We're up for the challenge, insists Seager - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Highflying Whitstable Town go into Saturday’s FA Cup first qualifying round tie against Croydon Athletic as underdogs, but boss Marc Seager is plotting an upset, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Oystermen climbed to the top of the Kent League table on Wednesday night, winning the top-of-the-table clash at Faversham Town, courtesy of Sam Prett scoring the only goal of the game.

But Seager, who helped Deal Town to lift the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium in 2000, hopes his solid back-line will see them through against their Ryman League Division One South opponents.

“It doesn’t matter what level of football you play, to keep six clean sheets from seven games is fantastic,” Seager said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We didn’t play particularly well last night but it was a workmanlike performance. We would have dropped points in games like that last season and I’m absolutely over the moon.”

With a 100% record from their first four Kent League games, Seager’s men go into their cup tie against Croydon Athletic in confident mood, and hoping their visitors from Surrey slip up on the banana skin.

“It’s going to be a tough game for us,” Seager said. “I’ve watched them a couple of times, they’re a good side, but we’re going into the game as underdogs.

“We’re at home and with a good crowd behind us hopefully we can put on a good performance and get into the next round.”

But Seager insists his two centre backs Jackson Ohakam, whose on loan from Gravesend & Northfleet, and Michael Adcock are relishing the challenge put to them by big target man Wade Falana.

Falana is no stranger to the Garden of England having helped Bromley and Tonbridge Angels secure play-off final victories in the last two years, and he will cause problems in the air.

“Croydon are a good side,” Seager said. “They’ve got Gareth Graham, whose got seven goals from midfield this year.

“Charley Side up front, I played with him for a couple of games at Welling and Wade Falana has been around this level of football for many years and he will be a threat for us.

“But I think we’ve got the centre halves who can cope with Wade Falana.

“They are young, will they get intimidated by him? But my players relish the challenge playing against teams and players from a higher level.

“It will be a good test for us to see how far we’ve come as a side. Like I say, time will tell, come quarter to five, if we’ve got a good result, we’re not a bad side.”

But with a big squad at his disposal, there will be a few disappointed faces when he names his team.

“We’ve got a strong squad, obviously there will be disappointed people but hopefully as a manager you try to pick the right side to do the job for us.

“It’s the FA Cup, a special competition. I’ve always enjoyed playing in it and hopefully the players feel the same.

“We are the underdogs, this is what makes this completion so special. All we can do is to try and give their all and if we can have that little bit of luck as well, then who knows?”

But welcoming a Ryman League side at the Belmont, only whets the appetite to do that every week from next August.

“It’s nice for us as a club to be top of the table,” said Seager. “Our ground passed the grading last year. Its just a case of me and the players doing our job and get ourselves up there.

“If we did get promoted we can hold our own. Saturday is a good test to see how far we have come, if we have come anywhere at all.

“It’s a nice position to be in. But if you have good runs in cups you can be points behind with games in hand.

“But teams are dropping points around us and I’m quite happy about that. But nothings ever won in September, it’s a long way to go, but being top is a great confidence boost for everyone at the club.

“But being top after four games doesn’t mean anything, but top after 34 games I’ll be happy!”

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