approach the games the same way.

“If we can strive forwards we know we are going in the right direction. If we do have blips - all teams go through a bit of a bad patch - we know we have to address it and turn it around, but you never know that may not happen.”

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

Sittingbourne v Walton Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 31st October 2006
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB