Whitstable Town FC

by Peter Albin: It's table topping football at the Belmont Road ground this Saturday 31st March. Not for the first team though, as the Whitstable Town Reserves take the stage in a 'six point' game at the top of Division One. The visitors, Thamesmead Town, head the table just one point in front of Town. In short the winners of this one will be top on Saturday evening.

A position both sides have enjoyed through the season. Now with only four games left, including this one, Whitstable's reserve squad need to maximise points. Mead do have a two game advantage and will be feeling the more comfortable of the two sides. Rumour has it Steve Marshall could make an appearance on his way back to fitness following a long absence due to injury. Quite likely to see one or two other familiar first team faces getting some match practice as well. The first division looks to be between three, Mead, Maidstone and Whitstable, why not pop down and wish them well.

The first team have no game as they take their turn at missing a Saturday fixture due to the odd number of teams in the Kent Premier League. Elsewhere though there are some very important games going on at the top of the KL.

Second place Croydon are at home this weekend to Greenwich Borough, who lie in fifth. Both sides are still 'live' in the race for the title and have much to play for. From what I have seen this season, in performances against Whitstable Town, Borough certainly appear the stronger and could snatch the points from under the Trams nose, that would put Boro' only three behind their adversaries. A win for the home side would put them just three off the leaders. Whatever the result, a cracking game of football should unfold. Naturally I'm going to sit on the fence and predict a draw.

Also with aspirations of winning the league are VCD Athletic who travel a couple of miles along the road to Thamesmead Town. Mead are back on form knocking three past Herne Bay in the week as are Vickers who replaced the home side in third by beating Sporting Bengal Thursday night. Yet more great football in prospect, Vickers have the advantage in the table by having played fewer games and a win for Mead would help redress the balance. Difficult to call, I'll back the home side with the VCD defence looking vulnerable.

One more title contender left in the hunt, Hythe Town. To have any chance at all they need to win their remaining seven games starting at home against Beckenham Town. Becks are one of the 'hot and cold' sides this season either brilliant or disappointing and seldom in between. Depending which team turns up on Saturday depends the outcome of the game, to be honest Hythe probably have enough about them to win in either case. Having played them three times in the last three weeks I was impressed with their desire and belief. One of the fittest sides I've seen, I'll back them all the way to take the points this weekend.

Now for the also-rans. Striving for a top six finish we have Erith & Belvedere who travel to Lordswood. Some signs of a return to form for both sides in recent times leads me to expect a high tempo, highly charged match. Well worth a watch for Deres fans who are reluctant to travel with their team. The weather might be wet and rainy and the North kent marshes won't be the most comfortable of venues this week but those that can be bothered to watch should be richly rewarded. In my mind's eye this one could be a 'goal fest' but only if the weather permits the football to be played on the floor. The outcome? I think the deres will nick it, just.

Herne Bay are at home this week against a pumped up Deal Town, while Faversham Town are on the road down in Sevenoaks. The form book says Deal and Oaks to collect maximum points, who am I to argue? Bay are sure to have had the riot act read to them this week but they need to be really on top of their game against a Deal team that rarely get rattled away from home. Oaks are getting a bit of a reputation for being over physical, that's probably enough to roll over a Faversham side who don't like to mix it on the pitch. Lovely foottie in mid-field but I don't expect them to have the time on the ball.

That leaves the cream of the crop, fourteenth down to seventeenth places. ErithTown are at home against Sporting Bengal United and poor old Tunbridge Wells host Slade Green. The first game for die hards only, low on atmosphere, low on excitement. The other game has more about it, two sides finding some good form. Unfortunately a little too late in the season, neither were in the bottom half of the table in my pre-season thoughts. A decent football game should transpire, nice atmospheric surroundings, regular support and well matched teams. Sorry Wells fans, but I fancy Green to march onwards and upwards toward mid-table respectability. Good game though.

Wherever you watch your football, enjoy it to the full!

Peter Albin - 30/03/0