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Sittingbourne manager Aslan Odev believes higher-league opposition could suit his side in FA Trophy

Aslan Odev fancies Sittingbourne's chances of an FA Trophy upset this weekend.

Bourne host Bostik Premier club Wingate & Finchley in the first qualifying round on Saturday.

The visitors are favourites but Brickies boss Odev believes the tie could suit his Bostik South East side.

Sittingbourne manager Aslan Odev Picture: Tony Jones
Sittingbourne manager Aslan Odev Picture: Tony Jones

He said: "If we turn up and play at our best then I truly believe we can beat anyone.

"We've got to make sure we're fully focused and concentrated, and we will be.

"We've had a look at Wingate and we'll get a more thorough report.

"Sometimes I feel when we play teams in a higher league it suits the way we play better.

"We're in-your-face, 100mph, and when we play teams at our level who don't try to keep possession and just play it in the air, we're not always as good.

"We have to make sure we tick all the boxes and play the way we want to play."

Sittingbourne are waiting for news on captain Chris Webber.

He missed Saturday's 1-1 draw against Phoenix with a foot injury and may not be fit.

Odev said: "The doctor said it's one of those that's hard to judge.

"It could be short-term, it could be slightly longer.

"He's not just our captain, he's an important player."

If Webber doesn't make it, player-coach Nathan Elder is likely to keep the armband.

He was named stand-in skipper against Phoenix in just his second start.

Odev said: "We had Tom Loynes, who's made numerous appearances for the club, but we felt Nathan would be a good figurehead for us.

"He's part of the coaching team, so he knows what we want and we were hoping he would convey that on the pitch.

"We felt it was the right decision and the players did, too. Nathan was quite proud to be captain."

Sittingbourne visit Folkestone in the League Cup second round on Tuesday.

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