Commanding performance lifts the U15s to top spot

It was another clean sheet for the U15s as they won again at home and moved to the top of the table with only two games remaining. They scored four goals, including three in the first half, but could have had more as they hit the woodwork and had another goal disallowed.

Up until the last four or five league games, opponents Hastings had struggled in the league but they came into this game on a run of three wins and a draw from their last four with striker Jamie Wilder hitting the back of the net five times. But today, apart from a short period in the first half when they had some corners and half chances, Whitstable were in control and deserved the win.

The U15s started the game on the front foot with Jake Salisbury, the returning Sonny Hemmings and captain Archie Rumball all going close in the opening 10 minutes. Whitstable were enjoying some success down the left flank where Will Knoupe’s long throws and subsequent knock-ons from Rumball and Salisbury were opening up opportunities for the home side as they looked for a goal. Despite their pressing, Hastings did create the odd chance themselves however and keeper Stanley Allom had the ball kicked out of his hands on one occasion by a on rushing Hastings striker.

Whitstable kept pressing and in the 13th minute they won a free kick outside the box which midfielder Will Derby stepped up to take. He dispatched it past the Hastings wall and their keeper low into the corner of the net to open the scoring. Whitstable didn’t rest on their laurels though and shortly afterwards, Derby had another shot well saved and Salisbury hit the post.

Striker Salisbury, who scored the winner in Whitstable’s last game, didn’t let the next opportunity pass him by though as Whitstable moved into a two goal lead when he ran on to a through ball and put it past the Hastings keeper.

The U15s had the wind in their sails and just after Hastings decided to make a goalkeeper change, Whitstable added a third. It came after Hemmings’ shot was initially saved by the replacement keeper but he fumbled it into the path of Salisbury who finished from close range to grab his second of the game.

It was after going three behind however that Hastings intensified their play and began to put pressure on Whitstable. Keeper Allom had to come out smartly to thwart one attack and centre-back Ollie Bunn had to clear his lines as Hastings began to press and cause problems. The visiting team looked dangerous from set pieces and had three or four corners as the first half came to a close.

But Whitstable stood strong with Alfie Mantle and Leo Cornhill working well alongside Knoupe and Bunn in defence to help the team preserve a clean sheet. Alfie Hill - playing alongside Derby and Rumball in midfield - was impressive again as he fought for every ball. And Whitstable still created chances themselves with free kicks from Mantle and Cornhill, Hemmings going through but slipping at the wrong time, Salisbury’s header from another excellent Knoupe throw and the Hastings keeper saving well from both Rumball and Derby all before the half time whistle.

Half time 3-0

Changes were made for the second half as Whistable had their full squad available for one of the first times this season. Harrison Wade came on at right back and Dylan Richards came on to play on the left flank. But the changes didn’t disrupt Whitstable’s approach to the game as the Hastings keeper had to come out to collect a dangerous Mantle cross and Richards went close with a shot early in the second period. Hemmings thought he had made it 4-0 when the Hastings keeper dropped the ball at his feet and he finished from close range but it was disallowed. At the other end Hastings showed that they were still dangerous as Allom had to save from a free kick.

Then there were more changes for Whitstable as Alex Brownett, Joshua Thomas-Wright and Michael Nkereuwem were introduced to freshen things up. The changes proved well timed as the fourth goal came soon afterwards when, following some great work by Hemmings, Brownett finished the move with a low and clinical shot that gave the keeper no chance.

The final quarter of the game was marred by a poor Hastings challenge on Hemmings that meant the Whitstable player had to be carried from the field and the Hastings player was yellow carded.

But despite the commanding performance and the four goal lead, Whitstable kept pressing and when play resumed after the injury to Hemmings chances fell to Rumball, Mantle, Brownett, Bunn with a header and Thomas-Wright in the final 15 minutes of the game. Allom again had to have his wits about him with Hastings strikers lurking up front but he did what was needed to help his team keep their 11th clean sheet of the league campaign.

The result meant Whitstable sneaked above Margate (who didn’t play this weekend) to top spot in the league with two games to go. It was another strong performance from the U15s with every player playing their part to earn an important victory.

Full time 4-0

Team:
Allom
Bunn
Cornhill
Derby
Groom
Hemmings
Hill
Knoupe
Mantle
Rumball (captain)
Salisbury

Subs:
Brownett
Nkereuwem
Richards
Thomas-Wright
Wade

Coaches:
Adam Knoupe
Steve Rumball
Michael Groom