Whitstable Town FC

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH
?the tough have to get going. In the top Kent League fixture this weekend Whitstable Town play champion wannabes Beckenham Town at the Belmont Road Ground. Beckenham have only lost to Herne Bay and Maidstone so far this season, both times at Eden Park Avenue and so now it's down to the Reds to spoil their away record. As the only home fixture of the four 'six pointers' still left to play in the league, any points dropped might prove fatal to Whitstable's aspirations at season's end. Mind you Whitstable are unbeaten in the last nine league games and three more points would place the Oystermen only seven behind league leaders Maidstone. It's a game almost guaranteed to be a spectacle, with Steve Marshall and Paul Vines on the same pitch any mistakes are sure to be punished, a truly mouthwatering prospect.

Maidstone play at VCD tonight (24th) in the KOFL Premier Division Cup group C and, much to the dislike of Maidstone supporters, their home game against Deal Town on Saturday has now been switched from the league to a PDC game. This is the last chance for Deal to break their PDC duck, while three points for the Stones from either match would put them ahead of VCD at the top of the group. The group winners have home advantage against Beckenham Town in the quarter finals, the runners up are drawn away at Lordswood.

Back to the KOFL Premier, Erith & Belvedere play host to the Sporting Bengals, before you skip this paragraph it's worth noting that the Deres only managed a draw up at the Mile End Stadium, and the form book shows E&B have only one point from the last three league matches at home. Add to that, that Sporting beat Greenwich up 4-1 in their last league match and you begin to see the beautiful simplicity of our game, 11 blokes against 11 other blokes, in a field, all trying to hit a fishing net with an inflated pigs bladder. Marvellous! Who'll win? You'd be daft not to back Erith & Belvedere now under new management?.. wouldn't you?

Also breathing down our necks are Thamesmead Town, they have a home tie against Martin Ford's in form VCD Athletic, unbeaten in the last three away. Last weekend's terrific result in the FA Vase will really buoy the Vickers and with the prospect of returning to Oakwood next season there's a good vibe within the club. Tough opposition for Mead then, who got turned over 2-3 at the beginning of the month (last home league fixture) by Erith & Belvedere. Even with a fixture backlog already looming I think VCD should make the top 5 this year, providing they can remain injury free, and I tip them to take the points this weekend.

Somewhat easier to pre-assign the points to Slade Green and Herne Bay who are both on the road this Saturday at Greenwich Borough and Sevenoaks respectively. Points that will reignite Bays and Greens league challenges, and add further misery to Boro' and Oaks season. Greenwich have been improving of late but they are bound to be suffering the Blues come 5 o'clock while Sevenoaks, who can't buy a goal in the league, are gonna get slayed!

Erith Town play at Lordswood on Saturday. The Dockers were a much improved side when they faced Whitstable in the PDC last week and could well rise from last spot in the league if they can put an end to their run of five defeats on the bounce in away games. Lordswood will need no further encouragement to take the points as they too can get back amongst the action at the top of the table. Predict a tight game and I'd back the draw.

There's a meaningful PDC fixture tomorrow (Wednesday 25th) as Hythe Town travel to Sporting Bengal Utd with cup aspirations. This could be a useful confidence boost for the weekend when Tunbridge Wells travel down to the east coasters in the league. Both sides have been performing in fits and starts this year and although Hythe have been doing well in cup competitions they can't get their act together for the league, repeatedly losing by the odd goal. Wells would do well to win this one, but I think Richard Sinden and Co. are good enough to put an end to the Reds current 4 game losing streak.

Also on Saturday the WTFC Reserves travel to Ramsgate for a Division 1 game. The division leaders Thamesmead do not play and the Ressies are 4 points behind with two games in hand.

See you all down at the Belmont, "Come on you Reds!"

Peter Albin. 24th January