By Craig Tucker

Sittingbourne joint-boss Jim Ward fears leading scorer Ryan Golding will become a target for opposition defenders.

Golding took his tally to 23 goals for the season – 14 of which were for Crockenhill – last Saturday against Chipstead but was at the centre of the game’s main talking point.

Chipstead’s Craig Vernon was sent-off during the 2-2 draw for an alleged headbutt on Golding, and manager Ward fears that Golding can expect more rough treatment from defenders as they try to blunt the Brickies’ attack.

"That’s 23 goals he’s got now and that will make him a target for defenders," said Ward (pictured).

"It will be a big test of his character but he’s such a level-headed lad, I’ve no doubt he’ll be able to handle it.

"Ryan was on the sidelines for a few minutes (on Saturday) but he did well to come back on and score our second goal. We kept threatening to take him off but he came through fantastically."

Read the full story in Wednesday's Sittingbourne News Extra.