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RESERVES MAKE IT TO LEAGUE CUP FINAL

WHITSTABLE TOWN RESERVES MAKE IT TO LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Folkestone Invicta Reserves 1 v Whitstable Town Reserves 1

Aggregate 6-2 to Whitstable Town...League Cup Semi-Final 2^nd Leg

Reports: Simon Kay

Whitstable Town Reserves are into the League Cup Final after a 1-1 draw away at Folkestone Invicta to complete a 6-2 aggregate victory and will now face Dartford who currently lie 7^th in Division 1.

After last weeks 1^st leg thumping 5-1 victory at The Belmont Town traveled to Cheriton Road looking to get the job completed and they did but it was a far from convincing performance as credit must go to Folkestone because they totally dominated the game in search of a remarkable comeback. The opening 10 minutes was a bombardment on the Town goal as firstly Folkestone took the lead after a horrible mix up between keeper Mark Hickson and Defender Ian Hossick saw striker Joe Nielson nip in to slot the ball into an empty net. Soon after it was nearly 2-0 when Simon Rainbow burst through to shoot inches wide and as the Folkestone attacks kept flowing they had the ball in the net again through Liam Friend but it was ruled out for offside. So within the first 15 minutes Town could have found themselves 3 down and with a real game on their hands. They soon upped their game though and started to create chances of their own as Andy Martin came close and Alex Hossick fired wide. The equalizer came and inevitably Town?s place in the final when Darren Bridges pulled out a superb cross which Andy Martin guided into the net for his 24^th goal of the season.

Half Time: Folkestone Invicta 1 Whitstable Town 1(Martin)

The second half just became attack after attack from Folkestone on the Whitstable goal as Town didn?t really come out second half. Maybe mentally they thought the game was over but had they played to their full potential it would have seen a far more entertaining game as Town going forward are a very capable side. Chances came for Folkestone through Rainbow, Knott and Neilson but they couldn?t quite find the back of the net. Darren Bridges, Darren Budge and Andy Martin each had a chance to put Town in front but all failed to beat the keeper. Folkestone almost took victory when Josh Maine pulled down Rob Knott in the box but Simon Rainbow?s penalty was saved superbly by Mark Hickson in the Town goal.

A Final now waits against Dartford and Town look to keep second place in the league and maybe if a slip up comes from Thamesmead they could still grab top spot. It?s going to be an exciting finish to the season for the Reserves in what has been a terrific season after last years title, promotion winning campaign.

Full Time: Folkestone Invicta 1 Whitstable Town 1(Martin) Agg: 2-6

Man Of The Match: Mark Hickson: By far Town?s best player on the night as he was the busiest player due to Folkestone dominating the game. Shaky start to gift Folkestone the lead but more than made up for it with a string of important saves and then saving a penalty to make sure Town came away with a draw after a poor performance.

Town: Hickson, I.Hossick, Davies(C), Maine(Duffy), Baker, A.Hossick(Roy), N.Smith(Rumball), Gess, Budge, Bridges, Martin. Subs: Wright, Harker.

ROUTE TO THE FINAL

Whitstable Town Reserves Route To The League Cup Final

Round 1 Away To Slade Green Won 4-1 (Budge(2), Ratchford, A.Hossick)

Round 2 Away To Lordswood Drew 1-1 (Gess)

Replay Won 4-0 (Martin(3), I.Hossick)

Quarter Final Home To Hythe Town Won 2-1 (Budge, Whittaker)

Semi-Final 1^st Leg Home To Folkestone Invicta Won 5-1 (Budge(2), Bridges, Rumball, Martin)

Semi-Final 2^nd Leg Away To Folkestone Invicta Drew 1-1 (Martin)

Final ?

Division 1 and 2 Cup

Dartford v Whitstable Town

to be played at Folkestone Invicta FC on Wednesday April 26 Kick-off 7.45pm

CUP SEMI FINAL DEMOLITION JOB

WTFC reserves 5 v Folkestone Invicta 1

Whitstable Town Reserves produced one of their best performances of the season to absolutely demolish the Second Division league leaders in this first leg cup semi-final. Whitstable were very wary of the threat that Folkestone could cause them after three very close and competitive games last season.The first ten minutes belonged to Folkestone as they came out and attacked Town from the off but Town held firm. Town, probably against the run of play at this point took the lead after good work by skipper Shane Davies saw midfield maestro Jake Gess thread a ball through for winger Darren Bridges who ran onto his pass and fired a great right footed shot across the keeper to put Town 1-0 up.

GESS SETTLES RESERVES DERBY CLASSIC:

GESS SETTLES RESERVES DERBY CLASSIC: Herne Bay Reserves: 3 v Whitstable Town Reserves: 4 Kent League ? Division 1 Reports: Simon Kay

Jake Gess was the man to settle this pulsating derby between Bay and Town Reserves but it was Andy Martin who hauled Town back into it firstly by scoring just before half time to make it 2-1 to Bay and then pulling them back level to 3-3 in the second half, before Gess struck late on.

Town played some good football first half but two defensive mistakes and a superbly taken goal by Stuart King put Bay in the driving seat. Bay shot into a 2-0 lead firstly from a mistake by Sam Baker then King?s strike to shock Town but the character of this side was on full show as they battled back into it. At 2-0 down Town pressed and Martin was sent clear by Gess and he slotted into the bottom corner. But before the half Bay struck again with a neatly driven shot from the edge of the box to send them in 3-1 up at the interval.

Picture another hat-trick for Andy Martin: With a few harshly spoken words at half time Town came out and totally dominated the second half and performed a great comeback. Andy Martin got his second when he was put through clean on goal again to coolly finish and soon after Sam Prett has two golden opportunities to put Town level but he shot over on both occasions. Nick Smith came on and he, Toby Roy and Gess became very dominant in the middle of midfield. Martin completed his hat-trick in style when he ran clear of the defense to lob the Bay keeper to put Town within sight of victory. The management switched to a 4-3-3 in search of a winner and it came when Jake Gess capped an outstanding display to beat Martin Collins to the through ball and smash his shot straight past the keeper to cue great celebrations on the pitch and from the dug-out.

Town: Wright, Duffy, Davies, Baker, Harker, Bridges, Roy, Gess, Whittaker(N.Smith), Martin(Rumball), Prett. Subs: B.Smith, Rigden, Braidwood.

Deal Town Res's 0 Whitstable Town Res's 3

Picture: Michael Adcock scored Whitstables first goal: Deal Town Reserves 0 Whitstable Town Reserves 3
After the match Marc Seager pointed out that ?Laney? apart; Michael Adcock at 22 was the oldest player in Whitstable?s team. Which showed on the pitch as they blitzed the home side in the first 45 minutes, ?We made three changes almost in one go,? said manager Simon Kay, ?that always upsets a sides rhythm, but I was pleased with the way they played, Gary Ward looked comfortable and the 90 minute of competitive football will have done him a world of good.?

In a superb first half display of team football Whitstable were deservedly ahead by two goals at the interval. Michael Adcock with the first after 20 minutes, then Jake Gess with the second in the 40^th, as the visitors dominated the first 45 minutes. Town?s young keeper, 40 years young Mark Lane was untroubled as the home side struggled to cope with Whitstable?s pace and movement. Showing some delightful touches from the back four through to the energetic midfield; with Darren Budge and the effervescent Andy Martin up front, tormenting the visitors defence.

In the second half Whitstable further extended their lead through Martin and although Deal made more of a game of it in the second half, Lane was largely untroubled in goal, deservedly keeping a clean sheet. With manager Simon Kay aided by first team manager Marc Seager ringing the changes in the second half the game lacked the tempo of the first. However Whitstable will need to be at their best when Deal visits the Belmont next Tuesday in the return leg of the Kent League mid-week floodlit cup group match, as they will be out to avenge the 3-0 defeat.

7TH CONSECUTIVE LEAGUE WIN

TOWN RESERVES ROLL ON WITH 7^TH CONSECUTIVE LEAGUE WIN
Picture: Simon Kay: Whitstable Town Reserves 3 Erith Town Reserves 1 Kent League ? Division 1 Reports: Simon Kay.....Whitstable Town Reserves showed immense character and belief to win this big game in Division 1 after going 1-0 down in the opening 5 minutes and storm back to win 3-1. Erith Town came to the Belmont having a 100% record in the league, winning all four games and looking to take the points from the Divisions runaway leaders Whitstable Town Reserves who now sit 6 points clear and being unbeaten in their last 8 games. Erith started very lively, very bright and it knocked Town back a bit as they really took the game to Town to show they meant business and wanted to come away with victory.