The game had a bit of an end-of-season feel to it, but as it was a beautiful day, I don't think many minded. More importantly, Town's record against the Police had been truly atrocious: played 5, lost 5, goals for 2, goals against 17. So this result was on the face of it, remarkable. Part of the explanation lay in the the fact that this was the poorest Police team I've ever seen: promotion contenders last term, mid-table mediocrity this. However, this is not to say that Whitstable didn't deserve their win. It's been a while since fans could look at an early 1-0 scoreline and feel completely safe: there was no doubt in my mind that the Oystermen would see through the game without conceding and possibly even going further ahead.

Whitstable had much of the earlier exchanges and Pulman scored with a real poacher's effort after just 10 minutes of play. This came courtesy of a swift counter attack following the first of two or three long shots that the Police had on goal. Pullie had the beating of the Met defender and manages to dink the ball over the advancing Mo (Met keeper, who didn't get quite as much stick from Taffy as he usually does, but still feigned injury as is is want). Pullie took one in his face for his trouble, but made a quick recovery.

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After the goal there was really very little to report. Parker stood out because of a mixture of good and bad - he had the beating of the Met captain at right back for the most, but was also guilty of some wayward passing - but he reminded the team to stay focused for the duration - which they did.







 
Stubbs did what he was told wide right, but it's not his natural position and so it was not surprising to see him leave the pitch in the second half.




 

Wisker eventually occupied that berth having started in the middle of the park. No sign of Heard on the day, not sure why, which meant Lloyd at left back - where he did fine, and Cornhill at right back (I prefer to see him further forward as he has an eye for goal) but in the absence of any recognised left back, the back four including Denly and Sayer, was perhaps the best choice even if GS can play anywhere at the back. 

The game petered out to its eventual conclusion and having guaranteed Ryman league status with two games to spare, the future brings with it a number of interesting permutations and combinations. Will Laney stay on as manager (the strong feeling amongst the fans is that the Lane/Gooding combination might work very well indeed given recent form). Will Cory reconsider his retirement? Can we bring in the four or so players needed to strengthen? WIll the season start the way it finished? This will probably mean more pre-season training than has been the case in the past.

Have a good summer everyone and see you on the flip-side.