Whitstable Town FC

A tough opening programme for the Oystermen continues as they pit their wits against a fourth team from the current top five. Town usually put in great performances against ‘better’ opposition, as shown in recent seasons and Saturday should be no exception. As a witness to all the matches so far this term, I can say that football at this level should hold no fear for our squad. They are good enough to compete on equal terms against the Terrors providing they keep up their work rate, no one in the crowd doubt their ability and neither should the individuals. A riveting match in prospect then, between two good Ryman South sides who like to play football on the floor. I know we’re good enough and I can’t wait!

Up in ‘the smoke’ current league leaders, Kingstonian travel across the capital to an improving Dulwich Hamlet side borne out by recent results in the FA Cup and League. Eighteenth in the table surely a false impression for a side who took a point from the Crabble and then beat Deal Town at home in a cup replay. The K’s will certainly have their work cut out in what appears to be a very even league this year. The Metropolitan Police find theirselves in third spot at the moment but probably have the toughest opponents this weekend as the Blues entertain Worthing for the afternoon. The visitors are gathering momentum amongst their new surroundings of Ryman One South and, according to the seaweed outside my back door, are one of the favourites to win automatic promotion this year. Nice pitch, low key home support should suit them. A celebratory bottle of beer on the way back down the M3? Very likely.

Dover Athletic also travel in towards London as they are destined to play in another evenly matched game against Croydon Athletic. Yes, I know there’s a joke in there somewhere about athletic supports, but I have my standards you know. No joy here for ‘Hess’ and his troops I feel, as home turf will be seen to count against the Whites. A good workmanlike outfit, the Rams, this season. Top half finish for sure and I think they’ll be very hard to beat at home this term. Should be super game for the ‘independent’, decent crowd, good atmosphere and probably a close result.

Let’s hope the weather’s not too close on Saturday as there are another three fixtures inland (within the M25 that is) Whyteleafe at Corinthian-Casuals, Cray Wanderers at Molesey and Ashford town at Walton Casuals. I don’t foresee too many problems for the two Kent sides who ought to come away with at least a point, probably three against teams who have started off on the wrong foot. Walton are in a state of flux, with the recent change in their management structure, and will need to dig deep to resist an Ashford side who are hungry for a result to match their performances. Cray are no mugs either hitting four against Walton Casuals in their last league match and a similar scoreline is in prospect versus the ‘Moles’. Whyteleafe have the most evenly balanced game of the three against a side that they beat home and away last season, although only by the odd goal in seven at King George’s Field. Current form says it could go either way, a draw most likely from where I sit.

Horsham YMCA head north to Leatherhead, and a good result for the YM’s in the cup replay at the premier side Folkestone will lift their spirits, and those two goals broke their goal mojo after two barren away league fixtures. The Tanners have a P3 W1 D1 L1 home record to date and may drop three more points to their guests pacey attack. They certainly tested our back line a fortnight ago, top half of the table is where they'll finish for sure.

In the last three games everyone gets a bit more fresh air as Eastbourne Town travel along the south coast to Burgess Hill Town, Walton & Hersham travel to the north Kent coast to play ball in Chatham Town and Sittingbourne enjoy the Sussex countryside at Chipstead FC. Chips will want to open their account in a hurry as they are already featuring in various lists of ‘Yet to score a point’ on the internet. Home would be a good place to start and they might have had a chance this weekend had the Brickies not been humiliated in their FA Cup replay against the Darts. I’m sure Steve Lovell will have ‘motivated’ his side come Saturday afternoon and his team will want to re-establish their early season league form. Chipstead also play at Whitstable on next Tuesday evening. Chatham have yet to win at home in 2 league and 1 cup appearances and may have to wait a little longer as their visitor’s are finding some good form with a newly built side riding on high confidence levels. Walton & Hersham to swan off up the M2 with three points. Whether the Eastbourne, Burgess Hill game constitutes a derby I’m not sure, but their proximity should provide a good crowd who I think will enjoy a high scoring draw. Eastbourne have already drawn three games in the league and a cup tie and could end up this year’s ‘draw specialists’ between the two side they have scored 23 and conceded 21 goals in a combined ten starts, even stats, even honours.