It’s a challenging start for Sittingbourne as the Isthmian South East campaign gets under way - but one returning boss Nick Davis can’t wait for.

Brickies’ pre-season concluded on Friday against Margate with a 2-1 defeat - their first loss of the summer - and they open their league campaign at much-fancied Whitehawk this Saturday.

Following that away game, they host another team that should be among the frontrunners when Ramsgate come to town on Tuesday.

Davis said: “It has been a good pre-season, six wins and one defeat. For a new team that has come together as quickly as it has, it’s been a decent one.

“Whitehawk have shown their intentions with some of the players they have signed and Ramsgate, obviously, went very close last year. They will be strong and in and amongst it, I would have thought.

“We have got two of them up first but I am looking forward to it.

"We have to play them at some point, so why not now?”

Whitehawk played an FA Cup replay against K Sports last night (Wednesday) which gave Davis a chance to have a look at their weekend opponents. Whitehawk lost the match 3-2 after extra-time.

While the Hawks might challenge at the top, Davis is guarded about putting too much pressure on his team. The Brickies finished 10th last term, 14 points adrift of the play-offs.

He has been busy recruiting in the summer, with some notable additions such as striker Harry Harding, formerly of Faversham.

Harding scored from the penalty spot in a 2-1 success against Isthmian Premier Herne Bay last Tuesday. Jerry Peumo, meanwhile, netted in the loss at home to Margate.

“We have to see how the league pans out,” said Davis.

“We have got a very tough start, against two of the so-called favourites to be up there, but I think we will be a match for anyone.

“It is a strong league, even though we have lost some stronger teams.

"In general, I think it is going to be stronger across the board with the other Kent teams who have come into it, who knows?

“Fifteen of the teams in the league will probably think they have got half a chance. You get off to a good start and get some consistency and you never know. We have tough games early on, but that’s good.

“We are in a pretty good place. Four or five were missing on Friday and it was more about precaution for three of them, another was unavailable and one was on holiday.

“It was pointless risking those with knocks and so they can be ready for this coming Saturday.

"I can’t wait for the season to start.”