Whitstable Town FC

Peter Albin

So much football, so few words!

The focus returns to the Kent League this week and unless you follow VCD or Thamesmead you will have two fixtures (one home and one away) to look forward to over the next seven days.

On Saturday Whitstable Town travel to Erith Town. Erith will be looking to reverse their fortunes having lost away at Hythe to a late goal and then at home in the FA cup to Hailsham Town. Whitstable so far have two goals and two wins in league and cup and will be hoping for a better goals advantage from this fixture. Difficult in a sports stadium that lacks atmosphere, as witnessed by good travelling support for the Reds last season.

Playing derby games on August bank holiday Monday should draw better crowds than the previous 'new year' arrangements, weather permitting of course. One of the biggest gates of the Kent League season will be at the Belmont Road ground as our near neighbours Herne Bay visit for the first of our traditionally hard fought Reds v Blues encounters. Although there is always great rivalry between the two camps the banter between fans is always in good spirit which generates a great atmosphere inside the ground, before during and after the game. Two draws last year spoilt Town's final points tally, let's not do that again! Besides which, we owe them one for putting us out of the League Cup.

Herne Bay's game on the Saturday is at home against three time losers Tunbridge Wells, should be Bay's points all day long. A tough start for the Wells could get a bit better on Monday as they host Sevenoaks who have a win and a draw to date in the league. A draw is probably the likely outcome.

Two days earlier, on Saturday, Oaks have another evenly matched contest against Slade Green. Although home advantage will probably shade the result in favour of Tunbridge Wells, winners by the odd goal. Green's holiday derby game is at home against Erith Town (KO 12.00), and providing the Oystermen have softened them up, the trip across the south circular should be the highlight of the Dockers day. Slade Green should find this one a stroll in the park.

VCD Athletic have no game on Saturday and find themselves away on Monday at Erith & Belvedere. The Deres are going to be a tough nut to crack this year and Vickers will need to be well prepared to get anything from this weekend, I can't envisage anything but another three points for the Deres. A tougher assignment for E&B is on Saturday away at Hythe Town, not the Deres favoured ground I'm tipping the Reds to record one of Erith & Belvederes few defeats this season.

Providing that goes to plan then Hythe can also carry the day away against old rivals Deal Town on the Monday. A late winner against Slade Green and a poor defeat in the FA cup won't have inspired confidence in the Deal side, Hythe with more than a few points to prove this year will grind out a result in this traditionally stoical confrontation.

Deal travel to Beckenham on Saturday, Becks took Tunbridge Wells apart last weekend and might do the same to their visitors. A long way to go for little reward. Not so far for Beckenham to travel two days later as they play at Croydon (KO 11.00). Croydon will be pleased to be playing at home at last and hoping that some home support will raise their game. Still very much an unknown quantity, a decent derby atmosphere might make the difference necessary to turn the tide for the Trams. Although they won't agree I think a draw will be a great result for them. I suspect they will still be seeking a win then as they are at Lordswood on the Saturday. Lords are a competent outfit, especially at home, and should make easy work of the 'new boys'.

Perhaps a different story on Monday when Lordswood travel to the other 'new kids on the block' Faversham Town. Faversham are drawing a terrific gate at the moment and Salter's Lane can be a daunting place to visit. I would still fancy Lordswood to travel back up the M2 with a point in their pocket. A great day out in prospect for those very same Faversham supporters on Saturday as they take in the pleasant prospect of Greenwich Borough. In new territory and almost certain to be trailing at half time, Faversham will do well to come up with a game plan to recover in the second half. I figure too little too late and three points to Kent League leaders Boro'. Who'd a thunk it?

All of which leaves the small matter of Thamesmead versus Sporting Bengal United on Saturday which should go Mead's way and Bengal again hosting Boro' on Wednesday night which could go any which way!?..I've just checked the seaweed, shock defeat for Greenwich!

Wherever you are this week enjoy your football and?