Manager Marcel Nimani believes Whitstable’s facilities are up there with the best in Kent.

A new 3G pitch was installed this summer and Nimani says, while he accepts the club’s present status as a Southern Counties East Premier Division team, their set-up at The Belmont is much better than that.

“We appreciate our status as a Step 5 club but we offer Step 4 and Step 3-level coaching, and we have some great facilities,” Nimani said.

“The facilities are second to none. By status, we’re Step 5 but our facilities are probably as good as any non-league clubs in Kent.

“We will look to keep recruiting, particularly we are after a winger.”

Goals from James Jeffrey, returning midfielder Liam Gillies and Josh Oliver saw Whitstable win 3-1 at Division 1 Greenways on Monday in the Second Round of the Challenge Cup.

Nimani reflected: “It was a good win and it was a pleasing performance.

“We went strong.

"With quite a number of new faces in the squad, we used it to gel the players in and I thought the players took really well to the competition.”

Nimani has made little secret of his intention to take the Challenge Cup seriously this term.

He added: “We have a winning mentality and we are trying to bring a winning mentality into our first-team.

“I think the cup is a fantastic opportunity to recognise our fans. So many supporters travelled from Whitstable on Monday night.

“It’s an opportunity to show the fans we care and gives us an opportunity to give the fans something for the support they give us.”

Gillies has reunited with Nimani at Whitstable having left Sheppey, the pair helping the Ites to the league title last season, while defender Sam Fitzgerald has signed from Fisher.

“We have brought in Liam Gillies, he has come back to the club,” Nimani said.

“Liam is a great player and I worked with him last year. He’s a player with a great attitude and bundles of talent and energy.

“Unfortunately, he has not played a lot this year. He’s going to need a little bit of time to get match fit but, once he gets fit, he’s a real talent.

“Sam Fitzgerald is a great player, I remember some of his performances last year.

"We needed a centre-half with Will Thomas being sent off and Sam Fitzgerald is the perfect type of player to fill that void.”

Others recently recruited also include former Southend graduate Reiss Chandler, versatile midfielder Michael Uwezu and defensive-minded midfielder Caoilte Deakin.

Their cup success came after they were beaten 2-1 at Rusthall last weekend, despite midfielder Joe Nelder having given the Oystermen the lead before they fell behind as defender Thomas was sent off.

Nimani said: “It was frustrating, it was disappointing.

“The last two weekends have kind of surprised me a bit but, nonetheless, it does take time to blend a team. These new players need time to settle.

“But once they are settled, the consistency will follow. It’s just a shame we are at a time where we don’t have the time to adapt and settle ourselves.

“But, ultimately, it was what I signed up for. When I was offered the job, I knew the situation.”

Things don’t get any easier for the Oystemen this Saturday. Thomas begins a three-match suspension as they host third-placed Erith Town.

“They are a great side,” Nimani said.

“They have an excellent manager [in Adam Woodward] and a consistent side. Most of the players have been with him for quite some time. In the summer, he added even more.

“They’re deservedly up there, going for promotion, and will be a very difficult side to face.”

Whitstable Reserves have been drawn at home in the Second Round of the Kent Intermediate Cup to Maidstone Reserves.