I think they've done us all very, very proud, says Whitstable Town chairman Gary Johnson

A crowd of 742 flocked to The Belmont to watch the Ryman League’s sole survivors take on Skrill (Conference) 
South Ebbsfleet United in the Second Round.
 

Nicky Southall’s side opened the scoring after nineteen minutes when midfielder Dan Keyte scored 
his first goal for the club.

But Ebbsfleet United – in fourth-place in the Skrill (Conference) South – restored parity when winger 
Anthony Cook scored in the 44th minute.

Both keeper’s excelled during the second half – Whitstable keeper Luke Watkins, 24, 
pulled off the save of the season to deny Cook curling a shot into the top far corner, 
before the keeper made another stunning save to deny Cook again, this time from a 
free-kick.

But Whitstable Town’s epic run was ended in a cruel manner when Michael Thalassitis 
whipped in a cross from the right flank which sailed over Watkins and dropped into the 
top far corner, just four seconds into time added on at the end of the game when a replay 
at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday was on the cards.

“Obviously absolutely gutted that we didn’t get a replay,” said Mr Johnson, a former referee.

“I thought we played really, really well. I’m immensely proud for the boys. We matched 
them pound-for-pound. Well, my pound against the Kuwait pound is clearly different 
in terms of players!

“I think we did the Ryman League – as the last surviving team – absolutely proud and 
I’m absolutely gutted at the end of the game as Nicky is and the management as are all 
the players. I thought they did superbly well.”

Watkins – son of former Sheppey United boss Mal Watkins – was awarded the sponsors’ 
man-of-the-match award.

The chairman added: “As for Luke Watkins, I thought Luke was a worthy man-of-the-match – 
but I think there were eleven players’ out there that could have got man-of-the-match. 
I thought we had an exceptional team display.

“Ebbsfleet, quite understandably, rightly won. Yes, they were 60 places above us, they 
should have caned us shouldn’t they? 

“But we showed them the depth of quality that we’ve got with three under 21 players in 
the team as well.

“I’m very clearly disappointed but not disappointed with the players. They played superbly.  
I think they’ve done us all very, very proud indeed.”

The club have banked £17,450 in prize money from The Football Association 
as well as the income from eight games in The FA Trophy, although only three of them were played at 
Belmont Road.
 

Mr Johnson said: “Folk in football circles, including the press often talk about the amount of winnings 
that are racked up through success in FA competitions.
 

“Let me tell you that the winnings to date help sustain the club through the season and simply pay 
the bills a little quicker.

 
“We certainly haven’t been able to do more than that as yet – in short it keeps us ticking along.”

 
Four of their next five games are at home, starting with Merstham on Tuesday, followed by Redhill 
on Saturday, before the eagerly-awaited trip to bitter rivals Herne Bay on Boxing Day.

The club then play two Kent derbies at home, against Hythe Town (28 December) and 
Sittingbourne on New Years’ Day.

The Whitstable Town chairman admits supporters’ may have trouble finding the cash and the 
time to follow the club during the vital part of the football season.
 

He said: “The Christmas schedule like the remainder of December fixtures I know may 
present fans with difficulties both financially and additional times when families are of 
course more demanding, so your very support in following the team home and away 
is really appreciated by me, the management and of course the players whom you lift 
with your vocal support and encouragement.”
 

Whitstable Town remain in eighteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South 
table with 23 points from 18 games.

The Oystermen are four points clear of the bottom three and manager Southall wants 
to claim three points against Merstham on Tuesday to begin their climb up the table.
 

Merstham are one place above the Oystermen and Hayden Bird’s side came away from 
Ramsgate with a point following a 1-1 draw at Southwood Stadium.

 
“We’ve got to now get these points on the board because we’ve got to play catch up 
now in the league,” said Southall.

 
“Between now and Christmas we’ve got some good games to look forward to and some 
good derbies to look forward to over the Christmas period so it’s a good time to be a 
fan of Whitstable Town and be a good time to be a player.”
 

Southall, who said their epic FA Trophy run has put Whitstable Town firmly on the map, 
has taken plenty of positives from their experience.

 
 He said: “It’s reinvigorated us. It’s shown us that it’s pulled us all together. We’re a 
group of people, a squad and it’s given a springboard towards our league campaign. 
That’s what we’ve got to look forward to.”
 

Whitstable Town can gain revenge on Ebbsfleet United as the two Kent clubs meet again 
in the Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com Semi-Finals on 18 February.

The winners will meet Bromley, Dartford or Dover Athletic in the Final, which this year 
will be played at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium to mark The Kent Football Association’s
125th anniversary.
 

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

Whitstable Town  v  Merstham
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 17th December 2013
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP