Whitstable Town manager Jamie Coyle looks ahead to team starting FA Vase defence with second-round tie at Infinity

Whitstable Town start their FA Vase defence this Saturday - but boss Jamie Coyle reckons his squad have had to deal with plenty of eyes on them already this season.

The Southern Counties East League Premier Division leaders are off to lower-league Infinity for their second-round tie.

Whitstable are among the bookies’ favourites to win the Vase this term.

Few clubs even get the opportunity to defend their title, given many are also promoted and therefore don’t qualify for the Vase, which is only open to sides at Step 5 and 6, so Coyle’s team can create history.

Many will be desperate to take the scalp of the Oystermen but Coyle is used to teams raising their levels against them.

“It’s been like that all season,” he said.

“Even in the league games, the running and the opposition energy levels - and even on the sidelines - the levels are just that bit higher. We are going to have to deal with that until the end of this season.

“Everyone wants to beat Whitstable. But it’s been so far, so good, in terms of dealing with that.

“It’s been a good start and the lads have been managing the expectation levels on us.

"Long may that continue.”

Weekend hosts Infinity, flying high in Southern Combination League Division 1, are on a three-match winning run.

“We had our scout watch them on Saturday,” revealed Coyle, whose side reached the FA Cup fourth qualifying round this season.

“We have had to do our due diligence.

"They’re in good form and we have got to treat them with the same level of respect we would treat anyone else with every week.

“We have already shown in the FA Cup what can happen if you take teams lightly.”

Whitstable were 2-1 winners at mid-table Fisher in the league last weekend.

Coyle reflected: “It was an unbelievable