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Sport

Gillingham youngster Ethan Smith one of two new arrivals at Sittingbourne after three players, including Toby Ajala, depart

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 09 February 2022

Sittingbourne have released their only contracted player as the ins and outs continue at Woodstock.

Midfielder Toby Ajala has left the club after an injury-hit campaign with the Brickies, his deal terminated by mutual consent.

Toby Ajala has left Sittingbourne Picture: Ken Medwyn

Tyler Christian Law and Jedd Smith have also departed, joining Potters Bar and Sevenoaks respectively, to go with the recent exits of Ahmed Abdulla and Sri Lanka international Marvin Hamilton.

The Brickies had high hopes for Ajala, 30, who played in the Football League with Bristol City and AFC Wimbledon, but the move didn’t work out.

“We’ve come to a mutual agreement for Toby to leave,” said manager Darren Blackburn.

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“He’s been out for a long time and unfortunately hasn’t been able to get himself fit.

"Tyler Christian Law has gone to Potters Bar, where Sammy Moore has taken over, and Jedd Smith has accepted an offer from Sevenoaks.”

Blackburn, whose side host Isthmian South East leaders Hastings this Saturday, has moved to strengthen his squad.

Sittingbourne defender Lex Allan in action against Chichester Picture: Ken Medwyn

Coming into the club are winger Tyler Anderson from Erith & Belvedere, and teenage midfielder Ethan Smith, who has joined on a month’s loan from Gillingham.

“Tyler’s a quick winger, very direct and different to the more technical wingers we’ve got who like to come inside and join in the play more,” said Blackburn.

“He’s very pacy, he goes past people and gets deliveries in the box. We have struggled for creativity at times this season and he will hopefully help with that.

"With Ethan, it’s one where Gillingham want him to come out and get games.

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"He’s an energetic central midfielder and we’ve got him for a month.”

Blackburn, who hopes to welcome back midfielder Harry Miller, is looking for a big improvement against Hastings after the 1-0 home defeat by Chichester last weekend left him bored.

Sittingbourne lost 1-0 at home to Chichester on Saturday Picture: Ken Medwyn

He apologised to supporters for the performance which leaves Sittingbourne six points off the play-off places in 10th.

“We just didn’t get going, we were poor all over,” said Blackburn.

“We couldn’t combine any sort of patterns of play, our decision-making was poor, it was very disappointing.

"There’s been a lot of changes in the last few weeks, we had quite a young starting line-up and we probably lacked a bit of leadership and direction on the pitch, someone to put their foot on the ball and settle us down.

"It was the most boring, drab performance I’ve had to sit through and I can only apologise to the fans.

“We’ll need to do better against Hastings but it’s been such a weird season, it wouldn’t surprise me if we got absolutely battered and ended up winning 1-0.

Sittingbourne take on league leaders Hastings this weekend Picture: Ken Medwyn

“They’re a very good side, from back to front.

“They don’t concede many goals, Craig Stone is like a manager and a coach on the pitch, the organisation comes from him and they’ve got good players all over.

“It’s going to take a monumental effort to get something out of it but our lads will be up for it and we’ve got nothing to lose.

“I’m sure Hastings will bring a lot of fans, our fans are loud, so it should be a really good atmosphere.”

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