WHITSTABLE TOWN 2 STANSFELD 2
SCEFL Premier Division
Saturday January 14 2023 15.00

Whitstable and Stansfeld met for the third time this season, having each won once in successive weeks during October. This time they had to settle for a draw in a closely fought match watched by 403 people at the Belmont. Whitstable looked firmly in control when two Josh Oliver free kicks found the net in the first quarter of an hour. Stansfeld were always competitive though and goals from Rob Hughes and Ezekiel Miller levelled things up before half time. There was no shortage of action after the break, but neither team could find a winner. Whitstable had perhaps the best chance to claim maximum points in the final moments of added time, but Liam Gillies shot over the bar.

Stansfeld had deservedly knocked Whitstable out of the Kent Senior Trophy on their last trip to the north Kent coast in mid-October, but when the teams met the following week in the league, a dominant performance saw Whitstable secure a comfortable 2-0 away win in what was Marcel Nimani’s first game as manager. Despite a somewhat inconsistent season, Whitstable started this game in fourth place, but having played more games than everyone else. Their visitors were just a point behind, with two games in hand. There was a last minute team reshuffle due to Harry Gamble picking up an injury during the preparations. Victor Aiyelabola remained suspended for this match, but Jordan Wells made his first start since his earlier spell at the club in the 2013-4 season.

Stansfeld kicked off and could have scored one of the quickest goals ever seen at the ground. Dan Parkinson launched a high ball forward that was headed on by Macey Malyon for Hughes who had found space on the edge of the area, but with just Dan Eason to beat, he lobbed the ball straight at him. That was timed at 9 seconds, so would not have matched the 4 second goal scored by Whitstable’s Gerry Allan against Danson in 1989. It was the home team that had the better of the early stages and Rodney Eruotor released Oliver on the right, but his shot flashed across goal and wide. Oliver was soon in the action again and when fouled by Greg Summersby 20 yards from goal in the 9th minute, he picked himself up and bent the free kick over the wall into the top right corner. It became 2-0 in the 15th minute when Jefferson Aibangbee won a free kick on the left and Oliver curled the ball into a crowded box and it went past everybody into the far corner. Stansfeld had lost 6-0 to Kennington a week earlier, but a repeat of that was not about to happen and they pulled a goal back in the 22nd minute after Whitstable failed to clear a Dan Parkinson free kick. The delivery from the right was met by a couple of headers before a partial clearance was collected by Max Conor who skipped past Gillies and pulled the ball back for Hughes to scoop in at the near post.

Chances continued and Gillies shot wide when an Aibangbee cross reached him beyond the back post, but it was Stansfeld that scored again in the 35th minute from their fourth corner. Dan Parkinson’s cross might have had a slight deflection on its way in, but reached Miller at the near post and he steered his header into the far corner. A Ronald Sithole cross was just out of the reach of Eruotor, but Stansfeld thought they had snatched the lead just before the break when another Dan Parkinson cross was headed beyond Eason by Miller, but he was adjudged offside – although it was a narrow escape for Whitstable, who will have been a little disappointed with their performance after a bright start.

The second half began quietly until the referee showed yellow cards to Summersby and then a member of the Stansfeld management team for complaining too much. On 54 minutes, Dan Parkinson tried a long range shot that bounced in front of Eason who pushed it around the post and shortly afterwards the same player tested Eason again with a half volley from distance. When Sithole was fouled by Joe Borland, Oliver’s free kick was knocked down by Wells for Sammi Takaloo who stabbed the ball just wide. Whitstable did push forward more later in the match, but were always at risk of quick breaks and only last ditch tackles by George Sheminant and Will Thomas kept the scores level when Hughes threatened in the 68th minute. A low corner then picked out Miller who shot over. A good run carried Malyon into the box, but his shot lacked any power. Oliver attempted a hat trick of free kicks, but this time sent the ball over the bar and Sithole had a couple of shots comfortably saved.

There was plenty of late drama in the seven plus added minutes. Following two Whitstable corners, a high ball was dropped by Roman Hall, but Billy Parkinson managed to get in the way of Gillies’ goal bound shot. Whitstable had a wonderful chance to win the game right at the end. A great challenge by Tom Mills halted a Stansfeld break before Gillies fed Sithole on the right and the young Gills striker did well to get into the box and pick out the run of Gillies, but he lifted his shot over the bar. There was just time for a late yellow card for the Stansfeld goalkeeper who had stopped to pull his socks up once too often for the referee’s liking and the game ended 2-2, which was a fair reflection of the afternoon.

Whitstable have a rescheduled visit to Holmesdale on Saturday for their first ever league meeting, but before that, a home friendly against Sevenoaks Town has been arranged for Tuesday evening.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, George Sheminant, Jordan Wells (Caoilte Deakin 73), Will Thomas, Tom Mills (c), Jefferson Aibangbee (Sammi Takaloo 55), Liam Gillies, Ronald Sithole, Rodney Eruotor (Dean Grant 70), Josh Oliver.
Subs (unused): Cameron Chamberlain, Harry Gamble.
Goals: Josh Oliver 9, 15.
Yellow cards: Dean Grant 72, Liam Gillies 80, Caoilte Deakin 90+4.

Stansfeld
Roman Hall, Joe Borland, Greg Summersby (Frankie Beale 81), Aidan Hayes, Billy Parkinson (c), Ezekiel Miller, Ross Morley, Dan Parkinson (Ryan Fowler 87), Macey Malyon, Max Conor (Harry Day 87), Rob Hughes (Billy Shinners 87).
Sub (unused): Brad Mitchell
Goals: Rob Hughes 22, Ezekiel Miller 35.
Yellow cards: Macey Malyon 39, Greg Summersby 51, Joe Borland 62, Roman Hall 90+8.

Attendance: 403
Referee: Harry Phillips
Assistants: Stephen Hughes & Simon Jackson