Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
The great escape?
Player-manager Andy Drury is already making a difference at Whitstable with back-to-back wins keeping their late bid for Isthmian South East survival alive.
A 3-0 home win over Whitehawk last weekend, followed by a 1-0 victory against Chichester at the Belmont on Tuesday in front of a crowd of 265, have moved the basement boys within four points of safety with four games to play.
Recently-appointed Drury had targeted maximum points from the two fixtures and his team have delivered - after a wake-up call at training.
Drury, whose first match in charge was a 2-0 loss at promotion-chasing Haywards Heath, said: “We were okay at Haywards Heath, and could have nicked a point, but probably didn’t have enough time to set up how we wanted to play.
“We had a full week last week to prepare and we worked on our organisation, and we have now got a bit of belief.
“At training last week, I stopped it after 20 minutes because we were just flat. I went round and spoke to all the leaders in the changing room and everyone seemed to grow from there, really.
“We took that into Saturday and Tuesday as well.
“Sometimes, a little word is needed for people to just step up to the plate.”
Drury believes Whitstable’s recent upturn in fortunes has helped instil a real belief in the squad.
“We had three goals in 10 games and one win in 16 (before the weekend) so back-to-back wins and two clean sheets gives the boys a lot of confidence and belief,” the midfielder enthused.
“The spirit in there is magnificent.
“We will go again on Saturday and see if we can get a result at Corinthian.”
Against Whitehawk, the Oystermen’s goals came from midfielders Jack Hanson and Danny Walder, alongside striker Charlie Heatley’s effort, before Scott Doe was credited with the winner against Chichester in midweek.
The former Dover man’s header appeared to crash off the bar and then a Chichester player before going into the net but, nonetheless, the defender has made a difference at the back for Whitstable.
“Doey has come in and has settled in brilliantly,” Drury added. “He has been magnificent.
“Will Thomas has stepped up to the plate as well, along with the full-backs. Everyone is playing brilliantly.”
With Whitstable forced into a first-half change against Chichester Hanson going off after colliding with away keeper Kieran Magee before substitute Montrell Deslandes was taken off with an injury after the restart, Drury was left trying to juggle his managerial responsibilities alongside playing. He commented: “There was a lot going on. But I took the job, knowing that (might happen in certain games) to be fair. “Sometimes, things happen and you have just got to adjust.” This weekend Whitstable visit ninth-placed Corinthian who have enjoyed a successful first season in the league. Drury predicted: “It will be a tough game, they have had a good season. “They’ve been together a few years so they’ll be a decent outfit as well. But we are fighting for our lives to stay in this league.
“We have got two wins in a row now and a lot of confidence to go there and try and get another result.” Defender Tom Mills is available after a threematch ban.