Whitstable Town FC

Erith & Belvedere have a tough couple of days. Right on the heels of Tuesday's defeat at Faversham, they welcome title challengers Croydon to Park View Road on Good Friday, followed by the Town game the next day. Although the Croydon game is a 1.00pm kick off the Deres don't have much time to catch their breath before entertaining Whitstable on the same turf. Croydon can go second with a point currently behind Thamesmead on goal difference. E&B have been playing to the rquired standard since the christmas break and must be rueing their early season form. Home advantage should pay dividends at some point over 180 minutes of football and both sets of visitors will have to be alive to the threat. A point for Town would turn Hythes mathematical possibilities to dust, three would make Greenwich Borough's task unlikely as well. This will be the fourth time this year Town have taken on a side under fresh managerial control when we meet Vickers. A respectable draw at Sevenoaks before any changes could be implemented, we can expect them to be galvanised again by Easter Monday's meeting at the new Oakwood ground. Six more points could put Whitstable on the verge of doing something very special but I'm certainly not counting any chickens yet as 'Jimmy Greaves' keeps reminding us "It's a funny old game!"

Croydon play again on Monday at Sevenoaks Town, Oaks have just hit a run of form they hadn't seen since the first weeks of the season, embodied by a spirited performance from all departments. Croydon have learnt to mix it in this their first season in the KL and will be up to the challenge. I'm not sure how much football will be played but I am pretty sure that Croydon's speed of attack will unlock the Oaks defence.

However, three points can still be collected over the holiday for Oaks, as they travel to Sporting Bengal United on Saturday. I'm astonished how Sporting leak so many goals through a season. Having played them four times this year I have to go on record as saying their general standard of football has greatly improved again this year. They are quick and capable of some great passages of ball passing but, and it's quite a big but, they don't seem to work for each other when on the defence, too quick to cast individual blame. When they sort the team ethics out I think they will give a better account of theirselves, as I seem to say every spring ' Maybe next year will be the one'.

Also with two away matches, Thamesmead Town look to maintain pressure on the top sides with an away game at Beckenham Town on Saturday and a trip to Hythe Town on Monday. Beckenham appear a spent force now ensconced in mid-table and should be food and drink to Mead. Hythe at Reachfields is quite a different matter and I fancy the Reds to upset Tommy the toad. Although realistically out of contention for the title Hythe are playing with great spirit and determination and could be paving the way for a great '07-'08 season, don't discount them they still have a big part to play in the outcome of the league this year.

Hythe also play at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday afternoon. Wells have started bagging a few points again and are a better side at home than on the road. They will have to be at their best to win this one though, not impossible but I'd give them only an outside chance. They have another tough home game on Monday as well when they play host to Deal Town, the 'away specialists'. Nothing much to take from the game for both sides Deal having failed to cross the divide to the leading pack. Should be a well balanced game from two 'footballing' sides, a good one for the independent to witness. Deal to sneak out of town with all three points in their pocket.

Possibly Deal's only points from the Easter programme as they are at the Charles ground on Saturday against VCD. Vickers will be busting to put in a great performance as an hors d'ouevres to Mondays Oyster main course. The pressure is all on the visitiors to maintain their push upwards which may cramp their style when they least need it. Deal, who have won the FA Vase, will be stiff competition but Vickers, who haven't, should win this spring day.

Herne Bay are the only other side to have a double bill and they are also on the road, at Slade Green on the Saturday and Greenwich Borough on Monday. Green have been putting in the effort lately but have failed to put the points on the table that would enable them to cross the nine point gap to mid-table. Normally Bay should be able to overcome them but a few duff results have vapourised the spirit that was rekindled a couple of weeks back. A draw is the most likely result I think. Boro' remain outsiders for the title and can't afford to drop any points, hoping other results will fall their way. Placing their faith in the fates they will not let up until it is a mathematically unobtainable, three points for sure probably the best opposition I've had the pleasure of watching this season. All of which leaves Faversham against Erith Town at salter's Lane on Saturday. Another three points to the gentlemen who play in white.

And finally a quick mention of the reserves match at the Belmont on Saturday where the Ramsgate Reserves are our guests in the KFL Division One. 

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

Peter Albin - 05/04/07