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Whitstable's young guns dreaming of cup glory

WHITSTABLE TOWN manager Matt Toms was full of praise for his side after they battled against opposition three leagues above them, writes Tony Rouse.

The Go Travel Kent League side held Nationwide South outfit Maidenhead United to a goal-less draw at the Belmont, and are in Monday's third qualifying round draw, ahead of their trip to York Road for Tuesday's replay.

Toms said: "If you had asked me before the game would I have settled for 0-0 in the FA Cup against a Conference side, I would have bitten your hand off!"

"It's a credit to the club and the youth policy as we finished the game with four players who were in the under eighteen's side last year.

"We have come a long way in the last couple of years.  If you look at Cray Wanderers who were promoted last year, and remember we beat them twice and so far this season they are unbeaten in their new league, that says a lot about the quality of players we have brought to this football club."

Whitstable skipper Marc Seager commented before the game: "It is important to find out how far we have progressed as a football club.

"The pressure is on the visitors, Maidenhead United, but we have to be strong in every area on the pitch as they are a strong side, three leagues above us and rightly they will feel they should beat us.

"But, this is the FA Cup, and it's all about fairly tales, and why not about Whitstable this year."

The Belmont outfit will know who they could face in the third qualifying round - just two wins away from the first round proper - as the draw is made on Monday lunchtime.

www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk