Whitstable Town FC

Town edge nearer as Croydon drop points...

Picture: Gary Sayer whoes comeback lasted just 25 minutes: League leaders Whitstable Town travelled to nearest challengers Croydon in a top of the table clash in the Kent League Premier Division on Saturday. Marc Seager's men were without the previously ever present Kevin Fewell in goal his replacement was former Town youngster Rob French who came in on loan from Gravesend & Northfleet.  Gary Sayer and Tommy Martin also returned to the starting eleven after injury.The home side who were narrowly beaten 1-0 at The Belmont on the opening day of the season were on an unbeaten four match run so a close game was to be expected.   It was the South London side who looked the more dangerous in the opening stages with Ray Freeman and Neil John looking lively in attack. It was John who forced a superb save out of French with the on loan keeper pushing the ball over for a corner.   Town were dealt a blow when Sayer went down with his troublesome hamstring injury and was replaced by the versatile Michael Adcock at right back. The deadlock was broken by the visitors when after 14 minutes experienced midfielder Jimmy Strouts superby beat Danny Harwood in the home goal from the right hand side of the box.   From this point on chances were at a premium on a dust bowl of a pitch with neither side really testing either sides keeper.   Dickson Gill's side continued to threaten the league leaders goal in the second half but Centre Backs Rob Thomas and Jackson Ohakam dealt with anything that came into the box.   One scare Whitstable had was when a free kick was spilled by French only for the youngster to recover well and gather the ball at the second attempt. The home side kept their slim title challenge alive when on 78 minutes the ever dangerous John headed past the despairing dive of French to equalize for the hosts. The game became more open but chances were at a premium with Andy Constable and Stuart King being marked tightly by the Croydon defenders.   With the full time whistle blown by Mr Cole a draw was probably a fair result for two of the Kent League's best footballing sides. The Reds remain eight points clear of The Trams with a game in hand.   WHITSTABLE 1. French 2. Sayer( Adcock ) 3. Gess 4. Thomas 5. Ohakam 6. Martin 7. Hossick 8. Perona. 9. King 10. Constable 11. Strouts. Subs Not Used Lane, Button, Akinde, Keir Attendance 105

 

< Prev		Next >