by Alex Hoad

Peter Nott says it is crucial for Whitstable Town to buck the trend of recent years and make a strong start to the new Ryman League, Division 1 South campaign.

Town visit Walton Casuals on Saturday before boss Nott oversees a reunion with former side Maidstone United at the Belmont on Tuesday night.

Nott said: "Down the years Whitstable have always seemed to make a slow start and have not really recovered.

"It is important to get off the mark as early as possible because it is a strong league and hard to recover from a bad start."

His task has been made the all the harder as he could be without up to eight players for their opener.

Long-term injury victim Gary Mickelborough and James Morris (chest) are definitely out, Scott Heard (knee), Ash Ulph (flu) and Keelan Mooney (shin splints) are doubts.

Meanwhile, Rob Lyall and Jermaine Darlington will miss the first two games as they are away on holiday and their former Maidstone team-mate James Peacock serves the final two games of his five-match ban.

Nott said: "It is frustrating. I have never known anything like it in pre-season."

He added: "Maidstone is a big game but it is not about me, it’s about digging in against a team that have made it clear they want to be right up there and trying to get the three points."

Do you think Whitstable can get off to a good start? Have your say below.