I still beleive we should have more points than we currently have, says Nicky Southall

The Oystermen are in fifteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table going into the August Bank Holiday programme.

Southall’s side have collected five points from their opening four league games in the shape of one win and two draws.

“The season’s been good to be fair, a little bit frustrating,” said Southall.

“I still believe we should have more points than we currently have, but you can’t be greedy.

“The lads have worked terrifically hard in pre-season and working hard and coming back early and we’re showing our fruits of our labour, especially late on in games, we’re looking strong and fit.”

Whitstable Town will travel to Woodstock Park to become Sittingbourne’s first league opponents at Broadoak Road on Saturday.

Sittingbourne played their opening two home league games in Whitstable as Woodstock’s facilities were brought up to Ryman League standard.

Sittingbourne go into the game sitting at the foot of the table, having lost all of their first four games.

But Southall said: “We’re expecting a tough game.  Sittingbourne are looking for their first points and they’ll be looking at us trying to get points off us.

“We know it’s their first game at their new stadium so they’re going to have a few dignitaries there to open the stadium.

“We have to be on our guard and we can’t take our eyes of the ball and we really have to cement our form into that game and try to capitalise on Sittingbourne at the moment. It may be a good time to play them.”

Whitstable Town then welcome bitter-rivals Herne Bay to The Belmont on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 August (3pm).

Herne Bay are under new management in the shape of San Denly, 29, and they too have collected five points going into the weekend.

Southall said: “Herne Bay is a local derby, everyone talks about it. It’s the first thing the boys were talking about after the game last night.

“We can’t get too carried away. We’ve got the game against Sittingbourne first, a tough game against Sittingbourne.

“It will be good for the fans and it’s good for the local area and we know we’re going to be in for a tough game.

“Herne Bay derbies are always tough – we played them in pre-season and it was a closely matched game and we came out on top.

“We know it’s going to be blood and thunder and we have to step up and man up in those type of games and we saw last night against Hythe Town we are men all of a sudden unlike shrinking violets like we were last season.”

Whitstable Town came away from Reachfields Stadium with a 1-1 draw against Hythe Town, who are currently below Crawley Down Gatwick and relegated Hastings United in the league table.

When asked whether he was happy with his side’s start to the new season, Southall said: “As happy as you can be. Things are progressing nicely. You can’t get too far ahead of yourself, you can get bit on the backside quite quickly so we’re looking tor trying to get some points over the Bank Holiday period to try and kick on and really climb that league. 

“Everyone beats everyone, like it was last season.  We have to be on our guard, especially the Sittingbourne game.”

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

Sittingbourne  v  Whitstable Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 24^th August 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Woodstock Park, Broadoak Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8AG