November 25, 2009
 Whitstable suffered a heartbreaking lesson tonight in the art of concentrating until the final whistle, squandering a deserved lead to two late goals at thekrbs-Belmont. This was a game where they deserved at least a share of the points outplaying the visitors for much of the game. This was some improvement compared with the 3-0 drubbing suffered earlier in the summer. Alas, despite two great goals from captain Liam Quinn - who continues to lead by example - defensive frailties let the team down again.  Energized by their excellent midweek win away to Croydon Athletic, the Oystermen seemed determined to bring good form home in this passionate encounter. Youngster Gareth Cornhill played his second game after his debut on Tuesday, and he acquitted himself well at right back.  GS continues to deputise at left back, but is clearly not entirely comfortable there. But with no reconized left winger, it is perhaps hardly surprising that Danny Tipple continues to occupy that position - and he had another good game. His corners were a particular highlight.  It may not be too long before he returns to his conventional role, however, because Jake Gess' knee seems to have ceased troubling him, and if his scan on Monday goes well, we may soon see him back on the pitch. A welcome return for the player who received his plaque for his 100th appearance for the club before today's game.  In the first half, Whitstable enjoyed a decent share of the possession with Quinn in particular laying down a few markers on the game with his solid aerial ability and some crunching tackles.  And on 28 minutes Whitstable’s immense captain headed home powerfully from a Tipple cross. Unmarked at the far post, he squeezed the ball past the keeper at his near-post to the delight of the fans.Whitstable looked comfortable and took their lead into the break.    Maybe there was a touch of complacency in Whitstable's ranks at the start of the second half. In any event, Eastbourne suddenly looked more dangerous as both sides started to lose their shape. Eastbourne replied on 54 minutes, Baitup netting a poacher’s effort after a defensive error. From where I was standing, it looked as if Campbell failed to clear a ball whilst trying to hold off an attacker; the ball was whipped in from the right, inside the penalty area, bobbled over another defender as well as the keeper and an unmarked Baitup could not fail to score. There was not a cheer to be heard - it was quite surreal.  Both teams could complain about unsatisfactory refereeing decisions - the official being especially happy to flash his cards. Both teams had shouts for penalties, but he declined to give any.  By some weird co-incidence, 28 minutes into the second half - exactly the same amount of time as had passed in the first - Liam Quinn again beat Tanner at his near post. Tipple again was the provider, this time from a free kick. Despite the keeper's acrobatics, Quinny made sure.   But then the unexpected happened. On 85 minutes, Eastbourne’s full-back, Denton, set free by his keeper, ran the length of the pitch and fired home from distance past Fewell with a well-placed shot. Where was the hard-tackling GS? Despite a succession of corners and free-kicks thereafter, Whitstable failed to capitalise.  Pullie skied one over the bar and some of the corners were too flat. Then, three minutes into the four of injury time, Baitup profited from Campbell’s second error of the game - a loose pass in a dangerous area - and Eastbourne snatched the points to stunned silence. But everyone, I think, agrees that this was a much improved performance. The Oystermen slipped back into the relegation zone on goal difference with Corinthians winning 2-0 at Godalming Town. If concentration levels stay 100% until the final whistle then there might just be enough to see a belated climb up the table. Fingers crossed!
Posted by Per Laleng.
November 24, 2009
Where is it all going wrong? There was a strange sense of optimism before the game, but as has been noted elsewhere, it was short-lived. After Eastbourne scored their first, Whitstable disintegrated and this has to go down as the worst performance I have seen in some time: and that is saying something after some of the recent games! The cause wasn't helped by probably the worst referee I have ever seen, whose crowning glory was to give Eastbourne a free kick after James Campbell tried to h... Continue reading...
Posted by Per Laleng. Posted In : Archived match report
November 21, 2009
 In a game in which neither side had much to play for and after a gruelling Cup Final against Welling United on Thursday, a fairly low tempo opening was perhaps not that unexpected. But it was also heartening to see that Seags decided against fielding a team made up exclusively of fringe-players. Many who started against Welling also played on Saturday, and surprisingly played with an unexpected level of energy for which they should be commended. There was an interesting lesson to be learned...
Posted by Per Laleng. Posted In : Archived match report
November 15, 2009
One of last season's fellow promotees, Chipstead, still play in green. But Whitstable's new strip (tight shorts apart) made them look more imposing on the pitch and for the first half hour or so, they also looked the more threatening. In fact, there was a general air of confidence about the team in red. Liam Quinn's excellent pre-season appears to have been rewarded with the captaincy. Perona found himself on a strong bench with Seags reverting to a 3-5-2 formation which, if my memory serves ... Continue reading...
Posted by Per Laleng. Posted In : Archived match report
November 15, 2009
This took place at the Marine last night and was good fun. Woke up with a cracking hangover although I can't remember drinking that much. I assume it was too much sun ...
Bruce got a standing ovation from the room to recognise all the hard work he has put into the club over the years and it was well deserved. The best news of all is that there will now be an annual fixture known as the Bruce Smith shield between Whitstable and, yes, you guessed it, Herne Bay. This year's fixture is on 5th Au...
Posted by Per Laleng.
November 15, 2009
A Divided House?
(Not by the looks of things)
Not only did a large majority of the more vocal Oysterboys fail to turn up for this Boxing Day historical derby, but so too did some of Town's players. In fact, I'm not convinced I was wholly there either!
This was a game from which Town could, and probably should have taken some points after their league cup clash earlier this season. Whitstable won that one 1-0 away, Steve Marshall bagging the only goal.
Marshy scores in the Cup Tie
However, with a...
Posted by Per Laleng. Posted In : Archived match report
November 15, 2009
Pullman seeks solace from the ref
after failing to claim the match ball.
Horsham feel the heat.
Whitstable went into this six-pointer on the back of a good win in a friendly against Ryman Premier side Folkstone Invicta midweek, and the team seemed to be oozing confidence and determination from the first whistle. Horsham YMCA had notched up a mere 5 wins before this encounter. That included a double against newly promoted Eastbourne Town, who in turn had beaten and drawn with the Oystermen. For ... Continue reading...
Posted by Per Laleng. Posted In : Archived match report
November 15, 2009
A dull afternoon at The Belmont
It's frustrating being a Whitstable fan at the moment - both on and off the pitch. It can only be hoped that non-football differences can play themselves out and find a resolution soon because it is becoming increasingly obvious that the absence of a united support can have a detrimental effect on the players. During a notable moment yesterday afternoon, veteran striker Steve Marshall shouted at the fans several times for some encouragement. Did the fans reac... Continue reading...
Posted by Per Laleng. Posted In : Archived match report
November 15, 2009
A beautiful sky over Chipstead.
But are the Chips down for the Oysters? Pullie rues a squandered chance
This was always going to be a tough game. Chipstead have not only been flying in the league, but they play in green. So the omens were not good. The Chipstead side looked like a completely different team from that which won 2-1 at The Belmont earlier in the season. Unfortunately, they looked even better: tall, strong and solid in central defence and a tricky pairing at right back and ri... Continue reading...
Posted by Per Laleng. Posted In : Archived match report
November 6, 2009
On arrival at Walton Casuals' ground set near a leisure centre, river (or canal) and a couple of massive reservoirs, there was a general sense of optimism in the air - like Whitstable Town FC were exuding belief from the dressing room before even entering the pitch. It helped tremendously that there was a hard core of singing Oysterboys and girls in good spirits behind the Walton goal.
 This game bore some of the hallmarks of the phrase heard bandied about pre-season: that in the Ryman leag... Continue reading...
Posted by Per Laleng. Posted In : Archived match report
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