Whitehouse stunning save is up there with Banks' Pele save, claims Binks - EXCLUSIVE

PROUD Chatham Town manager Steve Binks admitted completing the double over title-chasing Dover Athletic and to become the ONLY side to beat Andy Hessenthaler’s stars in the Ryman League this season is “probably up there with the best” results during his managerial career, writes Stephen McCartney.

And Binks compared heroic goalkeeper John Whitehouse to England legend Gordon Banks, having pulled off one of the best save that he has EVER SEEN in his life, when the highly-rated stopper denied James Dryden from point-blank range to maintain Chatham’s 2-1 lead.

“John Whitehouse pulled off some absolutely stunning saves,” Binks said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today.

“On one, which I said “how did he pull that out!” - low bottom corner, with pace on it - he’s reactions were brilliant!

“It was one of the best saves that I’ve seen in all my life in football - on par with Banks saving from Pele!”

The heroic Whitehouse was released from hospital, with six stitches in a neck wound, at half past nine last night.

He was put on antibiotics having suffered from concussion and will miss Tuesday’s trip to Margate with a place in the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Cup up for grabs.

On the extent of Whitehouse’s injury, Binks said this morning: “A nasty cut down his neck and face, underneath his chin in his neck - quite a deep cut. He was a bit concussed for a while. He was down for nine minutes.”

Whitehouse was replaced by eastern European goalkeeper Miroslav Oravec, and Binks added: “He made two or three really crucial saves. It’s hard for a goalkeeper to come on and he did superb.”

Having stolen victory in the away game back in October, under the leadership of Phil Miles, courtesy of a smash and grab raid - and a Darren Smith winner - Binks felt his side were worthy of their victory in front of Chatham’s largest crowd for 17 months.

“We beat them because I think we’re their bogey side,” Binks confessed. “We had a little bit of luck on our side. We defended as a team absolutely magnificently.”

“On top of that we played some good football, with good confidence and took our chances well.”

“Justin Ascheri and Darren Smith had two one-on-ones with the keeper, which we scored from and in previous games we haven’t taken our chances and that’s the difference between winning and losing.”

Chatham took an early lead through Craig Govey’s header, following Shane Suter’s cross but after Hessenthaler and Craig Cloke hit the woodwork, Cloke headed Dover level early in the second half.

But Ascheri and Smith took their chances to seal a 3-1 victory in front of a crowd of 515 at Maidstone Road.

Without the suspended defensive pairing of Rob Goodger and Dan Larkin, Steve Best, 34, slotted into the heart of the defence to partner debutant James Smith, 20.

“James Smith made his debut and won absolutely everything in the air,” beamed Binks.

“When he was beaten Besty swept up behind him on four or five occasions and snuffed out the danger.  Besty was many people’s man-of-the-match, mine included.

“He was awesome, Steve Best. Not only on the pitch but in the dressing room, in the team-talk and I can’t sing his praises enough.

“I think James Smith learnt an awful lost beside him yesterday.”

Binks is proud to highlight the fact that the club are always willing to produce local, talented players.

“Nathan Ballin, whose 21, made his first start, having come on as a substitute at Dulwich Hamlet, where he scored the equaliser,” explained Binks.

“I’m absolutely delighted with his first start. He came off with cramp and my little Wayne Rooney, Justin Ascheri, came on and took his goal, the second goal, superbly.

“His pace got him there and showed great composure to chip the goalkeeper.

“In addition to that, Matt Rowe made his debut. We had two teenagers on the bench, Tom Staff and Sam Adgie and there’s two others involved on Tuesday night, who didn’t make the bench.”

Looking ahead to their trip to Hartsdown Park, Binks will introduce two new players, midfielder Richard Okehialian and midfielder/striker Louis Valencia.

“Richard is a really talented midfielder, comfortable on the ball and destined to play at a higher level - he’s been with our reserves for a while,” he revealed.

Definitely ruled out are Whitehouse (concussion), Best (work commitments) and Darren Smith (cup-tied).

Tom Davy may be rested, having played against Dover with a flu bug.

Suter and Matt Solly both finished yesterday’s game with dead legs but coming back into contention are Groombridge and Larkin, having completed their suspensions and Mark Brooks (work).

Binks, meanwhile, believes the Kent Senior Cup could be sitting in the trophy cabinet for the first time since 1919 - a long time ago.

He said: “We beat Folkestone comfortably in the previous round, who put out a reasonably strong side and a lot of our youngsters played in that game as well and if we perform like yesterday, we’ve got every chance.

“Margate beat us in the FA Cup (earlier in the season) and the 3-0 scoreline absolutely flattered
them.

“It would be great to win that to get to the semi-finals. A lot of premier sides have been knocked out. Margate are an experienced side and had a great win over Carshalton, a form side in the premier division.

“It’s within our capabilities, yes. I think some of the more senior teams don’t treat the Kent Senior Cup seriously.

“If we get to the final it will be a terrific boost for the club and we’re trying our best to get as far as we can.”

Finally, Binks insisted that the Dover game is there’s, despite a confusing end.

“The referee played nearly 12 minutes of stoppage time,” he said. “There was a nine minute stoppage for John Whitehouse.

“There was no way Dover would win that game. There was just seconds remaining when the floodlight’s flickered.

“The referee said there was a minute (of stoppage time) remaining.”

Visit club websites:

www.margate-fc.com

www.chathamtownfc.net

Margate v Chatham Town
Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final
Tuesday 22^nd January 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road, Margate, Kent CT9 5QZ