Sittingbourne have already played away to five of the top six clubs in Bostik League South this season.
They complete the set on Saturday when they travel to third-placed Corinthian Casuals for Aslan Odev’s first away game as the club’s interim manager.
Result-wise, Odev had a start to forget last weekend when his team lost the lead Kane Rowland gave them against East Grinstead and went down 2-1 to an injury time winner.
The new manager has impressed everyone with his quiet calm and steady thinking and is certain he has a good bunch of players with him who will back him all the way.
Disappointing as the East Grinstead defeat was, Sittingbourne at least played well, hitting the woodwork twice and generally showing plenty of commitment and determination.
Failing to keep a lead has been a problem over the last few months and it happened when Casuals visited Sittingbourne in November.
The Brickies twice went ahead, through John Coker with a penalty and top scorer Rowland, but each time Casuals fought back and a late equaliser gave them a 2-2 draw.
At the time both teams were involved in the chase for a play-off place but since then while Casuals have stayed in contention Sittingbourne have gone into freefall into the wrong half of the table.
Since the managerial shake-up which saw Nick Davis resign and Odev replace him at least until the end of the season, Sittingbourne have lost Miles Cornwell, Sal Kisitu and Laurence Ball from their squad.
But new left-back Fabrice Blewordah had an impressive first game last week, though he’ll face competition for his place at Casuals as Chris Elliott is available again after suspension.
Coker is still ruled out with injury, though, and his absence meant Sittingbourne went into the match with East Grinstead with their fourth captain since the start of the year – Ben Davisson taking over in a role previously occupied by Ben Gorham, Coker and then Cornwell.
Casuals are in a good run of form and have won their last four games to maintain their challenge for promotion.
They beat Sittingbourne 4-0 on their own pitch last season when a first half injury to captain Jono Richardson proved a turning point in the match.
That was on their way to a fourth place finish and Casuals then got within an inch of promotion – reaching the play-off final only to lose out to Dorking Wanderers in a penalty shoot-out after a goalless draw.
