Upbeat Seager plotting cup upset

MARC SEAGER is upbeat going into tomorrow’s FA Carlsberg Trophy tie away to former two-time winners Kingstonian, writes Stephen McCartney.

Whitstable Town go into the preliminary round tie in buoyant mood as they climbed out of the Ryman League Division One South relegation zone with a morale boosting 2-1 win over Corinthian-Casuals.

Two goals from lone-striker Dave Cory ensured the Kent side leapfrogged over their opponents and travel to the unbeaten league leaders in good spirits.

“It was an absolutely fantastic performance from start to finish from the boys,” Seager told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“They’ve come in for a lot of criticism, internally from myself as we have underachieved, but the lads put in a good all round performance and we were worth the three points. The 2-1 scoreline flattered Corinthian-Casuals.”

Boss Seager heaped praise on Cory and admitted the win in Tolworth has lifted spirits within the camp.

“To be honest with you, Tuesday night was Dave’s best game for us since he joined the club,” said Seager.

“He played up front on his own, held the ball up for us and to be honest he’s disappointed not to come away with four goals. The two he got will give him a massive lift in confidence and produce even better performances.”

Seager has warned his opposite number, Alan Dowson and his table-topping side, that the Kent side are capable of producing a famous victory at Kingsmeadow.

“They’re one of the biggest sides in non-league football as in stature of a football club and they’ve got off to an absolutely fantastic start,” said Seager.

“I watched them beat Eastbourne on Tuesday night and they’re going to be difficult for us.

“In that stature comes the expectations of the football club and their fans expect them (to beat us) in the position they are in.

“For us, it’s a big game, with no fear and as no one expects us to do anything. We haven’t had a great start. We go there relaxed as underdogs and if we can put in a performance like Tuesday night, who knows, we could cause an upset on the day.

“In cup games league form goes straight out of the window. It’s all about what happens on the day.

“I get on well with the management team at Kingstonian and they will show us the utmost respect and we deserve that.

“We’re going to go up there and give it a right good go. We can go and beat anyone. We’ll build on Tuesday night’s performance, a confidence booster and it’s a cup game over ninety minutes. There’s no reason why we can’t come away with a victory.

“They’re a big club (with a) big budget and you expect them to have good players. I don’t worry about opposition players. I’ve done my homework, we’ll have a game plan and hopefully that will be (good enough to beat them).

“They’ve got good players all around the team but saying that, I’ve got good players in my changing room. We’ll give it a right good go - there’s no reason why we can’t pull off a cup shock.”

Midfielder Marcos Perona, meanwhile, is expected to be out of action for a couple of weeks as an old back injury has flared up again.

Kevin Fewell returns in goal to replace Dylan McViker, who impressed during his debut in midweek.

“Kevin is back tomorrow,” revealed Seager. “He missed Tuesday night as he was away with family. The young lad that came in for us had an absolutely fantastic debut and maybe in the past Kevin always had his own way, but he’s got someone pushing for his shirt, which can only be good for the club and Kevin to be honest.”

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

Kingstonian v Whitstable Town
FA Carlsberg Trophy Preliminary Round
Saturday 4^th October 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Kingsmeadow Stadium, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 3PB