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 TOWN RESERVES ROLL ON WITH 7TH
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 11th 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.
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Reserves 
