We've banished all thoughts on relegation, says Whitstable chief - EXCLUSIVE

WHITSTABLE TOWN virtually secured their Ryman League status - winning on their travels for the first time since the end of September with victory at play-off hopefuls Dulwich Hamlet, writes Stephen McCartney.

Goals from in-form strikers Ian Pulman and David Cory and a free-kick from substitute Tommy Martin sealed the 3-2 win at Champion Hill.

It was Marc Seager’s side first win on their travels in league football since winning 2-1 at Walton Casuals back on the 29^th September 2007.

Since then the Oystermen have picked up only two points on their travels, at Corinthian-Casuals and champions-elect Dover Athletic, but today’s success was toasted by the chairman.

Dulwich Hamlet lost Shawn Beveney, 25, on the eve of the match to Ryman League Division One South rivals Kingstonian.

The Guyana international, capped 40 times for his country, scored 23 goals in 61 appearances for Hamlet, since arriving at Champion Hill in October 2006.

Whitstable Town climbed above local rivals Chatham Town into 16^th place in the table - 12 points clear off the drop zone.

“After the final whistle Marc kept the players on the pitch in a huddle and reminded them that he wanted to banish all thought of relegation from their minds and concentrate on a mid-table finish, which he now feels is a reality,” said a delighted Mr Rouse, when speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

He added: “It was an absolutely superb performance, professional from the word go.”

Despite losing former Dover Athletic defender Liam Quinn early on, in-form striker Pulman netted his ninth goal in as many games.

And the understanding that close friends Pulman and Cory have has certainly helped the club maintain it’s Ryman League status.

“Absolutely massive result,” beamed Mr Rouse. “Their committee were very disappointed after the game.

“They had suffered a blow before the game that their inspirational captain had signed for Kingstonian, after playing for Ghana, on the eve of the game.

“Nonetheless, let’s not take anything away from Whitstable’s performance. It was on par as the best of the season!”

The Whitstable chairman is delighted that signing the dynamic duo up front has paid dividends.

He said: “Once Marc got the whisper that he could get one of them - he signed Pulman first - there was a chance that Cory would be available.

“When Marc got the sniff of that, he knew they were great mates and their understanding and link up play together was absolutely first class.

“I’m absolutely delighted that Marc’s faith in his players have come good. Another one to be mentioned is Clint Gooding.

“When he joined the club Marc, enthusiastic was probably too light a word, unfortunately he was injured after one game.

“Clint’s worked his socks off to get fit, lost two stone in weight once he shook off his injury.

“It’s no coincidence that our upturn in form in the last couple of weeks has been due to the signing of Pulman and Cory but also the return to form of Clint Gooding.”

Next up is the visit of Cray Wanderers to the Belmont next Saturday, a side that’s third in the table and that extended their unbeaten run to 19 games, courtesy of their 1-0 win over fellow play-off hopefuls Metropolitan Police at Hayes Lane.

A goal from Tom Whitnall proved decisive but Mr Rouse believes his club can become the first side since Tooting & Mitcham, on the last day of October 2007, to beat them.

“It’s up to us to unsettle their apple cart if we can,” he said. “They’ve beaten us twice already this season.

“It will be a big ask, they’re a real quality side. For us to get anything out of the game we need to be at our best.”

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