Match Result
Whitstable Town 3 v 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Football is full of cliche's and by saying this was a relegation 6 pointer is one of many. However by saying this is a relegation 6 pointer just five weeks before Christmas is another altogether.
This game was crucial on every single level. Not only is the club adrift at the bottom but a win could keep us amongst the others above that are dearly fighting on every front against a three team drop come the end of the season. An inspiring penalty from Jamie Byatt on 28 minutes looked to have injected a dose of adrenaline after a Whitstable defender handballed on the line, but that's unfortunately what it was, a dose. It lasted all of 6 minutes before the hosts with ten men bravely fought back into the game winning a spot kick of their own through a rather innocent challenge by the Casuals defence.
Although the pitch was boggy and the quality of the playing surface on par with the warm up training patch at the back of the King George's Arena it was always going to be a difficult game. Nevertheless, the Casuals went into the break probably wondering if they would come out of the game with just a point as the possession and potent attacks sustained by the 10 man side would have demonstrated to a late arriver that they had the one man advantage.
During the second half both teams couldn´t really muster any real chance of another goal. Juevan Spencer came close on 67 minutes when he was clipped through by Thompson and with just the keeper to beat managed to loop his shot high and wide into the lady's back garden on Grimshill Road. There was also a precarious moment shortly afterwards for Corinth as a defensive communication allowed a Whitstable attacker to steal the ball in the penalty area, he then layed it to his fellower midfielder who fired low and hard only for a chocolate and pink shirt to get in the way, blocking and clearing it with a soundtrack of claims by the home crowd that it struck an arm. The referee waved play-on but inspiration was flowing in the home camp and a burning desire to win the three points was clearly evident.
With the Casuals flirting with danger, Craig Thompson's goal for Whitstable in the 79th wasn´t a surprise. The victory was then signed, sealed and delivered on 89 minutes when defender Joseph kane stepped up to set up the oystermen for an unbelieveable victory, or at least that's what was thought. Apparently, this was their worst performance for a while and considering their win midweek against high flying Ryman Premier side Maidstone United in the Kent Senior Cup and their now unbeaten run streatching to 7 games, that statement may well just have some justification.
The evening was capped off with a casuals sending off so for some positive spin the Casuals eventually lost 3-1 with ten men. Also, there were a couple of inspirational acts of brilliance by Byatt and Bracken yet fortunately for our faithful fans who didn´t make it that was all they would have had to shout about. Nevertheless, if there was anything the Chocolate and Pink deserved to pick up from the Kent coast it would be a chilling reality of the situation, from a cold shower.
Good news elsewhere, Paul Stewart's reserves fought out a 4-4 draw away to Glebe Football Club in the London Senior Trophy, coming out eventual winners 3-4 on penalties. Goals in normal time came from Jack Major, Scott Fitzsimmons, Shaun Brown and Jake Wilgoss. The quarter final tie will be played in February against Peckham Town.
Whitstable Town 3 v 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Football is full of cliche's and by saying this was a relegation 6 pointer is one of many. However by saying this is a relegation 6 pointer just five weeks before Christmas is another altogether.
This game was crucial on every single level. Not only is the club adrift at the bottom but a win could keep us amongst the others above that are dearly fighting on every front against a three team drop come the end of the season. An inspiring penalty from Jamie Byatt on 28 minutes looked to have injected a dose of adrenaline after a Whitstable defender handballed on the line, but that's unfortunately what it was, a dose. It lasted all of 6 minutes before the hosts with ten men bravely fought back into the game winning a spot kick of their own through a rather innocent challenge by the Casuals defence.
Although the pitch was boggy and the quality of the playing surface on par with the warm up training patch at the back of the King George's Arena it was always going to be a difficult game. Nevertheless, the Casuals went into the break probably wondering if they would come out of the game with just a point as the possession and potent attacks sustained by the 10 man side would have demonstrated to a late arriver that they had the one man advantage.
During the second half both teams couldn´t really muster any real chance of another goal. Juevan Spencer came close on 67 minutes when he was clipped through by Thompson and with just the keeper to beat managed to loop his shot high and wide into the lady's back garden on Grimshill Road. There was also a precarious moment shortly afterwards for Corinth as a defensive communication allowed a Whitstable attacker to steal the ball in the penalty area, he then layed it to his fellower midfielder who fired low and hard only for a chocolate and pink shirt to get in the way, blocking and clearing it with a soundtrack of claims by the home crowd that it struck an arm. The referee waved play-on but inspiration was flowing in the home camp and a burning desire to win the three points was clearly evident.
With the Casuals flirting with danger, Craig Thompson's goal for Whitstable in the 79th wasn´t a surprise. The victory was then signed, sealed and delivered on 89 minutes when defender Joseph kane stepped up to set up the oystermen for an unbelieveable victory, or at least that's what was thought. Apparently, this was their worst performance for a while and considering their win midweek against high flying Ryman Premier side Maidstone United in the Kent Senior Cup and their now unbeaten run streatching to 7 games, that statement may well just have some justification.
The evening was capped off with a casuals sending off so for some positive spin the Casuals eventually lost 3-1 with ten men. Also, there were a couple of inspirational acts of brilliance by Byatt and Bracken yet fortunately for our faithful fans who didn´t make it that was all they would have had to shout about. Nevertheless, if there was anything the Chocolate and Pink deserved to pick up from the Kent coast it would be a chilling reality of the situation, from a cold shower.
Good news elsewhere, Paul Stewart's reserves fought out a 4-4 draw away to Glebe Football Club in the London Senior Trophy, coming out eventual winners 3-4 on penalties. Goals in normal time came from Jack Major, Scott Fitzsimmons, Shaun Brown and Jake Wilgoss. The quarter final tie will be played in February against Peckham Town.