Whitstable Town FC

A footballing feast. Hythe Town visit the Belmont this evening as an 'appetiser' to this

Peter Albin

Also playing in the Kent Football League Premier tonight, third place Thamesmead Town travel to Erith & Belvedere who are in twelfth. Yet to win at home the Deres fans must be hurting bad, but Mead aren't quite as daunting away from Bayliss Avenue and are beatable on the road. Three points for E&B would rocket them up the table in which 4th to 13th spans only four points and they might just get 'em.

A 'reborn' Sevenoaks Town side entertain an improving Sporting Bengal United at Greatness Park. Oaks have had an encouraging start to their season with three wins out of the last three matches, and although they have yet to play any of the 'hot' sides they should be more than a match for Sporting. Also in the pack are Lordswood and Herne Bay who meet at Lordswood. Both sides need a win, a draw not being much use to either, which hopefully should produce a spirited encounter. A good one to witness, I suspect, if you are in the area this evening. A narrow win for the Lords.

On Thursday night (28th) VCD Athletic will be welcoming Croydon for the first match at their new Oakwood ground. No doubt Vickers fans will be buzzing with excitement which could affect the players. I hope first night nerves don't get the better of Martin Ford's side and they open their new account with three points.

A good program in the Kent League on Saturday 30th, while Town play in the FA Cup others will be attempting to snitch first place. Faversham Town travel to bottom spot Tunbridge Wells for what appears to be a 'done deal', but they shouldn't underestimate the seasoned campaigners. A good couple of results in the Vase and a competitive 2-2 draw at Erith & Belvedere shows some fire still smoulders within. I certainly wouldn't count them out playing at home. I'd like to make a prediction for Roger Bennett, editor of the Faversham programme, but it's really too close to call.

Thamesmead Town host local rivals Erith Town and will be favourites with a 100% home record thus far. The Dockers, in contrast, only have four points from twenty-one and look dead certs to return empty handed.

Hythe Town will be hoping for a repeat of their recent form against Lordswood, who they beat in a Cup replay 6-0. Lordswood will be hoping for a performance more akin the 2-2 draw at Reachfields that set up that game. The score at the weekend ought to be somewhere between, something like 3-2 Hythe.

Sevenoaks are given the acid test at VCD Athletic, a match which should be a good indicator of their true potential. A lot will depend on the availability of VCD's first choice players and Oaks might just be meeting them at an opportune time to steal all three points.

Beckenham Town's sharp shooters Ashley Carew and Ross Cable have a chance to increase their goal tally at home against Sporting Bengal United. I can't see how Sporting can maintain their recently improving defensive record against this pairing, to keep it close will be a terrific performance. Becks to go top six.

10th, 11th, 12th and 14th spot (as I write) play to stay in the hunt as Slade Green visit Herne Bay and Erith & Belvedere travel to Deal Town. Bay have a 100% home record which they will be looking to maintain whereas Green are looking for their first away win, this will be stiffest test at Winch's Field so far and I guess both figures will get spoiled, one-nil to the visitors. Deal should prevail with a home crowd spurring on their side to a comfortable win.

Greenwich Borough and Croydon do not have a game and the Whitstable Town reserves match is postponed because of the Cup game.

Late amendment, Croydon will now be playing a KL Premier League Cup match at Greenwich Borough.

Wherever you watch your football, Bon appetit!