Excitement is building for Sittingbourne as they prepare for a televised FA Cup clash.

The Brickies’ second qualifying round tie at Lordswood on Saturday (12.30pm) has been selected for live coverage on the BBC’s red button service.

“It’s great,” said manager Ryan Maxwell, whose Isthmian South East high-fliers are hoping to avoid an upset against the Southern Counties East outfit.

“It’s a brilliant thing for the club and it’s not often you’ll get an opportunity like that. It’s a real gift.

“I’m trying to get everyone to enjoy it as much as they can but, of course, they’re apprehensive and nervous at the same time.

“We’ve actually got a barber amongst us, Alex Georgiou, so the boys are booking him out!

“I’m delighted for Lordswood, too.

“For a Step 5 club to be on TV in the FA Cup, I think it’s absolutely fantastic.

“It’s a brilliant thing for Kent, great exposure for both leagues and let’s hope we put on a great show.”

Sittingbourne got wind of potential TV coverage before their first qualifying round replay at Isthmian Premier Dover on Tuesday last week.

Maxwell teased a possible reward in his team-talk but stopped short of giving the game away.

The Brickies won 1-0 with an early goal from Troy Howard.

“We had an email before the replay, so I knew it was in the pipeline,” said Maxwell.

“I told the players there’ll be a reward at the end of this game if you win, let’s just say it’ll be a very good thing for all of you, and that’s where I left it.

“I didn’t want to distract them too much by saying, ‘By the way, if you win, you’re on TV’.

“That’s too much with no time to process it, and it wasn’t a game where they could afford to be distracted.

“The odds were stacked against us away on a Tuesday night to a team who are doing well in the league above.

“It was a massive result, a massive performance and full credit to everybody. The fans sang their hearts out.”

Sittingbourne, as the higher-league team, are favourites on paper to beat Lordswood.

But the Medway side, managed by ex-Gillingham, Bolton and Nottingham Forest midfielder Nicky Southall, are enjoying a fine season themselves.

Indeed, they’ve made history by reaching the second qualifying round stage for the first time.

Maxwell said: “I certainly have respect for them, that’s for sure.

“We played them in pre-season and I knew they were going to be a good side in their league.

“We are under no illusions, we’re expecting an extremely tough game.

“The league is the most important thing but the FA Cup is a nice distraction.

“It’s big for the club, big for the fans, big for the town, and I understand that.

“The cameras are there but I won’t be changing anything I do and I hope the players stay focused and do what they’re here to do and what they’ve been doing so far.

“It’s a huge game to be playing on TV, it’s a rarity, but I’d like to think I’ve got boys with thick enough skin to handle that. It’s something that’s unique and exciting, I get all that, but we have a job to do.”

Sittingbourne beat Sutton Commons Rovers 2-0 in the FA Trophy first qualifying round on Saturday.

Codey Cosgrave broke the deadlock early in the second half and Richie Hammill added an injury-time penalty.

The Brickies will host Kingstonian in the next round on September 21.

“We weren’t at our best we were still good,” said Maxwell.

“We should have come in certainly one goal up but we didn’t and we had to stay focused.

“Thankfully we scored pretty early in the second half and then we took real control again.”

Defender Jack Steventon enjoyed an impressive debut after signing from Hythe Town.

Maxwell added: “Jack knows the level well, he’s a very good player.

“He’s played against us a few times and has always played well.

“He plays centre-half, centre-midfield, he’s very good in the air, he’s a player that does exactly what it says on the tin.

“He’s got a great attitude, character, all the things we’re looking for in signings, and he fitted in seamlessly on Saturday.

“He had a brilliant debut and I’m very pleased to get Jack in.”

Sittingbourne thumped Phoenix Sports 4-0 in the league last night thanks to goals from Ryan Kingsford, Mitchell May, Henry Sinai and Liam Smith.