Whitstable Town FC

Despite extending their recent good run, only losing once in the last eight games, Whitstable struggled 

was how Whitstable manager Marc Seager descried the Walton Road Stadium pitch. “We never adapted to the surface at all first half, the second was better but I thought it was one of those games whichever side scored first would go on and win it. Fortunately the three second half subs all help raise the lads and we played some half decent football, given the conditions.”

Neither keeper had a save of note to make in the first 45 minute, with both sides cancelling each other out. 

Twenty minutes into the second half Seager was forced into a change, Liam Quinn giving way to Sam Denley after taking a knock. His substitution was quickly followed five minutes later by the addition of Tommy Martin and Nick Bagley, on for Tom Parker and Dan Whisker respectively. Fresh legs and the home side losing their shape and Whitstable at last enjoyed some good possession.

The first goal came after a good clearance by Whitstable keeper Kevin Fewell, who was celebrating his 100^th appearances for the club, his ball found Martin out wide right who slipped in Dave Corey who beat home keeper Matt Nash with a low drive. Five minutes later and Martin was bundled over inside the area, Ian Pullman slotting home from the penalty spot for his fourteenth goal of the season. A minute later and Whitstable were three up; Bagley’s fierce shot rebounded of the post, which was met by Whitstable skipper Marcos Perona who beat Nash in a crowded area.

Both keepers made some good saves as the game opened up, Fewell pulling off a great reflex save, Nash was equally good at the other end to keep out a Pulman shot.

With Town seemingly in control at 3-0 some sloppy defending allowed the home side to score with almost the last kick of the game, Leyton Phelan scoring after the ball had been cleared off Town’s goal line twice. Phelan stabbed it in with his knee, which spoke volume for the poor surface.

WTFC © Tony Rouse