Whitstable Town FC

Weather permitting there will be a full programme of fixtures in the Kent Football League this Saturday, featuring, amongst others, a local derby at the Belmont Road ground. Faversham Town are the welcome guests of Whitstable Town Football Club. Should the weather gods smile on us the Lilywhites will be keen to exact their revenge over the Oystermen for their recent 3-0 defeat in the Premier Division Cup.

In fact Whitstable have beaten them twice in this their first season back in the KL, and both the previous matches have been affected by the weather. The single goal defeat at Salter's lane was in a torrential thunder storm and the PDC game on a rain sodden Belmont pitch which only just passed inspection a couple of hours beforehand. Both sets of fans would welcome an honest footballing contest in which the elements do not play a part. Having said that it is a local event that many would not miss whatever the climatic conditions, crowds of 394 and 212 gathered for the previous meetings which were both sodden mid-week affairs. With the Reds in good position to press for promotion, can we draw that magic 400 gate for a KL fixture this week? Keep an eye on the forecast and I'll see you on the terraces. 

Keeping a close eye on events on the north Kent coast will be second spot Croydon who play host to Slade Green. Green have lost their last seven away fixtures which doesn't look great for them when you realise the Trams haven't lost at home this season. Done and dusted then? No not quite, without high expectations there is an opportunity for Green to play in more relaxed way. Traditionally not a bad KL team, if they can nick an early goal they could unsettle the home side, crazy I know but I fancy Slade Green to come away with a draw or better against all form.

A really evenly balanced contest should unfold as an in-form Deal Town play at Thamesmead Town. Mead have settled down again after a slight wobble and have won the last three at home (excluding tomorrow's scheduled match v Erith & Belvedere) hoping to restore the former 'fortress' status of Bayliss Avenue. Probably one of the current sides who could ruin their plans are Deal who have won their last three on the road. With the curse of the Jacetts Jacket being non-existant this season winning manager of the month for February will do them no harm and they should give a good account of theirselves. Winners in black and white hoops I fancy, redressing the 1-3 hiding they received at home.

In fourth, as I write, are another form side Hythe Town, winners of their last three KL games and unbeaten in the last ten at home they entertain Sevenoaks Town. Oaks have been up and down all season and got beat last weekend by Kent County side Bearsted in the Kent Senior Trophy semi-final. I can't see it getting any brighter for their fans this weekend, even a draw at Reachfields should prove too much to ask. Hythe to improve on their 2-1 away win in November.

Still heading down the table we find VCD Athletic in fifth (before Thursday evening's game v Beckenham) with games in hand due to weather and Vase commitments. They pit their wits against their old landlords Lordswood who aren't exactly inspiring away from home having lost the last three on the road. The outcome will be closely watched by all the other front runners, keen to learn of Vickers current form after a long break from league action. I think it will be a close game which could swing either way, at this stage I back the home side to take the points, just shading it over ninety minutes. Once again Vickers will have a very busy schedule to fulfill before season's end, perhaps their undoing once more?

Superficially evenly matched, placed 6th and 7th, there is a seven point gap below Greenwich Borough to the home side Beckenham Town, as I write, who have also played three games more. Borough still have strong league ambitions and will need to sweep aside Becks who are vulnerable at this time having lost their early momentum. Once in a while a side will put four or five past decent opposition and my seaweed says Greenwich should be on song this week.

Herne Bay should be able to return to winning ways as Erith Town visit Winch's Field bringing with them a 'lost last eight' record. The recent renaissance of the Blues has flickered in the last couple of matches, but their light should be burning bright again by five o'clock Saturday. Still not too late for a run of results which, with ten games left, could still easily put them somewhere in the top five, not bad after a poor start.

Good news for second to bottom Tunbridge Wells, they are at home to the rock bottom side, Sporting Bengal United, and a win should be on the cards. In fact three points will lift them up another place assuming the natural course of events at Herne Bay. Not wanting to tempt fate but, well done lads see if you can't remain undefeated to the end of the season. Consider the gauntlet thrown!

Erith & Belvedere have no game this weekend.

The Whitstable Town Reserves are at Erith Town in Division One, anyone still on the A2 from Friday nights rush hour or escaping a visit to the in-laws will be most welcome. Bring a plastic bag to sit on as the bucket seats ( B&Q oh! Not Ricarro) fill with water when it's been raining.

Wherever you watch your football, enjoy!

Peter Albin - 07/03/07