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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 from Saturday’s game, a trait which has been apparent for some time now: Whitstable is a very ‘reactive’ team – it often responds to the quality put before it. This is great against the better teams, but not quite as welcome against poorer sides. And Walton Casuals were surprisingly poor given their recent run of form. The net result: a very scrappy affair, especially in the first half.

 

Of course, the lesson that should be drawn from this is the fact that Whitstable needs to concentrate on playing their own game rather than taking their cue from the opposition. As suggested in the last match report, and echoing the point made by Seags made time and again, Whitstable can be a very good team, and they need to put that realisation consistently into practice.

 

Despite a low key opening on Saturday, Whitstable took the initiative and opened their account within 10 minutes of the start. From memory, the goal slotted calmly past a mouthy Casuals keeper by Pullie was set up by Dan Wisker playing on the left wing.

 

 

 

Wisker saw a lot of the ball on Saturday, but he is some way off making the left wing his permanent berth and he was clearly short of confidence on Saturday given the number of questionable decisions he made. But like the manager, I think Wisker has great potential once he finds his best position. I suspect it’s a roving attacking midfield role behind a solitary striker and between two out and out wingers.

 

Within a minute of Whitstable’s goal, Casuals came close to equalising but Quinn put in a good last ditch tackle. Wisker continued to see much of the ball and on 14 minutes, he inter-changed well with Tanner who in turn crossed for Cory who headed just over. 

The game then became quite uneventful apart from some pretty shocking play by Tom Parker who was partnering Gooding in the middle of the park. The only redeeming feature of Parker’s game was his willingness to tackle hard and his constant encouragement to his team-mates.

 

With 25 minutes on the clock Tanner got off a shot, perhaps testing his range. But repeating the pattern of the game, within minutes of a good Whitstable attack, Casuals responded in like manner.

 

 

Three minutes after Tanner’s effort and Fewell was forced to make a good double save which ironically caused the Casuals players to argue with each other.

 

OK, Casuals weren’t exactly looking that threatening, but the kind of personal abuse that they were meting out to eachother was a little uncalled for.

 

Whitstable seized on their apparent psychological advantage and on 41 minutes Jack Tanner netted his fourth of the campaign with yet another good free kick from distance.

 

Whitstable came close to getting their third a minute into injury time after Pullie shot hard at the keeper who could but spill. He saved Cory’s rebound.

 

Because Whitstable looked so comfortable, there was a risk of complacency entering their play in the second half, and that complacency duly manifested itself.

 

Cornhill had replaced Perona before the break (I assume an injury) and he was guilty of a couple of poor touches towards the beginning of the second half. It would seem it is taking him a bit of time to regain that certainty of touch that characterised his impressive start for the Oystermen. Fortunately, both Quinn and especially Campbell were having very solid games alongside him.

 

Just before the hour mark Pullie shot weakly at the keeper. He followed this with a better shot 30 second later, but his effort skimmed the bar. Not to be outdone, Cory took a leaf from his strike-partner’s book and also shot over a couple of minutes later. A minute later Cory came closer forcing the keeper to tip his shot over the bar.

 

One of the best moves of the game came on 68 minutes when Cornhill passed to Pullie who flicked the ball over his head to set up Cory breaking through. His shot bounced off the keeper and hit him in the face.

 

 

 

5 minutes later, Wisker dribbled through the middle of the park (he clearly feels much more comfortable there) and set up Pullie who in turn put the ball wide.

 

With a quarter of an hour left to play, Walton earned a penalty and Fewell was sent the wrong way yet again. The goal galvanised the Casuals, but it wasn’t enough to spur the Casuals along despite Whitstable’s apparent inability to finish and Cory’s comedy attack (running with the ball in acres of space down the right hand side he somehow managed to trip himself up to the merriment of all concerned).

 

A good solid win, and as has been pointed out elsewhere, 3 points against Godalming on Saturday will see us with more points than last season – surely evidence of progression?

 

It is to be hoped that Seags can keep the bulk of the team together next season – even better with an addition or two – with a view to building on the achievements to date. A solid enough season, with an unexpected Cup Final.

 

Looking forward to Saturday and am gutted that the season is almost over! You Reds!