..?7 up Town...?  Sporting Bengal 0 Whitstable Town 7

 Kentish Observer Premier League 5th November 2005: Picture: Steve Marshall:  If seven was the lucky number for Whitstable then the number thirteen shirt worn by Sporting keeper Helawz Zaman was definitely the opposite.  Not that he should shoulder all the blame for his side leaking seven goals against the side, which has underachieved in the league so far this season, he made some quality saves along with his defender David Martin who cleared two shots off the line in as many minutes, without his heroics it could easily have been double figures. It was the Town forwards who banged in the goals for the visitors, but the game was won by Whitstable?s midfield pairing of player/manager Marc Seager with Marcos Perona alongside, who dominated the game from the kick off. At the back, keeper Mark Hickson was largely untroubled in the first half, playing a fulsome part in keeping a clean sheet and the victory when he made a couple of great stops, late on in the second. His back four of Gary Sayer, captain Andy Kier with the ever improving Michael Addcock alongside and Tom Parker on the other, dealt comfortable with what little threat the home side mustered.

Town were nearly a goal up inside the first minute, Arron Knight?s shot fizzing past Zaman?s upright from a neat Steve Marshall ball. Andy Constable, starting upfront alongside Marshall for first time this season started to cause the home defence problems, his fierce shot beaten away for a corner. Seager whipping the ball in, Marshall out jumping all in a packed area to put Town 1-0 up in the 8^th minute. Kier then went close with a header, again from a Seager corner, as did Addcock a minute later as Town laid siege to Zaman?s goal.

In reply the home side went closest when Foyzul Hoque skipped down the flanks, his first time cross was just missed at the far post by Mujhard Hussain.

And flow they did, Stuart Harrison scoring in the 83^rd minute after Zaman had saved from Constable. Addcock went off, replaced by Rob Thomas, and then Perona scored goal number five. At 5-0 up Seager made way for Toby Roy, Town still pressing for more goals. Great saves by Zaman from Constable, Marshall and Perona, with Martin making to crucial goal line clearance kept the score down to five goals. But Town were not to be denied, Harrison flighting a header to the far post, to score his second and Town?s sixth.

Full Time: Sporting Bengal 0 Whitstable Town 7

 Team: Mark Hickson: Tom Parker: Gary Sayer Andy Kier (capt): Michael Addcock: Marc Seager (Capt.): Marcos Perona: Stuart Harrison: Andy Constable: Steve Marshall: