Whitstable Town FC

Newly promoted Thamesmead showed they have the players to maintain their Ryman North League status in an entertaining game, which could have ended with a ‘goal feast’ from either side.

Thamesmead taking the lead midway through the first half, then both sides hitting the woodwork before Town equalizing through Scott Punton on the half hour. Whitstable took the lead ten minutes later after Jack Tanner’s free kick beat Thamesmead defensive wall. In the second half and substitutes were brought on, their were chances for both side to win it, Whitstable held firm with young keeper Dillon McVicker making a number of good saves. 

Match report by kind permission of Thamesmead FC

Hesitant defending and missed opportunities cost Thamesmead dear as they narrowly lost again 2-1 to Whitstable Town.

The Oystermen started brightly by passing the ball around quickly. On five minutes,  good work from Richard Dimmock on the left wing resulted in a corner. From here, Mead took control with some quick attacking moves but were nearly caught out after 10 minutes when a speculative long range effort from Whitstable sailed over keeper Chris Connealy to clip the top of the bar.

Scot Mulholland surged through the middle on 12 minutes only to see his powerful shot clip the bar. However, a piece of quick thinking three minutes later from the influential midfielder provided the first goal of the game.

Mulhollands pinpoint pass under pressure to the feet of Rikki Cable on the left wing saw him turn his marker, before cutting in to the box, turning two defenders to the steer the ball around the advancing goal keeper on the edge of the six yard box. Yet another mesmeric goal from Cable.

Whitstable equalised on the half hour after slack defending at the back, saw what looked like an innocuous low cross from the right wing fired home from close range after the defence hesitated to clear.

Pedro Knight was through on goal on 31 minutes and seemed hard done by as he appeared to be fouled in the box for the second time, only for the referee to not give anything.

Disaster struck on the stroke of half time as a clumsy challenge resulted in a free kick on the edge of the Thamesmead box for Whitstable. The resulting kick made its way past the wall far to easily to roll low in to the Mead net.

The second half was a midfield battle which saw Mead have enough chances to win not just this match, but the next three! Danny Moore missed one of the best opportunities, but Richard Dimmock, Scot Mulholland, Pedro Knight and Rikki Cable were all denied good efforts by a man of the match display from the young new Whitstable goal keeper.

Mead looked good in midfield and going forward, but must steady the defence if they are to get a result from the last pre-season match against Dartford on Saturday.