Marshall on song.... Whitstable Town 2 v Erith Town 0  

Picture Steve Marshall (right) with player/manager Marc Seager presenting the hat-trick momento for Steve's three goals against Sporting Bengal: KOKL Premier Div group cup?Saturday 12^th November 2005...?We need to take more of the chances we create,? said Whitstable coach Simon Halsey, ? once again we have opened a side up, many many times, particularly in the first half when we could have easily been three or four ahead instead of just the single goal at half time. But, we are creating the chances and we can?t complain with the way we have been knocking them in theses last few games and another clean sheet to boot, which is always very pleasing.? Although Whitstable started brightly the first real chance came with the visitors Joe Fitzpatrick breaking into Whitstable?s area, but he was well marshalled by the home side?s Andy Kier sand Rob Thomas and did not manage to get off a shot.

{mosmedia}This seemed to galvanise Whitstable as they laid siege to the visitor?s keeper Chris Connelly?s goal for most of the first half. In the 12^th minute Steve Marshall taking a neat pass from Arron Knight in his stride beat keeper Connelly, his shot went the wrong side of the post. Minutes later Knight was through one-on-one with the keeper but he dragged his shot wide, Knight then turned provider setting up Andy Constable whose fierce shot beat Connelly but clipped the wrong side of his up right. Still Whitstable pressed, with Stuart Harrison on the left and Knight on the right both causing alarm in the visitors ranks each time they had the ball. It now seemed only a matter of time before one of the Whitstable swift attacks paid off, from a marc Seager free kick after Marcos Perona was fouled when on a great run to the by-line, Steve Marshall put Whitstable in front in the 27^th minute. Seager?s free kick was only half cleared as the Erith defence pushed up, the ball was lofted back over their attempted offside trap, Marshall drawing the keeper before slotting home from close in. Despite some great football, the visitors somehow kept Whitstable?s attack out for the remainder of the half, the home side leading by the game's solitary goal at the break.

Half Time: Whitstable Town 1 v Erith Town 0

The introduction of Ben Louch for the visitor lifted their game, his pace and direct running at Whitstable defence had captain Andy Kier calling for his side the ?stay focused, and just keep it simple?. Harrison then set up Marshall with the games best move, Prett and Harrison combining well with Harrison laying in the perfect ball to the feet of Marshall, his air shot left him fuming and the supporters stunned at such a miss. Still Whitstable pressed, but with the visitors having a much better second half it was a more even contest, Erith?s Louch shooting over when he should have at least tested Whitstable keeper Hickson. Toby Roy replaced Perona as Whitstable played out the remainder of the match without undue alarm. Whitstable manager Seager taking great delight in another clean sheet and winning his first game in this seasons new format for the league cup now played as group games until the quarterfinals.

 Full Time: Whitstable Town 2 v Erith Town 0