Whitstable Town FC

This Saturday's match of course! And what many consider to be another six pointer as Whitstable Town travel to the Charles Sports Ground to face Deal Town, on current form the best team in the KOF League. Showing ninth in the table, mostly as a result of playing fewer games, they are unbeaten in the last six league matches (won the last four at home) and are averaging over 2 points per game for the whole season. Another tough match for Andy Keir's side who are themselves unbeaten in the last 10 league games. The last time Kylie, the inflatable Deal supporter, saw the teams meet was in August when Deal won 2-3 at the Belmont, ex-oysterman John Utterson stealing victory in added time. That was only the second game of the season and since then the Reds have lost just once and have risen from last to third place scoring over forty league goals on the way. Should be a cracking game, see you down there for, as we all witnessed last week, 'Revenge can be sweet'.

Home games for first and second placed clubs this weekend, Maidstone play lowly Sevenoaks while Beckenham Town host Lordswood. The Stones should have the easier task, although the Oaks won their last away match it was at the Mile End Stadium. Maidstone have only lost one in eight at home, that was against Lordswood in early January, who will now try to repeat the trick at Beckenham. In sixth place due to some inconsistent form Lordswood need to put together a string of results to stay in touch with the top of the table. I don't envisage any shock results.

One for the statisticians out there, last weeks results mean that it is now mathematically impossible for Maidstone United to finish in last place! Similarly, topping the table is now out of the reach of Greenwich Borough who can only collect a maximum of 40 points with a 100% winning record to the end of the season. Their road to lower table ignominy begins with a trip to Tunbridge Wells who had a good win last weekend. Should Borough get a result it would be their first win on the road this year, so Wells must be favourite, they are showing signs of steady improvement and I think they will probably be a top eight side when the counting's done.

With their sights firmly set on Whitstable's third place Thamesmead Town and Erith & Belvedere are both playing away from home, at Slade Green and VCD Athletic respectively. Fourth placed Mead managed just a point in their previous fixture against Green in August, likewise for E&B, just a point at PVR against VCD in September. Interestingly the latter two sides' records in league matches for Dere's away and VCD at home are identical - W5 D1 L3. In my opinion Vickers and Green have both improved their game enough in mid season that home advantage should win them maximum points. Could be good news then for WTFC who might open up a four points gap with a game in hand at the final whistle.

Herne Bay versus Sporting Bengal United again! I was convinced they have played this fixture four times already, but checking the KOFL website I'm wrong, they were in the same group in the PDC which lead to my confusion. The results show two wins and a draw to Bay, and probably a third win Saturday afternoon. The Blues are unbeaten in five, Sporting are looking for their first point away from home since September.

Finally Hythe Town at Erith Town, in the league the Reds have lost their last 5 the Dockers their last 8. So someone's run has to end on Saturday I'm just not sure which one? A month ago I would have backed Hythe without hesitation now I'm not as sure. I'll put my money on Erith, based on their performance against Whitstable in the cup and the likelihood of few HTFC supporters travelling the length of the county to witness this spectacle. Could the last one out please switch off the lights!

Followers of Whitstable Town Reserves can look forward to a competitive game as 4th spot Dartford visit the Belmont. The ressies are four points behind divisional leaders Thamesmead (with one game in hand) who play at home against Maidstone.