Whitstable Town FC

GESS SETTLES RESERVES DERBY CLASSIC: Herne Bay Reserves: 3 v Whitstable Town Reserves: 4 Kent League ? Division 1 Reports: Simon Kay 

Jake Gess was the man to settle this pulsating derby between Bay and Town Reserves but it was Andy Martin who hauled Town back into it firstly by scoring just before half time to make it 2-1 to Bay and then pulling them back level to 3-3 in the second half, before Gess struck late on.

Town played some good football first half but two defensive mistakes and a superbly taken goal by Stuart King put Bay in the driving seat. Bay shot into a 2-0 lead firstly from a mistake by Sam Baker then King?s strike to shock Town but the character of this side was on full show as they battled back into it. At 2-0 down Town pressed and Martin was sent clear by Gess and he slotted into the bottom corner. But before the half Bay struck again with a neatly driven shot from the edge of the box to send them in 3-1 up at the interval.

Picture another hat-trick for Andy Martin: With a few harshly spoken words at half time Town came out and totally dominated the second half and performed a great comeback. Andy Martin got his second when he was put through clean on goal again to coolly finish and soon after Sam Prett has two golden opportunities to put Town level but he shot over on both occasions. Nick Smith came on and he, Toby Roy and Gess became very dominant in the middle of midfield. Martin completed his hat-trick in style when he ran clear of the defense to lob the Bay keeper to put Town within sight of victory. The management switched to a 4-3-3 in search of a winner and it came when Jake Gess capped an outstanding display to beat Martin Collins to the through ball and smash his shot straight past the keeper to cue great celebrations on the pitch and from the dug-out.

Town: Wright, Duffy, Davies, Baker, Harker, Bridges, Roy, Gess, Whittaker(N.Smith), Martin(Rumball), Prett. Subs: B.Smith, Rigden, Braidwood.