The fat lady has not started singing, says Munday

Friday 19th March 2010

UNDER PRESSURE Whitstable Town manager Mark Munday looked on in horror as midweek wins for both Ashford Town and Eastbourne Town sent his side crashing back to the foot of the Ryman League Division One South table, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Oystermen are staring relegation back into the Kent League in the face - but home wins over Horsham YMCA on Saturday and Ramsgate next Tuesday will appease the situation as the battle for survival looks destined to go right to the wire.

“Ashford and Eastbourne both won so that gives them a little bit of impetus and takes them above us but we’ve got to concentrate on what we’re doing and if we can get the results required it will be a close nit affair,” Munday told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It’s going to be tight but we’ve got to concentrate on what we’re doing and try and grind out some results to make life a little bit easier for ourselves.

“We had a little spell when we’ve done alright and pulled away but we’ve been dragged back into it.

“It’s not over, the fat lady hasn’t started singing yet and we’ll be doing what ever we can to make sure we don’t stay in the situation.”

With 11 league games left to play, Whitstable have collected 8 wins and 2 draws in what has been a really miserable campaign for the club.

“If we get to the mid 40’s (points wise), we’ll be ok,” added Munday, who is suffering in his first season as a football manager, after a successful playing career with the likes of Gravesend & Norfhfleet and Margate.

“We’re probably looking at another five or six wins I would imagine and 18 points - If we can get 20 points that will be great - but we have to take one game at a time.

“We’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing and keep getting points on the board. One thing we have got on Walton Casuals and Eastbourne are three games-in-hand but they will start running out if we don’t pick up points and they do so it’s important that we keep the scoreboard ticking over.”

Looking forward to Saturday’s game against Horsham YMCA, Munday said: “We’ll be looking to be positive against Horsham. Sides sitting midway are easier games these days and we have to be on our mettle and don’t give them nothing.”

Jim Ward brings his Ramsgate side to Belmont Road next Tuesday and picking up three points is more important than Kentish bragging rights.

“Ramsgate aren’t on the best of runs, but there will be added spice because it’s a local derby,” said Munday.

“It’s a local derby, that will be a good one for the spectator or for the neutral to see a full blooded game of football.

“No-one wants to lose a bit of the bragging rights. I know Jim and he knows me and he hates losing to people he knows. We will have to be on the mettle as they will go all out to win the game as we do.

“We’re on a run where we need points and points quickly and they’re on a bit of a run when they need to pick up points because they’ve dropped after a very good run before Christmas.

“It will be a good game, both games are winnable but it’s how we approach the games and conduct ourselves and what tempo we have and how mean we are in defence.

“I’ve said all along, if we get anywhere near a clean sheet we generally tend to win games and that’s what we’ve got to believe in and our performance on Tuesday dictates this season is not dead and buried by a long way.”

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

Whitstable Town v Horsham YMCA

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 20th March 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At The Belmont Ground, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP