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Whitstable manager Lloyd Blackman insists he will not be underestimating strugglers Three Bridges.
Blackman’s Oystermen have recovered after back-to-back defeats over the festive period to claim two victories and two draws in all competitions since their New Year’s Day loss to Herne Bay.
They earned a 3-1 home success against East Grinstead last Saturday and are 12th in Isthmian South East, having played the joint-most amount of games along with Hythe.
This Saturday, Whitstable will take on a Three Bridges team who are third-bottom and have only picked up five league points on home turf so far this season.
But Blackman said: “I never underestimate Three Bridges.
“I actually think I have only won there once in the past three or four years.
“Consistency is a really big part of being successful in this league because anyone can beat anyone on their day, I really believe that.
“Three Bridges are probably a prime example of that. They have some good individual players.
“But we will be doing everything we can to try to get a result there.”
Three Bridges have fared marginally better on their travels than they have at Jubilee Field, winning three away fixtures in the league compared to just one victory at home – beating Hythe 4-1 in November.
But the Sussex club come into the game after a 3-0 victory away to seventh-placed Phoenix Sports.
“They got a good win against Phoenix last weekend,” admitted Blackman.
“Every game is tough at this level and the pitches play a part at this level at this time of year, as well.
“But the teams that are the most consistent are usually the ones at the top of the table.”
After Shawnikki Clement-Peter had given East Grinstead the lead at Belmont, goals from Titan Jadama and Dover Athletic loan man Marshall Wratten, along with an Aaron Millbank penalty, earned Whitstable the points.
Wratten missed Whitstable’s 1-1 draw against Chichester earlier this month but has now scored four goals in their last three fixtures in all competitions.
“It was good that he scored against Sevenoaks. I think that took the pressure off him,” Blackman said.
“He scored the two against Welling and he took his goal on Saturday really well. His work-rate was superb.
“But the whole team played well on Saturday, I have to say that.”
Defender Liam Dickson, who is still struggling with an Achilles injury, is a doubt.
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