Whitstable face their cup final on Saturday as they prepare to host play-off rivals Worthing at the Belmont, according to joint-boss Danny Ward.

With the Oystermen sat eighth in Ryman League Division 1 South, six points adrift of fifth, the final play-off spot, the visit of the sixth-placed Rebels to Town (3pm) will go a long way to deciding which of them survive in the fight for a shot at promotion.

An empassioned Ward claimed: “It’s our cup final. It’s the biggest game since (joint-boss, brother Jim) and I have been at the club, no doubt.

“If we were to get beat you’d have to say it’s nigh-on impossible for us to get fifth. It wouldn’t be impossible with 10 games left, but it would be nigh-on.

“But if we were to win we are right in there. We have six games left at home this season and three games coming-up in eight days. Our season will be decided by how we do in that coming week.”

Ward hopes to see a bumper crowd at the game, hoping the gate will reflect the value on offer in a league season which has seen 67 goals scored in 17 games at the Belmont.

He added: “It’s a massive game and if the people of Whitstable can’t come out to support us and get behind us for a game like this, I’m not sure what else we can do.”

Town hope to have Peter Smith in their squad for the game after lodging a seven-day approach for the midfielder with their former club Sittingbourne.