Whitstable Town FC

Like a script from a Roy Race cartoon the last day of the Kentish Observer Football League season is set to thrill. As well as the title remaining in the balance between Maidstone and Beckenham, so too does third spot which this season carries the chance of Ryman League Football for two of the three contenders. All that Whitstable Town can do is to post a win at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday and trust that other results will fall in their favour. The Wells have had a poor second half of the season, after riding high in the league for three months the elevator started to descend finally stabilising around mid-table. Although their fixtures have been sparse of late they beat Deal away from home last weekend following a draw at Lordswood on the 12th. The Reds have returned to winning ways with two workman like two to zero wins over Sevenoaks and Greenwich. Terrific results from two tricky fixtures which, as predicted, weren't as straight forward as their league positions might have suggested. To be in with any chance of third Town need to win and to improve that chance they need to win by three goals.

That three goal margin would give Whitstable a better goal difference than Thamesmead Town, who appear to be in the driving seat for third but who also have withdrawn their ground grading application which means they can't gain promotion, that promotion spot will then be lost to all. Two points ahead of Town they need to beat their visitors, Hythe Town, to assure themselves of that place. How to gauge form? Mead weren't at the races against Whitstable the other week, excepting their goal keeper, and yet managed to give Lordswood a three goal thrashing seven days later. Hythe have had a poor season by their own standards, winning in fits and starts. In the last two games they have beaten Sporting four nil and made a good fist of it but losing by the odd goal in three against Beckenham Town. Either side could snatch victory but I predict a low score draw.

Erith & Belvedere are the other interested party who now find themselves in the unenviable position of entertaining Beckenham Town who also need the three points to assure themselves of the league title. For both I fear a draw will not be good enough and the match will be a nail biter for all present at Park View Road. The Deres saw their winning streak come to an end when Herne Bay stole the points last Saturday, which removed them from the promotions driving seat. Becks just carry on winning and are looking to make it twenty three wins out of thirty in the league for this season. The quality of the football will depend on the resolve of their back lines, could be a tight nervous match for both or an early goal will surely set the fuse for a spectators dream. A close call but I expect Becks will take maximum points and the title.

Already assured of promotion Maidstone United will be praying that Erith & Belvedere have the greater hunger as they need Beckenham to drop points for them to have a chance of the title. Currently on the same tally their goal difference is inferior by fourteen goals, all they can do is post three points from their match at Sevenoaks and await the final totting up. Sevenoaks are playing well, as witnessed at the Belmont recently, and will make stiff opposition. They play at home against VCD tonight (Weds. 19th) and will be determined to lift themselves out of wooden spoon position, if they do it tonight they won't want to return there on Saturday if they don't their resolve will be all the stronger against the Stones. Having said that I'll still put my money on Maidstone to sneak it, but only by a single goal.

VCD's last league match is at home to Erith Town, unsurprisingly Vickers tanks are running low on fuel after a mammoth season, including a great FA Vase run, which has resulted in the end of season fixture crush of cup and league games. Erith will be wanting to avoid the basement position while VCD's focus should now be on the Premier League Cup final. A win for the Dockers should be assured.

Deal Town will be looking to pour the concrete into Sporting Bengal United's overshoes at the Mile End Road Stadium. With the worst goal record of the KOF League Sporting really do deserve last place, their quality and sometimes even their demeanour has been reported as questionable this season, there needs to be an enormous improvement over the summer to justify their participation at this level of competition. Deal had so many aspirations when at one time they held a great fistful of games in hand over the leaders, those games have gone and the best they can now achieve is last place in the top half of the table. Deal to take the points, four or five to nil.

Also after eighth spot Lordswood travel to Slade Green who might have the opportunity to jump Tunbridge in the table. Lordswood just have the edge in form whereas Green will be looking to bounce back from a couple of thumpings that they've recently taken from Beckenham, Deal and VCD (an aggregate score of 13-2!). From a spectator's viewpoint I believe this could be the most entertaining game of the weekend although it lacks the frissant of other more important games. Lordswood to win in a two sided goalfest!

Our north Kent neighbours, Herne Bay, play out their season at Winch's Field against Greenwich Borough. In what is a meaningless match in terms of league position for Boro', the Blues have the opportunity to finish on a high note. Having played a part in setting up the top of the table melee it's a shame their last home game should be such an anticlimax. Bay need the points to be assured of finishing above VCD and should carry the day by a couple of goals margin. After finishing runners up last year sixth place will surely seem as bad as last place but as they showed last weekend they are still one of our top clubs and will be sure to be there or thereabouts again next season.

Congratulations to the management and players of Whitstable Town Reserves for clinching runners up spot in Division 1 this week. They play at the Belmont on Saturday in their last league fixture against Maidstones Reserves, who are coached by a certain Matt Toms. I'm sure he'll get a warm welcome from the gasworks terraces.

Come on you Reds!        Peter Albin, 19th April