If we get the performances right the results will pick up, says Whitstable boss Justin Luchford

WHITSTABLE TOWN manager Justin Luchford says his side must show him what they are made off when they travel to play-off chasers Worthing on Saturday.



The Oystermen suffered an embarrassing 5-0 home defeat to second-placed Whitehawk last weekend, which forced the former Faversham Town and Horsham manager to issue an apology on the club website.

Worthing are presently in fifth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table with 54 points from 29 games, level on points with the team directly underneath them, Folkestone Invicta.

Bognor Regis Town, meanwhile, sit at the summit with 64 points from 28 games and five clubs, Whitehawk (58 points), Dulwich Hamlet (58), Maidstone United (56), Worthing (54) and Folkestone Invicta (54) are all battling it out for the four play-off berths.

Whitstable Town though sit just one place off the basement with 21 points from 28 games, although they are nine points clear of Whyteleafe, who occupy the sole relegation place.

Luchford said: “We’ve had a few words and hopefully we’ll turn the corner on Saturday and put in a good performance.

“We’re not expecting to get anything down there so it’s almost a freeby game where we can just go out and play and show what we’re made off.

“I mean if you look at last week and this week we knew it was going to be difficult against two teams in the top five, both looking for promotion.  They’ve got quite a substantial budget with regards to players and for sides like us at the moment it’s a tough ask.

“But in this league, in my opinion, apart from Bognor, Folkestone and Maidstone, I think anyone is beatable. I think they’re the only three teams who are a bit above everyone else so we’ll go there and hopefully with a couple of good training sessions and a bit more position and try and give them a good game.”

Luchford insists he has enough quality at Belmont Road to climb away from the relegation zone.

He said:  “I said a few weeks’ ago, I’ve got no interest in the league table.  We’ve got a good enough squad and good enough players to be nowhere where we are at the end of the season.

“I don’t even look at the league table.  I’ve got no interest in what happens elsewhere.  All I’m interested in is Whitstable’s performance.

“If we get the performances right, the results will pick up.  I’ve got too many good players for that not to happen.”

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

Worthing  v  Whitstable Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 25^th February 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Woodside Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7HQ