Whitstable Town 1st Team
Matches
Sat 05 Nov 2022  ·  Premier Division
Whitstable Town Football Club
Whitstable Town 1st Team
J Jeffrey (91')
1
2
Punjab United
D Eason (40' OG), L Dawson (25')R Anibaba (97' Sent Off)
Home Record Still A Problem

Home Record Still A Problem

Ron Martin7 Nov 2022 - 04:56
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https://www.whitstabletownfc.c

Late Jeffrey consolation not enough as Punjab take the points

WHITSTABLE TOWN 1 PUNJAB UNITED 2
SCEFL Premier Division
Saturday November 5 2022 15.00

Despite an upturn in results and performances in recent games, Whitstable have still only managed one win from the eight games played on the new Belmont pitch following a frustrating afternoon in the rain against new opponents, Punjab United. Some late player movements and availability issues, largely outside of the club’s control, may have been a contributory factor, but Whitstable started slowly and although showing a few moments of promise, it was no surprise the visitors led at the interval. A well taken goal by Lea Dawson and a rare error by goalkeeper Dan Eason gave Whitstable plenty to do in the second half. Manager Marcel Nimani made some changes and his team threatened a comeback on a few occasions, with one effort ruled out and a couple of penalty shouts, but their only reward was a James Jeffrey strike in added time. Punjab deservedly held on for the win, which was slightly marred by the dismissal of their goalkeeper following the final whistle.

Two wins and an exciting draw against the league leaders since the managerial changes at Whitstable have created more optimism around the club and another good crowd of 388 turned out despite some miserable weather on the north Kent coast. Opponents Punjab occupy a lowly league position, but have a good squad with plenty of experience from higher leagues. There were some enforced changes to the home line up with Helge Orome and Harrison Carnegie both opting to end their short stays at the Belmont by accepting offers from struggling Faversham Town. Muhammed Cham’s reward for his late equaliser against Erith and Belvedere was a place in the starting eleven. There was a welcome return to Whitstable for Gus Barnes and Victor Aiyelabola was available again after missing the previous game. Former under 18 captain Cameron Chamberlain was fit enough to make the squad after missing the early part of the season through injury. A presentation was made before the game to Jake Mackenzie who has recently passed 200 appearances for Whitstable.

The early chances went to the visitors, as Jordan Campbell had a shot blocked and Arun Suman struck the rebound just wide, then a couple more efforts went over the bar. Whitstable eventually got into the game and a good low cross by Josh Oliver was just beyond the reach of Dean Grant, then Cham twice got free on the left without being able to find the end product. Stephen Okoh’s left footed shot might have beaten goalkeeper Rilwan Anibaba, but a defender got himself in the way. A loose back pass let in Suman, only for Aiyelabola to deny him with a great challenge at the expense of an injury. Punjab took the lead in the 25th minute and had the referee to thank for playing the advantage when Cham committed a foul shortly after Will Thomas had blocked a shot by former VCD player Ayman El-Mogharbel; play continued and Dawson found the top left corner from 25 yards. Mackenzie scooped a shot over the top from a Grant cross before William Johnson-Cole hit the side netting at the other end. On 31 minutes, Eason had to save a Campbell shot after Whitstable had lost possession. Things got worse for Whitstable in the 40th minute when an in swinging Ashley Probets corner was uncharacteristically dropped into his own net by an under pressure Eason. Paul Vines then missed his kick when he found himself free in the box. The home team had a good spell just before the break, with Cham sending Grant through but Anibaba was quickly out to save and Oliver fired over following good approach play by Mackenzie and Aiyelabola.

Whitstable introduced Kyron Lightfoot in place of Cham for the second half and both teams had early corners without troubling the goalkeepers. More changes were made by each manager, including a return for Barnes, a recent arrival from Ashford United. On 62 minutes, Grant was set up by Oliver and fired a shot past Anibaba, but he was adjudged to have handled the ball when receiving the pass. Vines headed the ball into the path of Johnson-Cole who was denied by Eason, then El-Mogharbel’s shot was deflected behind after he had collected a loose Whitstable pass. Barnes sent a low shot just the wrong side of the far post after Jeffrey and Grant had created an opening. Anibaba was booked in the 80th minute for taking far too long over a goal kick. Barnes delivered a cross for Grant who appeared to be taken out by a covering defender just as he put his shot wide, although a corner was awarded. As the game reached stoppage time, the referee, for the second time in the match played a good advantage that led to a goal, this time as Oliver and Lightfoot both saw attempts blocked before Joe Nelder released Jeffrey who steered a shot past Anibaba from 20 yards. There was still time for Vines to see his shot deflected over the bar and the final action was a Whitstable corner that bounced up awkwardly, but penalty shouts for handball brought only the final whistle confirming a 2-1 away win.

There was more drama after the game when Anibaba was shown a second yellow and ordered off after some interaction with supporters behind his goal, then he and a number of Punjab players and staff argued with the match officials for a couple of minutes before leaving the pitch to celebrate a well-earned three points.

Whitstable have a week to regroup before a trip to Rusthall, the only visiting team to have lost at the Belmont this season. Whitstable have won six times on their travels, however, so will hope to build on a better away record.

WhitstableDataPunjab
6Shots on target3
5Shots off target6
2Shots blocked5
5Corners5
6Fouls conceded17
1Offside5
0Penalties0

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, George Sheminant, Joe Nelder, Will Thomas (James Jeffrey 70), Tom Mills (c), Stephen Okoh, Josh Oliver, Dean Grant, Victor Aiyelabola (Gus Barnes 61), Muhammed Cham (Kyron Lightfoot 46).
Subs (unused): Atta Gyedu, Cameron Chamberlain.
Goal: James Jeffrey 90+1
Yellow cards: Muhammed Cham 25, Dean Grant 76.

Punjab United
Rilwan Anibaba, Chris Edwards, Ashley Probets, Jamie Watson, Stephen Ratcliff, Jordan Campbell, Arun Suman (Chandler Kasai 56), Lea Dawson (c), Paul Vines, Ayman El-Mogharbel, William Johnson-Cole.
Subs (unused): Todd Brand, Rohan Badbhagi, Ben Mundele, Dylan Gilbert.
Goals: Lea Dawson 25, Dan Eason o.g. 40.
Yellow cards: Chris Edwards 60, Stephen Ratcliff 71, Chandler Kasai 84, Lea Dawson 90+1.
Red card: Rilwan Anibaba (two yellows 80, 90+7)

Attendance: 388
Referee: David Rowland
Assistants: Simon Jackson & Matthew Sell

Match details

Match date

Sat 05 Nov 2022

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

388

Competition

Premier Division

League position

6
Whitstable Town
17
Punjab United
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

First Team Sponsor - FibreTech UK Ltd
Management Sponsor - The Tony Rouse Mispronunciation Society
Management Sponsor - The Tony Rouse Mispronunciation Society
Management Sponsor - Stuart Kingston