Whitstable Town FC

Canvey Island 0 v Whitstable Town 0: With both sides having chances throughout the match, which despite the nil-nil scoreline was played at a high tempo with some good football and testing challenges going in from both side. Manager Marc Seager was upbeat about his young side performance.

“You could say that I am much happier with today’s performance, the lads did what we asked of them, we defended well against a very good Ryman Premiere side with quality all over the pitch. Defensively we were excellent today; I went with three at the back, James Campbell, Paul Ainsworth and Liam Quinn were immense in front of keeper Kevin Fewell and a player I have always felt would do well in centre midfield, young Tom Parker had a great game.

Parker needed to lose some weight, get a bit sharper and although he was fit last year, his training was to run a marathon and it cost him a yard or two of pace during games. Today he was quicker more decisive and played some great ball out of defence; he did a great job sat in front of the midfield. But then the entire team did well so I could go on about all the players.

There are still one or two things were need to work on; but overall we are on course for our first league game a week on Saturday. There has been some talk that the lads have had some very tough games but it’s been done constructively so that they are ready for the months ahead, playing in the Ryman is not a walk in the park. Look; the way I see if I am to get a good look at what the players already at the club, plus the new lads we have brought in can do I need to see them pushed hard, how they will react under pressure.

Believe me playing Dartford, Maidstone, Margate then today’s side Canvey Island in the space of what ten days or so, that’s pressure; and we have seen the lads are improving with each and every game. The sole focus is on being prepared for the first away game to Chipstead, then moving on from there. Mark my words we need to be ready from the first day of the season and we will.” WTFC ©