Away Win Number Ten

ERITH TOWN 0 WHITSTABLE TOWN 1
SCEFL Premier Division
Saturday March 23 2024 15:00

Whitstable travelled to play Erith Town at their new home in Thamesmead and secured maximum points to keep themselves on the fringes of the play-off places as the season enters its final few weeks. Whitstable had the better of the first half, but as has often been the case recently, failed to take any of the chances created. Erith struggled to get into the game with a number of overhit or misplaced passes, although Harry Taylor did force Jordan Perrin to make a save at the start of the second half before Whitstable were rewarded for their efforts a few minutes later. Will Thomas steered Mikey Dalton’s free kick towards goal and, despite the efforts of Taylor to clear, the ball found its way into the net to give Whitstable a lead that they never looked like surrendering and they held on relatively comfortably to complete the double over their hosts and record their tenth away win of the season.

The teams met at the Belmont on the opening day of the season when two Josh Oliver goals gave Whitstable the perfect start to their campaign. Erith though came into this return game sitting in a play-off spot, with four points more than Whitstable from two fewer games. Whitstable had won three of their last four away games and made a couple of team changes from the previous game on Tuesday, with Emmanuel Oloyede returning for his first game since early February, but Tyler Anderson and Ollie Gray missed out due to injury. Harrison Carnegie, who made five Whitstable appearances earlier this season, was in the Erith team. This was Whitstable’s first visit for some years to the former home of Thamesmead Town, which Erith made their new home in 2023. The ground has certainly changed with a nice stand and clubhouse, although the grass pitch was not in great condition. The announced attendance for this “non-league day” fixture was 228.

It was Whitstable that managed to create several early opportunities and in the 3rd minute, Josh Williams, playing on the left, crossed for James Jeffrey who steered the ball wide at the near post. Ten minutes later, Jeffrey held the ball up and laid it back for Liam Gilles who shot wide. An Erith free kick was cleared and Williams broke quickly, but his shot was saved at the near post by Mackenzie Foley. Whitstable then won two corners before Reece Gillies shot wide. It was then the turn of Mikey Dalton to get on the end of a Williams cross, but he drove the ball past the left post. An Erith corner was missed by everybody in the box, then Dalton did well to get in the way of a shot by Harry Taylor.

Erith had to make an early change, with Callum McGeehan being replaced by George Goodwin. In the 35th minute, after some Whitstable pressure, Harvey Smith collected a throw in just outside the box, turned and shot fractionally over the bar. Whitstable won a free kick that was curled wide by Jeffrey, then Goodwin lifted an Erith free kick towards Taylor whose header from the 18 yard line was safely held by Jordan Perrin. The best chances were still coming for Whitstable and Williams pulled the ball back to meet the run of Liam Gillies who curled it just high and wide from 10 yards, then Oloyede broke into the box, but failed to test Foley and the ball was cleared. The game remained goalless at half time, but Whitstable should really have made more of their chances while on top.

Erith began the second half brightly and when James Dyer helped the ball into the box, Taylor turned and shot low, but Perrin got down to save. Whitstable safely negotiated two Erith corners before scoring the decisive goal in the 57th minute. James Jeffrey was fouled by his namesake Aaron Jeffrey on the right and Dalton curled in a free kick that went over a few heads before Will Thomas arrived beyond the back post to poke the ball towards goal and it appeared to deflect in off Taylor who then tried to hook it clear, but it was already over the line. Erith made a double substitution, then Smith headed a free kick towards goal, but Foley saved comfortably. Liam Gillies won possession and found Williams, but he was denied by Jerome Jayaguru who did well to block the shot.

Josh Oliver replaced Smith and there were more changes made by Erith, with substitute Bradley Ryan looking to bring a bit more creativity to the home team and he volleyed one effort over the top, but Whitstable rarely looked in much danger with too many Erith passes going astray. There were eventually eight minutes of time added on, during which there was one late chance for Erith when a deep cross was headed back into the middle where Taylor tried an overhead effort, but failed to connect properly and Perrin was able to gather. So, a well-deserved win for Whitstable and a disappointing result for the home team who are nevertheless still in with a good chance of reaching the play-offs. After the final whistle, there were some cards issued by the referee to the Erith captain and their management, who presumably were unhappy with something, other than their own performance!

Whitstable have two home matches over the Easter weekend, with the rearranged Rusthall fixture now scheduled for Saturday, followed by the visit of title favourites Deal Town on Monday.

Erith Town
Mackenzie Foley, Callum McGeehan (George Goodwin 33), Ted Green (Tom Walters 86), Jerome Jayaguru, Aaron Jeffrey, Tom Ash, Harrison Carnegie (Jake Lovell 86), James Miles (Ladic Melconian 58), James Dyer, Harry Taylor (c), Ollie Milton (Bradley Ryan 58).
Subs (unused): none
Yellow cards: Aaron Jeffrey 66, George Goodwin 90+2, Harry Taylor 90+9.

Whitstable Town
Jordan Perrin, Jake Mackenzie, Reece Gillies, Mikey Dalton, Will Thomas, Tom Mills (c), Harvey Smith (Josh Oliver 72), Liam Gillies, Emmanuel Oloyede, James Jeffrey, Josh Williams.
Subs (unused): Dan Eason, George Sheminant, Victor Aiyelabola.
Goal: Will Thomas 57
Yellow cards: Harvey Smith 41, James Jeffrey 69, Reece Gillies 80.

Attendance: 228
Referee: Benjamin Marshall
Assistants: Ronald Albert & Ayden Gillespie