Whitstable Town FC

Town win stuns Beckenham: WTFC 2 Beckenham 0

It raises questions for two reasons, one it was clearly a charge in the back, not shoulder-to-shoulder but a foul and should have clearly have been a penalty. Second, if as suggested it was ?too early the game? then why would it not be given at any time in the game, the first minute, the eight minute or the last. A foul is foul. Other than that he coped well enough, but it was still disappointing to see him book four or five players in what could never be described as a dirty game!

Picture: Town players celebrate the first goal: Enough of the officials, lets concentrate on the football which was at times of the highest standard. Both sides played some delightful stuff, at the back for Whitstable Gary Sayer on one flank with Tom Parker on the other, never took a chance against the visitor?s pacey attack of Junior Kadi and the Kent Leagues leading scorer Paul Vines. When safety first was the only option it was applied but when able Whitstable built patiently from the back, Marcos Perona and Gary Ward with player manager Marc Seager in the middle was a new combination for Whitstable. Although at time they gave the ball away with passes that lacked weight, they also caused the visitors defence a few early scares, Beckenham?s keeper Rob Tolfrey raging at his defence for letting Town run at them. Neither keeper had any real saves to make both defences were rock solid in the last ten yards, except Steve Marshall had a gpood shout for goal ruled off-side, which was debatable, Marshall's finish was first class. At the other end young Sam Mott, Whitstable's keeper had little to do, whatever chances came the visitors way, he was equal to.  The best chances for Whitstable came in the 40^th minute when Aaron Knight shot just over Tolfrey?s crossbar, then Perona?s snap shot beat the visiting keeper but just evaded the upright.

 Half Time: WTFC 0 Beckenham 0

At the restart the crowd were buzzing at the prospect of more good football. Both sets of supporters acknowledging how tight the game had been in the first half. ?One goal should win it? seemed the general consensus of opinion.

The visitors should have gone ahead in the 52^nd minute after the restart, Ellis Green shooting over Sam Mott?s crossbar when well placed. At the back for the visitors, Asher Hudson and Peter Adeniyi were strong but could do nothing about the space created by Gary Ward?s delightful through ball in the 55^th minute into the stride of Hossick, the young mid-fielder bursting through into the visitors box seemed the stumble; but he managed to regain his footing in time to coolly slot the ball past Tolfrey. Town players rightly celebrated but you wondered was it enough as the visitors immediately responded with some neat passing moves, which at times threatened Whitstable?s defence.

But Town held firm; well marshalled by skipper Any Keir with Rob Thomas alongside their work rate never faltered and they did all that was asked of them by coach Simon Halsey. ?We worked hard in training this week on closing players down, if they want to knock the ball about across their back four then let them. But when they get into midfield we then made sure we closed then down as quickly ads possible.? He said after the game.

Seager was replaced by Darren Bridges, as Whitstable went in search of a second goal, When it came in the 79^th minute it was again through good work by Ward, this time his delightful pass found Perona, who waited till the last possible moment before shooting low and hard past Tolfrey. Town were now in the box seat they played higher up the pitch. and pushed on inviting the visitors to exploit the spaces but they were able to offer no worthwhile shot on Mott?s goal. It must be said his calm and steady performance between the posts, in particular his cool handling at Beckenham?s corner kicks and high balls into the area went a long way in securing the victory. It was a solid performance by the whole team.

Team: Sam Mott: Tom Parker: Rob Thomas: Andy Kier: (capt) Gary Sayer: Gary Ward: Marcos Perona: Marc Seager: (Bridges) Aaron Knight: Alex Hossick: Steve Marshall: