We deserve to be higher up in the division, says Whitstable Town joint-boss Jim Ward

Tuesday 30th December 2014

WHITSTABLE TOWN joint-manager Jim Ward says he has given his players’ a six-point target this week to gate-crash the play-off party at the end of the season.

The Oystermen are sitting in eleventh-place in the Ryman League Division One South table with 35 points from 27 games – nine points adrift of fifth-placed Whyteleafe, who won the Southern Counties East Football League title last season.

Whitstable claimed the local bragging rights over their bitter-rivals Herne Bay by beating them 4-1 at The Belmont on Boxing Day and Ward wants his side to carry on the momentum.

“Well, if you take the whole picture, the three games before, we played Merstham, Guernsey and South Park and we could have got something out of every single one of those games and we never,” said Ward.

“The guys were so disappointed that we lost all three games – as we were – we went back to the drawing board. We created so many chances in those games but we couldn’t put them away.”

Herne Bay took a fourth minute lead through Sam Hasler, but Whitstable Town went on to claim the points, thanks to two goals from Scott Heard and goals from Tom Loynes and Kane Rowland.

“Well, Herne Bay, unfortunately for them, were on the receiving end of us taking our chances,” reflected Ward.

“We played ever so well, no different than those three games. We were delighted with the effort and commitment and the finishes.”

Ward take his side to one of his old stomping grounds – Ramsgate – on New Years’ Day, before hosting another struggling team, Redhill, on Saturday.

The Rams are sitting in the bottom four with 24 points from 24 games, one place above the Lobsters, who have 22 points from 23 games.

These are the kind of games that Whitstable Town must win if they are to finish amongst the promotion pack.

“We deserve to be higher up in the division than what we are,” said Ward.

“We wouldn’t be going out to sign more players. We’re happy with what we’ve got. We’re a happy changing room, everything about it at the moment is positive.

“I asked the players before the Herne Bay game – can we get nine points out of these three games? Herne Bay, Ramsgate away and Redhill at home and that’s the target.

“The difficult one (Herne Bay) is out of the way, if you like, because they’re above us in the table. Then we go to Ramsgate, again that will be difficult, and Redhill at home on Saturday.

“We’re looking forward to seeing where we are at the end of the week.

“Both games will be very difficult – I understand that – but we think we can get something out of both those two games.”

When asked about returning to Southwood Stadium, Ward replied: “Me going back to Ramsgate on a personal level? Well, to be fair, you have to ask other people that, but to me, I just see it as another three points to be won.

“A lot of water has gone under the bridge since I left Ramsgate. I have a spot on the heart for them.

“But I’m the manager of Whitstable. I’ve had my stint at Ramsgate. I won thirteen trophies me and Danny (Ward) and you move on.

“It was them that decided they didn’t want me any more so you just move on.

Ward made his target for 2015 clear, by saying: “We’ve set the lads a target, a nine point target over three games and that’s the only way we can get in amongst things happening.

“If we had any thought of maybe challenging a little bit for that fifth spot, which is up for grabs, we have to get nine points from these three games.

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

Ramsgate v Whitstable Town
Ryman League Division One South
Thursday 1^st January 2015
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN