Whitstable Town manager Lee Martin signs striker Kane Rowland - admitting he should have done so in the summer - as Rowland nets twice during 4-0 Velocity Cup win against Deal Town

Lee Martin has brought an experienced forward back to Whitstable that he initially turned down - accepting he made a mistake.

Kane Rowland has rejoined the Oystermen as Martin’s men look to find their groove after a slow start to the Isthmian South East season. Rowland certainly made his mark on Whitstable manager Martin in the latter’s playing days.

But Martin initially overlooked Rowland, formerly of Ramsgate and Sittingbourne, in the close season as he set about a summer overhaul.

Martin said: “I reached out to Kane [in the summer]. I’ve always been a big fan.

“Two games against him, twice I ended up with cuts on my head! He’s a mobile forward that, ultimately, can be a target man at times.

“People like Jack Nelson, who has had a really good start, need someone like him around them. We need that balance.

“Kane’s a very unselfish footballer that we probably haven’t had recently. The good thing is he didn’t hold any grudges about being overlooked in the summer.

“I’m big enough to say that I made a mistake with that one.”

Rowland came through virtually the whole game as the Oystermen won at much-fancied Faversham Town last midweek.

“They have signed some very good players and, obviously, have got some financial backing,” said Martin.

“For us to go and compete there, that was a boost. To go and win? I thought we were outstanding.

"It’s the toughest place to go in the league.

“We gave them that last-minute goal a bit but we were comfortable throughout.”

Among the Whitstable scorers was Sebastian Amataj, the Bromley loanee defender smashing past goalkeeper Tom Hadler in fantastic fashion.

Martin said: “He’s a good young kid but he doesn’t drive!

“We’re asking these players to go above and beyond.

"We gave the players a