Stand up and be counted

Manager Keith Mcmahon is challenging his Whitstable side to show the great team spirit he believes they have within the squad. Mcmahon will be aiming for a response after their 7-2 derby demolition at Herne Bay when they welcome Ramsgate on New Year’s Day. The Oystermen were well beaten at Winch’s Field in front of a 1,119 crowd on Monday, despite an early goal by Kemo Darboe and a second-half consolation by Harry Goodger. Whitstable, who welcomed midfielder Luke Griffiths back from injury in the second half, then visit Faversham on Monday.

“We have a lot of games coming up and we are starting to get a couple back with the likes of Griffiths coming on,” said Mcmahon. “I think it (the Herne Bay match) showed some of them how far away they might be from where they need to be. But we will have to dust ourselves down and keep going.

“We will see where our team spirit is. As I’ve said before, I think we have got a decent team spirit but we need to show that. “Including this one, we have three local derbies in the space of the week - but we need to fight in these local derbies. That’s something I thought we didn’t do against Herne Bay.

“So that’s something we need to do, going forward to our next game.”

Canterbury City start 2022 away to Bearsted on Monday in Southern Counties East Premier Division. City haven’t played since December 18 with last Monday’s match at Deal postponed due to Covid. In Division 1, Faversham Strike Force’s match at Rochester was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Strike Force, who are 14th, are at home to Larkfield & New Hythe this Monday.