Nicky Southall hopes Whitstable Town’s fortunes will change after they ended their
five-match losing streak on Tuesday night.

The run, which included four straight Ryman League, Division 1 South defeats, was halted by the 0-0 draw with Faversham at The Belmont – the second stalemate between the two sides this season.

Manager Southall said: “Hopefully, a clean sheet against a strong outfit is the green shoots of a recovery. It’s a clean sheet against a team doing well in this league.It’s something to take from the game – a positive – and we have something to build on.”

Town visit play-off chasing Walton Casuals on Saturday before travelling to Crawley Down Gatwick on Tuesday night.

Southall said: “They are two winnable games, particularly if we can take Tuesday’s performance into those two games. Our away form has been quite good. We’ve lost the last two but we’ve been well in them and it could have gone the other way.”

Southall praised 16-year-old debutant right-back Aaron Simpson, who was named man-of-the-match on his first senior appearance after being recommended by Southall’s former Gills team-mate Lee Spiller, who runs academy side Soccer Elite.

Southall said: “I have to say well done to him, making his debut at 16. He’s a real find. I watched him play (for Soccer Elite) against Ebbsfleet last week.He’s quick, enthusiastic and he can handle it in men’s football."