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Whitstable Town manager Keith McMahon eyeing improved away form ahead of their Isthmian South East match at Chichester City
05:00, 05 November 2021
Boss Keith McMahon wants Whitstable Town to start improving their away form as they visit fellow strugglers Chichester this weekend.
The Oystermen are unbeaten at the Belmont since McMahon took over but are still to collect a point on the road under McMahon’s stewardship, having suffered three successive defeats.
Ahead of their trip to Oaklands Park, McMahon said: “Listen, it’s another difficult away game.
“We seem to be playing a lot more away games than home games where we are unbeaten in three! But I’m confident. We have a good enough side.
“They are a team around us that we need to get some points from. We just need to go on a run.
“We are decent at home but, now, we need to pick up some points on our travels.
"Once we start doing that, I’m sure that we will be fine.”
McMahon has been able to add to his Whitstable squad.
He has brought in winger Alex Gaggin from former club VCD, although he is yet to make his debut for the second-bottom Oystermen after picking up a groin injury, while midfielders Luke Illsley and Luca Woodhouse, on dual-registration from Tonbridge Angels, have also joined.
McMahon said: “He pulled his groin, just before we signed him. But Alex will add a massive amount to our squad.
"He has good pace, can score goals and is very experienced.
“With Luke Illsley, I knew him from when he played at Cheshunt and East Thurrock.
“I saw he was at Herne Bay, as well, but he wasn’t getting a game so I’ve managed to get him in as well as Luca Woodhouse from Tonbridge Angels.”
Whitstable lost 4-1 at manager-less Hastings on Tuesday night, Harry Goodger netted after his penalty had earned them a share of the spoils as they drew 1-1 with Three Bridges on Saturday.
“We need goals from him,” stated McMahon who felt the decision to award Hastings a penalty at the Pilot Field when the score was 1-1 was a turning point in the match.
“Harry took his goal really well on Tuesday.
“Since coming back from suspension, he is two in two but we need to start chipping in with more goals from the rest of the pitch.”
The match against Three Bridges also marked goalkeeper Dan Eason’s 250th appearance for the club.
McMahon praised the achievement, saying: “It’s great for him.
“You don’t normally get that with players staying at a club for so long now. He is a good goalie.
“It’s a brilliant achievement for him and it’s brilliant for the club as well.”
Player-coach Ben Harding has also left the club and signed for Ramsgate.
Gaggin is expected to miss the Isthmian South East game against Chichester, although he may return for their home match against Burgess Hill next weekend.
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