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Sport

Whitstable Town manager Jamie Coyle describes how Fin Dent fits the mould of player he wants to sign perfectly as talented young forward makes debut in 2-2 draw at Holmesdale

By: Thomas Reeves treeves@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 20 September 2024

Updated: 11:00, 20 September 2024

Fin Dent has been described as the perfect profile of player to fit into Whitstable’s squad by manager Jamie Coyle.

The exciting young forward came through 90 minutes on debut in the Oystermen’s comeback 2-2 Southern Counties East Premier Division draw at Holmesdale, having arrived from divisional rivals Kennington.

Fin Dent in action on his Whitstable debut last Saturday at Holmesdale during a 2-2 draw. Picture: Les Biggs

Coyle watched Dent net twice off the substitutes’ bench in Ton’s 2-2 draw at Faversham last month and has got his man after a seven-day approach.

“He’s someone I have admired for a couple of seasons,” said Whitstable’s boss, who saw Dent mark his bow with an assist.

“I think he got 15 goals for Kennington last season and they, obviously, were a team that were struggling a bit.

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“We watched him against Faversham when he came off the bench to score twice.

“He’s the mould of player that we have been massively missing. He has got a great technique and, from the research we have done, he’s a brilliant character.

Defender Archie Johnson on the ball for Whitstable. Picture: Les Biggs

“He has loads of potential to play in a higher league.

"If he scores the number of goals we think he’s capable of, he will help us get where we want to be.

“We have a real profile of player that we want, who we feel could stay at the club for five or six seasons. He fits that mould.

“He’s only going to get better with the more experience he has.

“He has already made a mark in the first week with us so he’s a real positive signing.”

Harvey Smith gets the equaliser for Whitstable. Picture: Les Biggs

Coyle was left with mixed emotions as Whitstable came from two goals down at Holmesdale to grab a point. Substitute Omotunmise Akanni and eight-goal striker Harvey Smith both were on target inside eight second-half minutes.

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“Before the game, I was expecting us to get three points if I’m honest,” Coyle reflected. “We have been on a good run and some individuals have been performing really well.

“It was just the story of our season, really, where we gave away two of the softest goals we have given away. At 2-0 down with 20 minutes to go, we would have taken a point.

“It was a little bit of mixed emotions for us.

"We showed great attitude and desire to get back into the game and it looked like we would get a third goal if the game went on a little bit longer.

Recently-signed Fin Dent in action for Whitstable at Holmesdale. Picture: Les Biggs

“But when we analysed it, we’re just conceding too many goals. From nine league games, 16 is far too many to have conceded.

“We need to be more resilient and better defensively if we are going to finish higher than where we are.”

The Oystermen host Hollands & Blair in the FA Vase second qualifying round this Saturday.

The teams met in Medway in the league last month, midfielder Josh Oliver bagging a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory while Dover loanee Archie Hatcher got on the scoresheet, and Coyle reckons that defeat will be fresh in the minds of Luke Jessup’s troops.

Coyle said: “We played them recently in the league and performed really well away from home.

“For us to turn up at their place and beat them 4-2, that was a really good performance. They’re going to have the grit between their teeth to get one back over on us.

“But they have made one or two changes since then. They have added some youth into their team so it’s going to be a different game.

“The real focus for us this week is going to be on improving defensively.”

Whitstable return to league matters against Larkfield & New Hythe - led by Danny Lye and No.2 Mickey Phillips, two players Coyle played with - on Tuesday during a run of four out of five fixtures at The Belmont.

Coyle admitted: “We need to improve our home form.

“But we’re confident with the new signings and the potential for one or two more coming in.”

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