Whitstable Town FC

Picture: Kevin Fewell: A Steve Marshall goal in the 11th minute away at Sittingbourne was enough to send Whitstable into the 2nd round of the Kent Cup.

 

“A superb all round team performance, one where every single player showed the desire I expect from my players to win every game they play wearing the Town shirt.” 

Except for some excellent saves by keeper Kevin Fewell inside the first ten minutes the visitors could have easily been two goals down, a standard Fewell maintained throughout the match to post his second clean sheet of the season. Picture: Tommy Martin:

Steve Marshall turned the game Whitstable’s way in the eleventh minute with a goal straight off the training pitch after a quick throw in was fired towards the far post by Marcus Perona.  Ex Sittingbourne striker Jon Neal headed the ball cleverly back across the goalmouth, Marshall squeezing the ball just inside the near post. The goal certainly lifted the visitors, as they all raised their game one to shine was Tommy Martin; starting in midfield in place of Danny Stubbs who like fellow Ebsfleet loaner Jon Akinde is cup tied as Ebsfleet are in the same competition.

At the back Town were also solid, with Rob Thomas partnering Steven Lloyd at the centre of defence, Thomas was outstanding throughout the game both in his defending and distribution. With ten minutes to go to the break the home side were awarded a penalty which to most observers looked well outside the box, justice seemed to prevail as the spot kick was blasted woefully wide.

At the restart the home side came at Whitstable with the intensity they had show in parts of the first half but the visitors were strong all over the pitch and held firm; Fewell again called into action with some fine saves.

Michael Adcock had a solid game; on in place of Gary Sayer who pulled up in the first half with a slight strain. Adcock fired in some great crosses, which if Town had been able to capitalise on just one of Adcock’s testing balls into the box Whitstable would have closed the game out.

Picture: Rob Thomas:

The match became a test of nerve for Whitstable as the home side threw everyone forward in the closing stages, Whitstable putting themselves under undue pressure giving away some needless free kicks.

Fewell with his defence held firm; the only note of concern on a good evening for the visitors was the sight of Rob Thomas stretcherd off in some pain after a last gasp tackle resulted in the tall defender falling down in a tangle of legs. Latest reports are that the injury is not as bad as first though, possible a badly sprained and bruised ankle where the opposition player accidentally stood on his foot as he was trying to get up from the tackle. 

Players Tommy Martin and Rob Thomas both vied for M.O.M

1.  Fewell 2. Sayer 3. Tipple 4. Thomas 5. Lloyd 6. Hossick 7. Martin 8.Denly 9. Perona . Marshall 10. Neal 11.

Subs Adcock, Gess, Lawrence, Braidwood, Mark Lane