Last Minute Goal Sinks Town

SITTINGBOURNE 3 WHITSTABLE TOWN 2
The Pitching In Isthmian League South East
Tuesday October 19 2021 19.45

Former Whitstable striker Kane Rowland scored in added time to send Whitstable home without a point from a game in which they had enough chances to have taken all three. Danny Walder opened the scoring when Joe Docherty made a mess of trying to save his in-swinging free kick, but Johan Caney-Bryan scored two quick goals late in the first half to turn things around. The Whitstable manager would not have been happy with some of the defending and energy levels during this period, but his team were much better after the break and another Walder free kick levelled the scores. Whitstable looked the more likely winners in the latter stages, but were unable to find another goal and a late loss of concentration proved decisive.

This game had been rescheduled due to the fuel crisis a few weeks ago, since when Whitstable had appointed a new manager, Keith McMahon, who had achieved a couple of 1-0 wins in his first two games. There has been little change to the playing squad to date, although young players Gus Barnes and Muhammed Cham have taken their opportunities well. Dan Eason was unwell and doubtful for this game until shortly before kick-off, so 17 year old Henry Duley was included as a goalkeeping substitute. Sittingbourne had enjoyed a promising start, winning four of their first seven games, and included new signing, Marvin Hamilton, a Sri Lankan international formerly with Whitehawk. There were a good number of Whitstable supporters amongst the 177 in attendance.

Following a quiet opening, Ahmed Abdulla collected a loose clearance and shot straight at Eason. Whitstable won a couple of corners, but there was little to concern either goalkeeper until a smart turn and shot by Luke Griffiths in the 25th minute that was kept out by the legs of Docherty. The opening goal arrived just a couple of minutes later when Walder curled in a free kick from the left that bounced in front of Docherty, who only managed to push the ball over his head and into the net. Sittingbourne equalised on 35 minutes when Harrison Pont was allowed to carry the ball forward before shooting from 25 yards and Eason was only able to parry the ball down to Caney-Bryan who tucked it into the net. The Sittingbourne number nine was on hand again in the 39th minute when he met a low Michael Akin cross from the right and flicked it past Eason. The last action of the half was another Walder free kick that was saved by Docherty.

A mistake by Samuel Okoye-Ahaneku almost gifted Whitstable an instant second half equaliser, as Tom Carlton gained possession and took the ball forward, but his shot lacked the power to beat Docherty who got across to push away. Sittingbourne won two corners, the second of which was headed wide by Hamilton. Griffiths had to be withdrawn and was replaced by academy player Montrell Deslandes on 51 minutes. Harry Stannard, playing in an unfamiliar position up front, did well on the right and made the space to pick out Carlton with a low cross, but his shot was saved. The Whitstable manager felt that the game required more of a target man up front, so in the absence of a regular striker sent on Ollie Gray, more used to playing at the back. Eason was called upon to push a Caney-Bryan header over the bar, then a long range shot by Walder was grabbed by Docherty at the second attempt. The introduction of Gray was rewarded when he cleverly laid the ball off for Carlton, who was unceremoniously brought down by Emmanuel Dasho 25 yards out and Walder stepped up to drill the free kick past Docherty to make it 2-2 in the 76th minute. The home team might have regained the lead immediately when Rowland won the ball as Whitstable were hoping would it run out of play and crossed for Caney-Bryan who lifted a good chance over the top. Sittingbourne were mostly relying on long balls over the top at this point and it was Whitstable that looked more threatening. A deflected Carlton shot was fumbled by Docherty who recovered before Tom Mills could collect the rebound. Cham was then fouled as Whitstable kept up the pressure, but this time Walder sent the free kick way over the bar. The game went into added time and a Barnes cross was only cleared to Carlton whose first time shot was saved. The game was settled at the other end though when late substitute Yao Christophe Aziamale was given too much room on the right and when the ball was played out to him, his cross picked out an unmarked Rowland to slide home.

Whitstable face a tricky away trip to Ashford United on Saturday, but have shown plenty of character in the past three games, so will be hoping they can cause some problems for them and their manager who was an interested spectator at Sittingbourne.

Sittingbourne
Joe Docherty, Samuel Okoye-Ahaneku, Taylor Fisher, George Monger, Harrison Pont, Emmanuel Dasho, Michael Akin (James Hawkins 64), Marvin Hamilton, Johan Caney-Bryan (Yao Christophe Aziamale 90), Ahmed Abdulla (George Crimmen 90+3), Kane Rowland.
Subs (unused): Tom Loynes, Sam Flisher.
Goals: Johan Caney-Bryan 35, 39, Kane Rowland 90+2.
Yellow cards: Emmanuel Dasho 75, Kane Rowland 90+3.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, James Brown, Danny Walder, Will Thomas, Tom Mills (c), Gus Barnes, Luke Griffiths (Montrell Deslandes 51), Harry Stannard (Ollie Gray 65), Tom Carlton, Muhammed Cham.
Subs (unused): Nico Cotton, George McIlroy, Henry Duley.
Goals: Danny Walder 27, 76.

Attendance: 177
Referee: Daniel Doyle
Assistants: Matt Charles & Nicholas Monkman