Guernsey is a lovely place to go to this time of year, says Whitstable Town boss Nicky Southall

WHITSTABLE TOWN boss Nicky Southall says he wants his side to do a professional job in Guernsey on Saturday.


The Oystermen were dumped out of The FA Cup in the Preliminary Round by lower league opposition on Tuesday night and Southall wants a positive reaction from his men.

They held Tunbridge Wells to a goal-less draw at Culverden Stadium last Saturday, but goals from Joe Fuller (penalty) and Andy Boyle ensured Martin Larkin’s men will travel to Ryman League Division One South strugglers Eastbourne Town in the next round on 14 September.

The fall-out from going out at the first hurdle has already been noticed because Southall has released central defender Gary Cook and much-travelled striker Mo Takaloo.

Whitstable Town fly to Guernsey sitting in eighteenth-place in the league table, with one win and three draws from their opening six league games.

Their hosts are two places higher with seven points from their first six league games at this level of football, after securing back-to-back promotions in the Combined Counties League.

“Listen, it’s different,” said Southall.  “Something that players at this level aren’t used to. It’s something I’m used to in my career staying overnight in hotels and flying to different parts of the country and abroad for teams.

“It’s a nice little break. It can add to your advantage in terms of a bit of bonding with a group of players and try and do things as professionally as you can and try and go and do a job in Guernsey.

“It’s a lovely place to go to this time of year. I’m pleased to be playing them at this time of the year because I wouldn’t like to go in the deepest, darkest months of winter.

“They’ve struggled of late at home but they beat Crawley Down Gatwick in the FA Cup at the weekend so they’re no mugs by any stretch.

“They’ve come up and are one of the favourites and we’ve got to go there and show what we’re all about and hopefully show a bit of class.”

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Guernsey  v  Whitstable Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 7^th September 2013
Kick Off 1:00pm
at Footes Lane Stadium, St Peter Port, Guernsey