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Shoreham 0 Whitstable Town 2

Shoreham 0 Whitstable Town 2

WTFC Steve Marshall

?Marshall the magnificent?

?Steve Marshal was simply magnificent today, he took his goal so well? said Whitstable?s manager Marc Seager. ?He?s 34 years old and still has the pace to terrify defences, yet there is a side to his game that often gets overlooked. He defends from the front and that alone marks him out a special talent as strikers often fail to realise its such and important part of their job, he worked non-stop throughout the game. Along with Alex Hossick who was skipper today, they were both different class.?
As early as the 2^nd minute the home side showed their intentions, Whitstable?s midfield giving away a needless free kick on the edge of the area, quickly taken by Richard Carter his shot was well stuck but Whitstable keeper Kevin Fewell was equal to, saving low down to his right.? He struck it superbly? said Fewell, ?I thought it was going to creep in at the far post but I just managed to get half a glove on it and push it out for a corner.?

Jamie Groves left of picture (on line) handles ball

Four minutes later Whitstable silenced the small group of home side supporters with a goal set up by the emerging Jake Gess whose pass from midfield split the home sides defensive centerback?s giving Marshall the yard of space needed to bust through on Shoreham?s goal. Their keeper, Ronan Callaghan stayed on his feet as long as he could before Marshall shrugged off one defender before drawing the keeper then coolly rounding him to slide the ball into an empty net. Whitstable upped the pace trying to pass the ball on the uneven surface whilst Shoreham were content to clear their lines and pump long clearances almost every time the visitors threatened. With the slight slop working in their favour and aided by a breeze blowing from one goalmouth to the other, their keeper?s clearances were meat and drink for Towns back four in front of keeper Fewell.

Marshall had the ball in the net again shortly after, this time he was adjudged offside but it was marginal. Up front with Marshall Stuart King caused Shoreham?s giant defenders Danny Gainsford and Matt Hurley almost as many problems as Marshall, both are direct in your face types of players who are both strong in the tackle. King received a booking for his over exuberance, with Marshal cajoling him and encouraging him to work harder when the home side had the ball. Whitstable took a grip on the game and although not playing at their best were in control through the first half, Seager leading off his side one nil to the good after the first 45minutes.

Half Time: Shoreham 0 Whitstable Town 1

6ft 7in Danny Gainsford v Steve Marshall

Town came out with their ears ringing after manager Seager let them know in no uncertain terms he was demanding more from them, ?Shoreham are a big strong side, said Seager, ?I thought we did not how enough character in the first half, that we had just done enough and I told them that I wanted more from them. The second half was better and the clean sheet was very encouraging as it makes it six wins out of six with only one goal conceded.?

Still the home side persisted in their long ball tactics, when they were able to prises an opening, down the flanks Gary Say on one, Tom Parker on the other were more the up to the job. Mickey lane and Marlon Button on the flanks for the visitors both started to get more joy out wide. Lane and Button both sent in some teasing crosses while King was tough leading the line with Marshall. King was replaced by Sam Prett, the nippy forward creating a different type of problem for the home side, his quick incisive turns and running off the ball kept the home side pegged back

WTFC manager Marc Seager

Whitstable extended their lead after Gess then Marshall set Button loose wide left, he shaped to cross but dropped a shoulder and ran directly at Callaghan?s goal, letting fly with a dipping shot that Callaghan could only fingertip into his net in the 60^th minute. Moments later Town should have gone further ahead Tom Parker?s corner was only half cleared before Jamie Groves standing on the line made a great job as a stand in keeper, handling Hossick?s header on the goal line. The ref showed him a straight red, but skipper for the day Alex Hossick?s spot kick was well saved low down to his right by Callaghan.

As is often the case Shoreham?s ten men performed better than eleven after they sent the giant 6ft 7inch ex Crystal Palace player Danny Gainsford up front they at last started to pressure the visitors.

Ronan Callaghan saves Alex Hosick's penalty

However it was Whitstable who had the ball in the net for the forth time, Gess?s strike into the back of Shoreham?s net from a another corner ruled was out after the ref spotted pushing in the area., Gess?s late run into the area would have been a goal straight off the training pitch. A hamstring injury to Rob Thomas gave Whitstable supporters a first chance to see the inclusion of Izwnna Jackson Okiakam, ?Jackson? did all that was asked of him the short while he was on the pitch. Gary Carter ten made his debut, Tom Parker making way for the ex Dartford player who like ?Jackson? was up to the pace of the game from his first kick.

Town eased into the Second Round Qualifying round to be played on Saturday September 23rd where they face Oakwood and yet another away Cup trip to Sussex

Whitstable Team:

Kevin Fewell: Gary Sayer: Michael Adcock: Rob Thomas: Tom Parker: Alex Hossick: Mickey Lane: Jake Gess: Marlon Button: Stuart King: Steve Marshall:

Subs: Gary Carter: Lee Jones: Mark Lane: Izwnna Jackson Okiakam; Same Prett:

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