Whitstable Town FC

WHITSTABLE TOWN RESERVES MAKE IT TO LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Folkestone Invicta Reserves 1 v Whitstable Town Reserves 1

Aggregate 6-2 to Whitstable Town...League Cup Semi-Final 2^nd Leg

Whitstable Town Reserves are into the League Cup Final after a 1-1 draw away at Folkestone Invicta to complete a 6-2 aggregate victory and will now face Dartford who currently lie 7^th in Division 1.

After last weeks 1^st leg thumping 5-1 victory at The Belmont Town traveled to Cheriton Road looking to get the job completed and they did but it was a far from convincing performance as credit must go to Folkestone because they totally dominated the game in search of a remarkable comeback. The opening 10 minutes was a bombardment on the Town goal as firstly Folkestone took the lead after a horrible mix up between keeper Mark Hickson and Defender Ian Hossick saw striker Joe Nielson nip in to slot the ball into an empty net. Soon after it was nearly 2-0 when Simon Rainbow burst through to shoot inches wide and as the Folkestone attacks kept flowing they had the ball in the net again through Liam Friend but it was ruled out for offside. So within the first 15 minutes Town could have found themselves 3 down and with a real game on their hands. They soon upped their game though and started to create chances of their own as Andy Martin came close and Alex Hossick fired wide. The equalizer came and inevitably Town?s place in the final when Darren Bridges pulled out a superb cross which Andy Martin guided into the net for his 24^th goal of the season.

Half Time: Folkestone Invicta 1 Whitstable Town 1(Martin)

The second half just became attack after attack from Folkestone on the Whitstable goal as Town didn?t really come out second half. Maybe mentally they thought the game was over but had they played to their full potential it would have seen a far more entertaining game as Town going forward are a very capable side. Chances came for Folkestone through Rainbow, Knott and Neilson but they couldn?t quite find the back of the net. Darren Bridges, Darren Budge and Andy Martin each had a chance to put Town in front but all failed to beat the keeper. Folkestone almost took victory when Josh Maine pulled down Rob Knott in the box but Simon Rainbow?s penalty was saved superbly by Mark Hickson in the Town goal.

A Final now waits against Dartford and Town look to keep second place in the league and maybe if a slip up comes from Thamesmead they could still grab top spot. It?s going to be an exciting finish to the season for the Reserves in what has been a terrific season after last years title, promotion winning campaign.

Full Time: Folkestone Invicta 1 Whitstable Town 1(Martin) Agg: 2-6

Man Of The Match: Mark Hickson: By far Town?s best player on the night as he was the busiest player due to Folkestone dominating the game. Shaky start to gift Folkestone the lead but more than made up for it with a string of important saves and then saving a penalty to make sure Town came away with a draw after a poor performance.

Town: Hickson, I.Hossick, Davies(C), Maine(Duffy), Baker, A.Hossick(Roy), N.Smith(Rumball), Gess, Budge, Bridges, Martin. Subs: Wright, Harker.

ROUTE TO THE FINAL

Whitstable Town Reserves Route To The League Cup Final

Round 1 Away To Slade Green Won 4-1 (Budge(2), Ratchford, A.Hossick)

Round 2 Away To Lordswood Drew 1-1 (Gess)

Replay Won 4-0 (Martin(3), I.Hossick)

Quarter Final Home To Hythe Town Won 2-1 (Budge, Whittaker)

Semi-Final 1^st Leg Home To Folkestone Invicta Won 5-1 (Budge(2), Bridges, Rumball, Martin)

Semi-Final 2^nd Leg Away To Folkestone Invicta Drew 1-1 (Martin)

Final ?