Whitstable Town manager Nicky Southall says he is pleased with his side’s progress through the pre-season campaign as the new season draws ever closer.

Saturday's Bruce Smith Shield penalty shootout win over neighbours Herne Bay was followed by a 1-1 draw with Ryman League Premier Division side Margate on Tuesday.

Southall said: “It’s a progression and we have to keep progressing into Saturday and keep doing it all the way to the start of the season.

“Margate are a good team and have got some good results. I think we definitely looked fitter than them. I can’t fault the lads’ attitude. I was pleased with the performance and the game.

“We had some young lads out there, we moved around well and it was refreshing to see a good youthfulness about us.”

Whitstable will launch the new Ryman League Division 1 South season away to Redhill on Saturday, August 10 before hosting Crawley Down Gatwick on Tuesday, August 13.

They host the derby game with Herne Bay on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26. The return fixture is at Winch’s Field on Boxing Day, while the highly-anticipated trip to Guernsey is scheduled for Saturday, September 7.