VCD ATHLETIC 0 WHITSTABLE TOWN 2
SCEFL Premier Division
Tuesday March 4 2025 19.45

This fixture away to top of the league VCD, coming just three days after the hard fought and emotional FA Vase quarter final win, looked a tough challenge for Whitstable despite their recent good form. Those that travelled to support the Oystermen need not have worried as their slightly changed team put in another effective performance to return with three points. In a tight game, VCD were unable to take any of their opportunities, including a second half penalty that Bethel Gboda smacked against the bar. Dean Grant finished clinically to give Whitstable a half time lead and after both teams received two red cards near the end, Nathan Jeche added a second goal on the break, deep into added time.

This was the third meeting between the two teams this season. VCD Athletic visited Whitstable for the reverse fixture in September and recorded a 1-0 win in a closely contested game. However, in the Kent Senior Trophy, Whitstable gained some revenge when they won 2-1 at Crayford with goals from Josh Oliver and Dean Grant. The recent form of both has been excellent, with VCD having now overtaken Faversham Town in the battle at the top of the table, while Whitstable, in addition to their FA Vase and county cup progress, had also won their previous four league matches in their bid to claim a play-off spot. There were two changes to the Whitstable team, with manager Jamie Coyle sitting this one out and Ashdon Day dropping to the bench. Cup tied Dean Grant returned, as did Jayden Boulton at left back. Bradley Schafer, also unable to play in the FA Vase, was named among the substitutes, but Harvey Smith was away. Liam Gillies, who recently made the move from Whitstable to VCD was on the bench for the home team. A crowd of 129 were in attendance on a fine, but cold evening, with the grass pitch in very good condition.

There was an early chance for VCD when a cross from the left by Bethel Gboda was headed over the top at the back post by Lee Bird. Nathan Jeche, playing his second game for Whitstable, collected the ball after his teammates had won possession, but his shot struck Michael Fenn. VCD threatened in the 19th minute when Connor Dymond curled a nice ball into the box, but just out of the reach of a stretching Bird. Whitstable were then gifted a sight of goal when a sliced, attempted clearance followed by a weak header gave Jeche a chance to shoot, but his low shot was comfortably gathered by veteran goalkeeper Andy Walker. A Dymond pass picked out Ollie Freeman whose shot was deflected just past the far post.

Whitstable broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Mikey Dalton and Connor Wilkins battled to win the ball in their own half before Dalton passed the ball forward to Dean Grant who took it on and curled a great shot over Walker into the net from just outside the penalty area. An injury meant an early departure for Bird who was replaced by Francis Babalola in the 40th minute. The home team finished the half strongly and a Dymond corner was headed on by Ben Fitchett to the back post where Fenn’s shot hit Boulton on the line, then Dexter Peter's shot was deflected over the top. Gboda then lifted an effort over the bar, as Whitstable held on to their 1-0 lead at the break.

Both managers made changes when the teams returned to the pitch, with Gillies replacing Charlie Hartley for VCD and with Boulton unable to continue for Whitstable, Will Thomas came on to make his first appearance for a few weeks having recently recovered from injury. There were few early chances until the 63rd minute when a long ball by Fitchett found Gboda who twisted and turned before his shot was defected around the post. VCD had their best chance of the night in the 72nd minute when Babalola sent the ball in from the right, Richard Jimoh failed to connect with his attempt as two other players collided and referee Matthew Pollington decided to award a penalty. Gboda sent Dan Colmer the wrong way, only to see his shot rebound off the bar.

VCD kept pressing forward, but it felt like this might not be their night! Colmer pushed away another Gboda shot from a narrow angle on the right, but as the clock ticked into the last few minutes, there was a major flare up on the touchline by the home bench. A Jake McIntyre challenge sparked an angry reaction and some pushing and shoving involving a number of players followed. There was an eight minute pause in play, during which the officials seemed to be considering what action to take. Two players from each team were eventually dismissed, although whether this was the correct outcome is certainly open to question. When play did finally resume, the board mysteriously showed only seven minutes to be added. Whitstable wrapped up the win when Robbie Rees cleared the ball up to the halfway line where Jeche got past Fitchett and raced clear before shooting beyond Walker. There was still time for Colmer to deny Jimoh and Peter, but Whitstable had done enough to earn maximum points and make it eight successive wins in all competitions.

Whitstable are on the road again on Saturday when they visit Snodland Town for another SCEFL Premier Division fixture.

VCD Athletic
Andy Walker, Harry Lawrence, Charlie Heatley (Liam Gillies 46), Ben Fitchett (c), Dexter Peter, Michael Fenn, Lee Bird (Francis Babalola 40), Connor Dymond, Ollie Freeman, Bethel Gboda, Nathaniel Olawole (Richard Jimoh 69).
Subs (unused): Callum Flynn, Rajan Sahni.
Yellow cards: Charlie Heatley 36, Liam Gillies 56, Connor Dymond 73.
Red cards: Francis Babalola 89, Connor Dymond 90.

Whitstable Town
Dan Colmer, Jerald Aboagye, Jayden Boulton (Will Thomas 46), Mikey Dalton, Finn O’Mara, Jake McIntyre (c), Ronald Sithole (Bradley Schafer 61), Connor Wilkins (Robbie Rees 66), Dean Grant (Ashdon Day 74), Fin Cotton, Nathan Jeche.
Sub (unused): Albie O’Mara-Knapp
Goals: Dean Grant 29, Nathan Jeche 90+7.
Yellow cards: Dean Grant 45+4, Finn O’Mara 62, Mikey Dalton 82, Ashdon Day 90+1, Nathan Jeche 90+7.
Red cards: Jake McIntyre 87, Will Thomas 89.

Attendance: 129
Referee: Matthew Pollington
Assistants: Thomas Sansom & Sheridan Grant