Whitstable Town FC

 Leafe are six points ahead of Town in the table, but have played one more game. Promises to be an evenly contested match, well worth the trip if you can make it. See you all there, kick off at three. 

After beating high-flying Kingstonian on the 20th Whyteleafe have since lost twice in the league by four goals to one, away at Worthing and at home against Walton & Hersham. In fact with a six wins and six losses record (1 drawn) our opponents fans are experiencing a bit of a rollercoaster ride this term. Similarly Whitstable’s performances have been lacking consistant form in the early season, I have seen some glimpses of the spirit that won the Kent League last season and I’m sure that our form will improve as the new line up distills down to our best team. In any case ourselves and Chipstead look like opening a gap to the foot of the table already, which promises much more to come. With six league matches in November Marc Seager will be looking to better his October record in which we picked up a couple of defeats and two draws in those six starts (cup and league). What better place to start than Whyteleafe at the weekend, try and keep me away!

Our opposition from last Saturday, Molesey probably have the toughest test as they entertain the current leaders Tooting & Mitcham, 22 points the gap between the two sides and twenty league positions surely the outcome is a foregone conclusion. In this league? Probably not, I’m amazed at how even the talent is spread across the non-league game at this level, even the bankrolled sides find it hard to better the opposition by more than the odd goal which is great for the perceived underdogs an terrific for us, the fans. Would I bet against the Terrors? Not a chance, three points Tooting.

Also at home and with a challenge of similar proportions are Eastbourne Town, our fellow promotees find themselves one place from rock bottom and play third spot Kingstonian on Saturday. Eighteen places and eighteen points separate the two and worse, the Ks will be itching to grab second back off Dover who have other fish to fry this weekend. When they are beaten it is on the road so the south-coasters are not completely out of it and a strong home crowd will be a great boost to their players in what will be a tough game. Should be a good one to watch with plenty of goals if past record is anything to go by. Kingstonian win by two goals.

Sittingbourne travel up to Corinthian-Casuals on the back of a great derby win at Chatham on Tuesday night which put them back to fifth. Casuals have an identical playing record to Whitstable (except 1 better GD) it will be interesting to await the outcome and get a measure of how the Brickies are improving since we met in the KSC and how they might be affected by the loss of Steve Lovell to Ashford. I think Sittingbourne will be the side singing on the way home, the did the double over C-C last year this one could set them up to do it again.

Chatham are at home again this time they welcome a strong Burgess Hill Town squad who have sliiped down the table having been beaten three league games in a row by just a single goal margin to Met Police, Dover and Dulwich. After a strong start

I think this is where they will pick up the baton once more and press on for a play off place. A one all draw last year, I think the visitors too strong for our north Kent neighbours this time ‘round.

The final League fixture is at Cray Wanderers, where Chipstead will be looking for three points to keep the pressure on or leapfrog Whitstable in the table. The Wands can also make a move in the table with the full haul, up three to eighth and top of the mid-table grouping. Surely incentive enough for the home side to get about their guests and get a win.

Apologies for the absence of this article last week, sometimes there’s not enough hours in the day. Wherever you watch your football, enjoy it to the full!

Peter Albin - 01/11/07