It's imperative that we win at Chipstead, says Munday

Monday 07th December 2009

WHITSTABLE TOWN boss Mark Munday has challenged his side to keep a clean sheet in tomorrow’s must-win relegation scrap at Chipstead, writes Stephen McCartney.

A victory at the modest High Road ground will see the Oystermen climb above Eastbourne Town into 19th place in the Ryman League Division One South table - and more importantly there will be daylight of six points above the basement side.

But a win for Chipstead will see Whitstable slump back into the relegation zone and undo some recent good work.

Wins over fellow strugglers, Eastbourne Town and Ashford Town (who will drop to bottom place if Whitstable draw or lose tomorrow) lifted morale at Belmont Road, although a 4-2 defeat at Dulwich Hamlet at the weekend brought a reality check.

“The side that won the game, I think deserved to win the game if I’m bluntly honest,” Munday told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“In the second half they just had a little bit better movement and a little bit passing quality at the right times but the first half was even. We have as good as we got after going ahead.

“We got it back to 2-2 at half-time and it was end-to-end stuff and two sides having a go at each other, which was good to see.

“But in the end they had a little bit more quality and a little bit more movement and kept the ball a little bit better and in the right areas and they punished us early on and late on.

“Four-two flattered them a little bit but on reflection, on their second half performance, they deserved to win the game.”

Munday was pleased that striker Dave Cory was rewarded for his hard work by scoring his second goal of the season.

“What you want your forwards to do is to work hard and cause defenders problems and ultimately get your goals,” said Munday.

“Dave’s been doing everything apart from scoring recently so it was nice for him to get a header at the far post. It was a good boost for him and hopefully he can build on that.”

Munday wants nothing more than to grab maximum points at Chipstead tomorrow night - one of those games the Kent side must win to maintain their Ryman League status.

“Very much so, it’s like the Ashford scenario to be honest with you,” explained Munday. “We’ll go there fully prepared, we know the fixture has been there for a while, so we’re targeting certain games and hopefully getting the maximum points out of it.

“Tomorrow is one of those games, we’re going to be positive. We’re looking to come away with a positive result.

“As long as people have prepared themselves right and they’re prepared to work hard and win their personal battles, if we do as we did against Ashford and Eastbourne and previous games to that, and we give as much effort as we did on Saturday, then hopefully it will turn out (well).

“In these sort of games it’s who wants it most and who converts their chances. It’s imperative to keep a clean sheet. If you keep a clean sheet and you’re tight at the back and don’t concede many goals, if you keep yourself in the game, the longer the game goes on, the more opportunity you’re going to have.

“A clean sheet would be very pleasing tomorrow and a performance exactly that we’ve been doing over the last four or five weeks would suffice very nicely.

“Chipstead will be going to be up for the game, I would imagine, so hopefully it will be a good game and hopefully a positive result for us.”

Neighbouring Margate have this week shaken up their playing squad, with former Ashford Town goalkeeper, Jake Whincup, leaving Hartsdown Park.

Joe Taylor has been made available to other clubs on loan and Jack Haverson’s name has also been circulated for a possible loan deal but has also been placed on the transfer list by Margate boss Mark Butler.

Munday has signed Kieran Morris on a one-month loan deal from Margate and will be drafted into the middle of the park against Chipstead.

“He was injured at the start of the year and obviously has played a couple of games since he’s come back,” explained Margate resident Munday.

“Mark wants him to stay there but he doesn’t figure in his plans at the moment but he wants minutes in a decent level of football.

“We work very closely with Ken (Tomlinson, the secretary) at Margate and I’ve spoken to Mark a few times and if we can help them out, i.e players getting regular football at a decent level then they will help us out.

“The players their shifting out are used to performing at a higher level, so that should suit us both to the ground and be a handy time for both of us.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

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

Chipstead v Whitstable Town

Ryman League Division One South

Tuesday 8th December 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At The High Road, Chipstead, Surrey CR5 3SF