Whitstable Town FC

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.

Within 2 minutes their first opportunity came but keeper Robert French pulled off a terrific save. However Erith got their just rewards with a goal after 5 minutes but it was really gifted to them from Town as a mix up occurred on the edge of the Town box and the Erith striker was free to place his shot low into the bottom corner which French was given no chance with. Town from the goal came alive and controlled the remainder of the half and started to play some great football with the midfield three of Nick Smith, Alex Hossick and Jake Gess taking a firm grip on the game and the three together are looking a real force. It was Gess who laid on the assist for winger Darren Bridges to bring the game back level when he threaded a pass inside the full back which Bridges latched onto and looped a shot over the keeper and into the top corner. Town created so many more chances with Bridges  and Hossick and Josh Maine all going close to putting Town in front. The second goal which came just before the half oozed real class as Darren Budge took control of the ball mid park to move out wide and cross a pin point ball which Andy Martin dummied for Jake Gess to move onto a shoot hard past the Erith keeper.

Picture Andy Martin: Div 1 top goal scorere with (10)The second half was similar to the first as Erith came out and attacked Town in the early stages only for Whitstable to regain control of the game and score a third to take victory. Darren Budge showing great determination down the right wing to beat his marker and cross only for Martin to have the ball taken from him by the keeper just he was about to head home. At 2-1 with the game still their for Erith, keeper French pulled off another great save to preserve the lead. The emerging talents of Josh Maine at right back started to show as he won tackles, headers and played some great balls through for Martin and Gess to get onto. Tom Berry who came in at left back as he gains full fitness before taking his place in the first team had an outstanding game and came to rescue with a goal line clearance and was a threat when in a more forward position. Town?s third came after a super through ball from Maine which Martin ran onto and rounded the keeper to slot into the empty net for his 11^th goal in 9 games. He was then replaced by the returning Liam Quinn who looked pretty sharp after a couple of months out. At the final whistle the delight was clear to see for Simon Kay and Peter Budge as I don?t think even they expected Town to be in this promising position this early in the season. More performances like this and last weeks at Deal and there wont be many teams that will live with this side.

Town: French, Maine, Berry, Baker, Ratchford, A.Hossick, Budge(Hobbs), Smith, Gess, Martin(Capt)(Quinn), Bridges. Subs: Harker, Duffy, Seagers.