VCD halt Towns unbeaten run: WTFC 0 v VCD 2 Kent League: The Belmont Ground 11^th March 2006:The ?Vickers? finally halted Whitstable?s 13 match unbeaten run in the Kent League stretching back to last October with goals in the first and second half after Marc Seager?s side slumped to their worst display at the Belmont for over two years. Unable to muster a single shot on target in the whole of the 90 minutes they struggled in all areas on a heavy surface, the match in doubt until an 11am inspection by a local referee passed the pitch fit for play.That the visitors coped better on the surface did little to gloss overt the fact that Town were 2^nd to the ball time in almost every challenge, when they did have the ball they either surrendered possession with alarming ease or simple passes went astray giving the ball straight back to the opposition.

Seager elected to play Tom Parker as an attacking wingback, something that Town have lacked in resent games with new signing Liam from Deal playing in Parker?s position of left back, Liam did well enough on his debut and showed glimpses of why Seager?s was so keen to sign him. The only shot remotely on target for Whitstable in the first 45 minutes came from a Seager free kick which went sailing over Grant Wallis crossbar, whilst at the other end Town keeper Mark Hickson need to be sharp saving with his feet from Danny Penny and keeping out a half chance from James Brown.

James Brown. VCD took the lead after a defensive lapse allowed them to gain possession of the ball in their own half, finding their player wide on the left, who?s cross field pass to Kevin Winchcombe in space, gave him time to drop one shoulder feint to the right then turn inside and fire in a nice ball wide of the diving Hickson to put the visitors in the driving seat. Whitstable could offer nothing in reply despite the very vocal encouragement of their fans, bolstered by a number s ?travelling England Fans? and the first half petered out with VCD a goal ahead.

Half Time WTFC 0 VCD 1

Whitstable restarted with little change in tempo, Steve Marshall playing as the lone striker seemed off the pace without the quality of service needed from the midfield of Seager, Gary Ward and Marcos Perona he looked lost.

The referee, Mr Escudier?s lack of good eyesight let hem down not once, not twice but three times when standing just yards from two intentional handballs and the most blatant hauling over by VCD keeper Wallis you will ever see, except on a Ruby pitch as three clear cut penalties decisions were waved aside.

There is a branch of Spec Savers in Canterbury should Mr Escudier need directions.

On another day Whitstable would feel justifiable angry at three poor decisions by the ref, but nothing could gloss over an inept performance which fall way short of the standards Seager has set himself and his side. To rub salt into the wounds VCD took all three points with a goal that was clearly at least two yards offside, this time Mr Escudier was let down by his linesman who could share a taxi to Canterbury should he feel the need. VCD?s James Brown beating Hickson to the ball, then lofting it into the net to secure all three points for the visitors

With the end of the season almost in sight and the FA rules on step 4 and 5 promotion changing by the minute the odds are lengthening on Whitstable achieving promotion this time round. Seager though, like all involved with Whitstable will not give up hope until the last game of the season.

Full Time: WTFC 0 v VCD 2

Team: Mark Hickson: Gary Sayer, Tom Parker, Andy Keir Rob Thomas, Michael Adcock, Alex Hossick, Gary Ward, Marc Seager, Marcus Perona, Steve Marshall,

Subs: Mark Lane. Ian Hossick: Rob Thomas: Andy Constable: Aaron Knight: