Whitstable Town tell under-pressure Munday to start picking up points

Monday 23rd November 2009

UNDER PRESSURE Whitstable Town manager Mark Munday has been told by his club to start picking up points - starting with Tuesday’s home game against fellow strugglers Eastbourne Town, writes Stephen McCartney.

Includes previews with Tony Burman (Dartford) and Tonbridge Angels' boss Tommy Warrilow.

The struggling Oystermen remain rooted to the foot of the Ryman League Division One South table as Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Horsham YMCA means that Munday’s side have picked up just one point from their last twelve games.

Whitstable’s bleak form means the club have picked up only seven points from 15 league outings.

A club statement said: “With a measly eight goals so far this season Whitstable will be looking forward to scoring some goals at Belmont this Tuesday when they face Eastbourne Town.

“Manager Mark Munday will be looking for more than just goals; its points that are desperately needed to end his sides poor run of form to take them off the bottom of the table before Christmas and start the New Year on the up.

“Losing out at the weekend to an eighteenth minute goal to fellow strugglers Horsham YM Munday had identified the run of games in November and early December as ones where he could take points off those around his side.

“The upward trend needs to start now with two games inside five days against fellow strugglers if Whitstable are to finish the season still in the Ryman League.”

DARTFORD will stretch their lead at the top of the Ryman Premier League table to eight points, with a victory over 13th placed side Tooting & Mitcham United at Princes Park tomorrow.

The Darts have been knocked out of both the FA Cup (Chelmsford City) and FA Carlsberg Trophy (Dover Athletic) by two Blue Square South clubs this season, and manager Tony Burman wants his unbeaten league leaders go pick up three more points to ensure the club are playing in that division next season.

“This is the most important game for us now,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after his side lost a five-goal thriller at Crabble at the weekend.

Adam Flanagan and Adam Burchell can both return following suspension.

“We’ll be up to full strength, other than Elliott Bradbrook. We now concentrate on trying to get three points on Tuesday night - and three points (at home to AFC Hornchurch) on Saturday.

“We’ve had a good chat with the players regarding what teams want to do against us because we’re unbeaten and they’re going to give that extra bit of effort and we’re up for that sort of fight.”

Burman knows his side must continue their excellent league form as teams like Hastings United are not too far behind.

“Anyone can catch us, if we don’t perform,” warned Burman. “They’ve (Hastings) done fantastically well and all credit to them. They’ve got a good bunch of players down there, who live locally and Tony (Dolby) is working hard and doing his best.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says Scott Gooding is expected to start Tuesday night’s game at Canvey Island on the bench.

The central defender came off the substitutes bench after 62 minutes of yesterday’s disappointing FA Carlsberg Trophy exit at Blue Square South side Welling United.

But Warrilow revealed the former Fisher Athletic defender will not start the game at Canvey Island, despite both sides being in the play-off’s.

“He got the all-clear on Wednesday,” Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk, following the 3-2 defeat at Park View Road.

“I always wanted to introduce him on Saturday so we bled him in. He’s got no reactions so hopefully Scotty can build on that.

“Whether he starts on Tuesday is another thing, it’s another big ask. We’ll have (fellow defender) Liam Harwood back, who was Trophy tied, so we’re getting the bodies back.”

Warrilow knows what to expect on Canvey Island, adding, “We know what it’s going to be like up there on a Tuesday night, a gale force wind blowing down the pitch. It’s a case of a bit of character and bouncing back with a result.”

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