Southend United's head of football, John Still, is taking nothing for granted in the upcoming FA Trophy tie against Sittingbourne. Still has known Sittingbourne's manager, Ryan Maxwell, since Maxwell was a schoolboy. The two have a connection that dates back to when Maxwell was a young player, and Still would often watch him play in local games. Maxwell even had a brief stint at Dagenham in 2005, when Still was the manager. Still recalls that Maxwell was a talented player from a young age, with many clubs showing interest in him. As the years went by, Still lost track of Maxwell's career, but he has since learned about his successes at Walthamstow and Braintree. Maxwell is now leading Sittingbourne on a 27-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Still believes that managers need to find the right job, and it seems that Maxwell has found his ideal match at Sittingbourne. Southend United, currently 11th in the National League, are favorites to win the match, but Still is cautious, knowing that cup competitions can be unpredictable. He cites examples of past upsets, such as Tamworth's 0-0 draw against Tottenham in the FA Cup. Still's experience has taught him to take nothing for granted, and he expects a tough match against Sittingbourne. The quarter-finals are at stake, and Southend United will need to be at their best to secure a win. John Still's knowledge of Ryan Maxwell's past will undoubtedly be useful in preparing for the match. Southend United's players will need to be focused and ready for the challenge ahead. The match is scheduled to take place at Roots Hall this Saturday at 3pm.