LORDSWOOD U23 1 WHITSTABLE TOWN U23 2
SCEFL Development League East
Tuesday 18 August 2026 19.45

After reflecting on Tuesday’s game against Lordswood, there were plenty of positives to take from a performance that showed the character within the group.

The young Oysters went into half-time 1–0 down and knew changes were needed to help regain their shape and control of the game. Harry Taws came on in the middle for Calum Watton, while Josh Bedzrah came on for Jack Heaton as the team looked to tighten things up and give themselves a platform to get back into the game.

There were a couple of important moments defensively, with Alfie Mantle receiving a yellow card for dissent and Harry Taws picking up a tactical yellow card after making an important challenge to stop a fast Lordswood striker from breaking forward.

Then, in the 74th minute, came the moment that changed the game. A free-kick in our own half was enough for Mason Buckingham. With a sweet left-footed strike, Mason caught the keeper off his line and brilliantly lobbed him to make it 1–1. A fantastic effort and a great goal from Mason.

The comeback was completed in the 84th minute when substitute Joshua Bedzrah found the back of the net to put the Oysters 2–1 ahead. To come from a goal down at half-time and finish the game with a 2–1 victory shows the resilience and togetherness within the squad.

With a fairly young squad this season, there will naturally be plenty of learning and development along the way, but performances like this can provide huge confidence for the group. The management team of Dan Taws, Peter Georganos and Sam Roffey all agreed that there is still plenty for them to improve on, but the most important thing was that the team kept working, made the necessary changes and showed the mentality to turn the game around.

A really positive result to get the three points and make a winning start to the season. Now look to build on this performance and continue developing as a group.

UP NEXT:
The next league fixture for the Under 23s is away to Sheppey United on Monday 7th September.