Reece Gillies plays with one brother at Whitstable - but feels like he has many more in their squad.

The 29-year-old has been a regular part of the Southern Counties East League play-off chasing Oystermen’s midfield this season alongside brother Liam Gillies.

Prior to Reece’s Whitstable return, the siblings had only once briefly played together at Snodland under father Gavin.

He said: “That was a good time, a very successful time.

“Liam was only 18 at the time. After that, not really.

“I’ve played against him a few times, like when I was at Glebe and he was at Whitstable. It’s good.

“We argue like brothers at times but, at the same time, we look after each other. It’s what we have in the squad.

“We’ve got a brother thing going on there - but, really, we’re all brothers.

“We all have a similar sort of close relationship together.

“We have got to come together as one to achieve what our objectives are.”

Reece had never worked with Whitstable boss Marcel Nimani before this term, although Liam had.

“It’s been fantastic, really good,” noted Gillies, also formerly of Rochester, Lewes and Sevenoaks.

“It’s the first time I’ve worked with Marcel, although I’ve been at Whitstable before. I’ve always wanted to play under Marcel.

“My little brother Liam worked with him at Sheppey. The lads are good.

“There’s new players that I have not played with before that are good players.

“We just need to keep doing our best.

“Our work-rate needs to stay the same as it has been and (we) really need to push on. We’re training two days a week.

“We’re doing everything we can in terms of analysing the opposition and looking at our strengths, as well.”

Nimani’s team earned a 3-0 win at Welling Town on Tuesday after a goalless home draw against Tunbridge Wells last weekend.

Top scorer Josh Williams was at the double while fellow winger Tyler Anderson was also on target.

“Josh has been absolutely great,” said Gillies, the Oystermen having substitute Harvey Smith sin-binned and assistant Craig Coles red-carded towards the end of their Welling Town victory.

“It’s the first time I’ve played with Josh, so it’s the first time I’ve got to know him. He’s fantastic on the pitch - and off the pitch, as well.

“I felt his work-rate was phenomenal. It was similar against Glebe. He really makes a difference, going forward.

“On the ball, he’s great and his decision-making on Tuesday was second to none and he got two goals, one especially was a great header.

“He got the assist for Tyler, as well, which was another positive.”

Heading into the final few fixtures of the season, Whitstable are on the fringes of the play-offs in eighth.

Gillies, who works as a project manager in construction, said: “We have played more games than some teams around us – Snodland and Erith – but go to Erith Town on Saturday. That’s a tough place.

“But from the performances on Tuesday and Saturday, we feel confident going into these games.

“Macca (Jake Mackenzie) had a rest on Saturday.

“We feel confident we can push the teams in and around us.”