Whitstable Town FC

Mickey Lane

The home side won a succession of corners but a few scrambled clearances aside they failed to test Whitstable who defended in numbers. Manager Marc Seager demanding that Whitstable up the tempo, they responded with chances for Perona, and his mid-field partner Alex Hossick and striker Sam Prett before Lane scored in the 38^th minute. Lane?s goal was set up firstly by Marshall, and then Button linked well with Prett who played in a neat pass for Lane to run onto, Lane?s chipped left footed shot sailed over the fingertips of Erith keeper Craig Clark.

Whitstable's defence with captain Shane Davis and Josh Maine steadfast at the back held firm. For the home side the only real threat were coming from down both flanks as Kris Wollidge on one and Dominic Websdale on the other tested Whitstable?s Rob Thomas and Gary Sayer.

Half Time: Erith Town 0 Whitstable Town 2

As expected the home side came out with more intent, but they were well contained by Michael Adcock who alongside Maine looked a formidable partnership, Adcock replaced Shane Davis at half time. Not content to dwell on their two-goal lead the visitors pressed at every opportunity, with Marshall and Prett both denied by Clark when through on goal. Marshall in a particular looked to be back to his best; his direct running and cleaver holding up of the ball to bring others into the game was a joy to watch. Whitstable?s third was again after some great patient build up play, the ball finally played wide to Lane whose great whipped in cross wet met by a firm header from Prett to put the visitors in complete control.

At three-nil up Whitstable played some neat football, never overlooking the need to defend as the home side tried to claw their way back into the match. Goal scorer Button was carried from the pitch with a suspected hamstring injury after a robust challenge, his replacement Jake Gess missed an absolute sitter after Marshall?s pin-point cross found Gess un-marked just four yards from goal. He somehow glanced his header wide. Marshall then missed two great chances himself, the first with just Clark to beat, when he shot just wide. Then after some great approach play Marshall was hauled down inside the area, Clarke making a great penalty save to his left, his teammates scrambling the ball away as Marshall, Prett and Perona pounced. With two minutes of the match remaining Whitstable made in four-nil after Darren Price turned a great low driven cross by Perona into his own net, with Marshall and Hossick breathing down his neck.