The Pain Game! But Fleet's Corey Wants Another Crack

Whitely was part of John Still's Dagenham & Redbridge squad that lost to Forest Green Rovers in last season’s semi-finals.

He has starred for Ebbsfleet since signing in the middle of February and the Kent outfit are unbeaten since his arrival.

Fleet boosted their top seven hopes with a big derby win over Dover Athletic on Monday - and welcome leaders Macclesfield to the Kuflink Stadium for BT Sport’s lunchtime game on Saturday.

“There’s a buzz around the training ground at the moment, especially after that win on Monday,” Whitely told us.

“The crowd went crazy when we got the winner - I thought I was at Anfield or Old Trafford! It felt like we had won the League.

“It’s definitely going to be a good game against Macclesfield. We’ve got a lot to play for and we believe we can get into the play-offs now.

“The pressure will be on them at the top of the table and we tend to up our standards against the best teams.

“The play-offs are the aim and I played in them last season for Dagenham. We lost in the semis and it still hurts me now.

“Hopefully I’ll get into the play-offs again this season and I’ll be doing my best to go through and get promoted.”

Whitely found it tough to leave Dagenham but has enjoyed his brief spell in Kent so far, starring in a more central role behind leading marksman Danny Kedwell.

“It was the right move for me, coming to a club that has so much going for them,” Whitely said.

“It was difficult leaving Dagenham because it was my first time in the National League and I was comfortable there.

“But I’m at Ebbsfleet now and I’ve really enjoyed it so far. There’s so much togetherness here. Everybody gets on and it’s been very welcoming.

“I don’t think too many people believed we could make the play-offs when I joined but now they do.”

The 26-year-old is playing at the highest level of his career and is desperate to test himself even higher.

After starting out as a youngster with Boreham Wood, Whitely turned out for the likes of Cheshunt and Enfield Town before John Still took him to Dagenham in August 2016.

He has become one of the most exciting forward players to watch in the National League and hopes his move to Ebbsfleet is the beginning of a rise for both parties.

“Even in my youth days I was in Non-League with Boreham Wood,” Whitely added. “I made a few appearances but had never really been in a professional environment until I joined Dagenham.

“Playing in the Football League is my main goal. I just hope I can make it because it’s my big dream.

“I had a few offers before I joined Ebbsfleet but this was the club that was the best fit. They want to go in the same direction as me and it’s an exciting time at the moment.”

BY STEVEN CONEY