Whitstable player-manager Jamie Coyle believes the excitement is spreading ahead of their massive FA Vase semi-final.

The Southern Counties East League Premier Division side sit two matches from a Wembley final.

The Oystermen will play Hellenic League Premier Division champions-elect Hartpury University in front of a sell-out crowd at The Belmont in the first leg on Saturday before the second leg in Gloucestershire eight days later.

“The whole town is excited,” said Coyle. “It’s a really good place to be.

“There’s certain stipulations in terms of ground improvements we have got to do - but that will have a lasting impact at the football club.

“Whether it’s new bars, toilets or drainage systems that have been put in, that’s really good for the club’s long-term future. It’s good to see the hard work behind the scenes being rewarded.

“We had 2,500 for the quarter-final and, having 3,000 this time, that’s going to be very good for everyone involved.

"Playing in the quarter-final, there were some nervy faces, especially early on, but that experience can only benefit them going forwards.

“We don’t just want to enjoy the semi-final - we want to give ourselves a shot at a Wembley final. I’m sure a lot more people will want to support us for that!

"But it’s just one game at a time.”

Plenty of scouting work has again been done by Coyle’s backroom staff on what to expect from Hartpury University.

Unlike the other three FA Vase semi-finalists, Whitstable have also been handed the benefit of not having any midweek game before either leg.

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Coyle revealed: “We watched two or three of their games before training on Tuesday. We looked at what their strengths are and, potentially, where we can exploit their weaknesses.

“We have got a lot of feedback on them.

“We have had them watched by one of our coaches. They’re a young, energetic side that will be a tough nut to crack.

“We have two opportunities in training this week - and the same again next week - to make sure we have got ourselves fully prepared.

“Having no midweek game this week or next week is nice. That’s testament to the league because they have done us a right favour there.

“Obviously going into Saturday’s game 16 unbeaten, confidence is really high.”

But Coyle, who will be without the cup-tied Dean Grant and Bradley Schafer, warned: “Hartpury are very well-drilled and you can see that from the games we have watched of them. They’re organised.

“I think they’re virtually full-time where they’re linked to the university scheme.

“They have already beaten VCD and Erith & Belvedere from our league in the competition, who are good teams, so they’re a very good side and it will be a difficult game.

“But you don’t get any easy games at this stage of a national competition. These are the kind of games you look forward to.

“The best team will win over two legs. That’s nice, as well.

“You can have an officiating decision go against you in a one-off game or someone makes a mistake but, over two games, you would like to think the best team goes through.”

Indeed, playing in a two-legged tie will even be a unique experience for 41-year-old defender Coyle, let alone the squad’s younger members.

He said: “They used to do it in the play-offs, didn’t they? But I don’t think I’ve done it before.

“It’s nice. The club are doing their part, as well, paying for us to stay in a hotel next Saturday because the game is on the Sunday. The rugby team plays on their pitch on Saturdays, but we’re going to be fully prepared.

"It’s great the club has backed us.”

The Oystermen secured a huge 2-1 league victory at play-off rivals Larkfield & New Hythe last weekend.

They recovered from trailing at half-time and having had Coyle sin-binned to win a contest plagued with contentious calls through Ashdon Day and a late goal from substitute Nathan Jeche.

“I said at the end of the game that we couldn’t allow an official to take away the run we have been on,” said Coyle.

“We had a terrible decision go against us and we were 1-0 down at half-time. I got sin-binned in the first half for questioning the penalty decision.

“But the players really stuck together because, at half-time, we looked a bit dead and buried. The determination and work-rate of the players to get the three points was absolutely phenomenal.

“To be sitting in the play-off places, that’s testament to everyone involved. We have done a brilliant job in the last 16 games in the league and the cup.

“Now, we have got two massive games in the FA Vase and a real opportunity to get to Wembley.”