Whitstable Town FC

I'm disappointed that we picked up a couple of injuries, but delighted with the points."  Steve Marcshall scored the games only goal in the 46th minute.  Full match report to follow.
WTFC Reserves also won today in their game against Erith & Belvedere 4 -2.

Horsham YMCA 0 Whitstable Town 1: by Tony Rouse:

There were a few raised eyebrows as Whitstable manager Marc Seager named a much changed side, skipper Macros Perona along with defender Steven Lloyd and Clint Gooding started on the bench. Preferring instead to start with Tommy Martin wearing the captain’s armband, Rob Thomas taking over from Lloyd at centerback alongside Michael Adcock. Manager Seager was at pains to point out the those dropped to the bench were part of a general shake up after his sides poor exit from the FA Cup at the hands of old Kent League foes Thamesmead, not a head hunt for individuals poor performances. “The whole team know they underperformed in the FA Cup, I felt the players needed a reminder that they have to play well to earn the right wear the red shirt, I told them second best is not good enough.”

 

The home side started the brighter of the two and it was backs to the wall for long periods for Whitstable as the home side pressed  on their narrow pitch. The corners count for the visitors was into double figures with Whitstable managing just two in the first half,  Horsham setting themselves up for every free kick with Andy Ottley’s well flighted balls bringing out the best of visiting keeper Kevin Fewell on numerous occasions, but Towns defence held firm under pressure.

In sharp contrast when Whitstable had a free kick it was often too hurried, even a back pass to be kicked long and high, up front Steve Marshall and the industrious Jon Neal getting few balls played into feet, which they both thrive on. The warning signs were there for the visitors after just five minute when Steve Davis headed just past Fewell’s far post from a free kick and it was not until the 25^th minute that Town’s first real chance, a Jon Neal shot after good work by Danny Tipple was smothered by Horsham keeper Chris May.

Five minutes later good link play by Horsham was wasted as Dan Taylor failed to test Fewell before Perona was sent on to replace the injured Mickey Lane who limped off with a hamstring injury. Martin replaced Lane out wide, Perona taking over in the middle of the park and Town looked more balanced at the interval.

 

Half Time: Horsham YMCA 0 Whitstable Town 0

With just over a minute gone in the second half and Town players were surrounding goal scorer Steve Marshall whose simple side footed shot after good work by Neal put the visitors 1-0 up. Town then enjoyed their best spell without really forcing May to make a worthwhile save of note. Fewell was still busy at the other end tipping over a long rang shot and then a powerful header by Horsham captain  Matt Russell that looked certain to even the score.

Picture: Steve Marshall: In the 70th minute substitute Tommy White's powerful header  beat Fewell only for the woodwork to rescue the visitors. As Town settled the second half was a much more even affair, Marshall nearly doubled Town’s lead, bringing the best out of May. Sam Denley then had a good shot blocked by the keeper after a Tom Parker corner left Denley with space to get his header in. Denley was then harshly penalised coming of the worst with a clatter of heads when he went up for a ball with keeper May, receiving a yellow card to go with his sore head.

Alex Hossick replaced Martin in the 85^th minute, minutes later Steven Lloyd replaced Parker, the latter limping off with an ankle injury that has plagued his career these last three seasons. The home side never gave up and with time ebbing away pressed everyone forward nearly got their reward, Parker clearing off the line with Fewell beaten.

 

WTFC: Fewll: Gess: Adcock: Thomas: Parker: Tipple: Lane: Martin ©: Denley:  Marshall: Neal:

Subs

Gooding: Perona: Lawrence: Hossick: