U16s give Margate the blues in season opener

With their goalkeeper unavailable and one of their regular centre backs having to deputise between the sticks, this away fixture at Margate looked like an even tougher proposition for the U16s considering the games between the two teams last season were close run things.

But Whistable proved to be made of stern stuff and some of the habits from last season had clearly been retained with another solid clean sheet and plenty of creativity and goals up front.

Margate and Whitstable had battled it out last season for the KYL title with the Oyster Boys edging it as the season came to a close. This game started in equally competitive fashion with Whitstable creating several really good chances with shots from new signing Jamie Lartice and midfielder Alfie Hill who both might have scored. Margate had their own chances in a free-flowing first five minutes as they twice got in behind the newly formed centre back pairing of Ollie Bunn and Harrison Wade. In one chance they thought they had opened the scoring but the offside flag was raised and in another they looked certain to score. But rookie keeper Mantle made an excellent close range save - one that regular keeper Stan Allom would have been proud of no doubt.

However, after that first flurry the Oyster boys defence were rarely troubled during the rest of the game and they showed signs reminiscent of the resilience and organisation that earnt them so many clean sheets last season.

Up front Sonnie Hemmings was proving a menace down the wing and midfielders Archie Rumball, Will Derby and Hill were working hard to limit Margate’s chances and starting to connect passes around the team. Whitstable dominated the first 20 minutes of the game and created several more chances through corners, crosses and free kicks but couldn’t seem to quite finish off the moves. Minutes before the Oyster boys opened the scoring, a Margate player was booked for a very poor challenge on defender Cornhill who was luckily unscathed.

In the 26th minute, Whitstable made their breakthrough after Hill, who had an excellent opening period, took a knock and had to come off. Alex Brownett took his place and within a minute or two Whitstable had a penalty. It arrived after a strong period of passing and interplay through the midfield with the ball ending up with Hemmings who dribbled round three players and was then unceremoniously floored in the box by a Margate defender. Captain Rumball stepped up to take the resulting penalty and dispatched it high into the roof of the net to make it one nil.

After the goal, Margate tried to break through but their only chances sailed over the Whitstable goal. Right back Leo Cornhill had an outstanding first half and made several important tackles to thwart Margate’s attacks as well as displaying his usual flair with corners and crosses. Whitstable continued to press for the remainder of the half with Hemmings and Lartice switching wings and striker Jake Salisbury proving a handful up front, holding up the ball and connecting play well. Several more chances fell to the Oyster boys with Lartice going closest to increasing the lead but the half ended with just the one goal separating the teams.

Half time 0-1

Alfie Hill returned for the second period in place of Derby, who had himself taken a knock, as Whitstable looked to extend their lead. But it was Margate who started the second half more brightly earning several corners and chances from free kicks outside the box. However, their shots, when they did come, were well over the bar and keeper Mantle was not required to make any further saves in the half.

Whitstable continued to press with Brownett having a couple of shots in quick succession, Hemmings having a shot well saved and free kicks from both Bunn and Hemmings.

In the 58th minute, the Oyster boys doubled their lead with a fantastic strike from Hill which rocketed into the roof of the net. It had looked like Whitstable had missed their chance as Hemmings drove into the box but couldn’t get the ball out of his feet to get a shot away. But as the ball bounced away from him, Hill pounced on the opportunity and gave the Margate keeper no chance.

Another new signing, Ioannis Gayle then came on to make his debut at right back replacing Cornhill and gave an assured debut. Left back Callum Groom also had an impressive outing throughout the game displaying his usual tenacity and desire to win the ball. Winger Joshua Thomas-Wright came on shortly after Gayle and his speed up the flank gave Margate some new problems to think about. He also made an excellent challenge to cover back when Margate broke forward.

And although Margate kept trying after the second goal had gone in, it felt like the game had slipped away from them. The game then took an ugly turn momentarily after a second bad challenge from the Margate player who was booked in the first half that then led to a melee involving a number of the players from both teams. It ended with Whitstable’s Rumball and a Margate centre back both being cautioned.

When the game eventually re-started Whitstable went on the front foot and scored two goals in quick succession. Lartice, who had come back on, provided a great finish from a Richards cross and then Hill got his brace with another fine finish just three minutes later. Left back Will Knoupe came on with 10 minutes to go and slotted in excellently providing some much needed calm at the back to help the U16s see the game out.

It was an excellent performance from the team with the new signings looking like they can help this successful team press on even further. Next up for the Oyster boys are King’s Hill who come to the Belmont in a cup fixture next weekend.

Full time 0-4

Team:
Mantle (g/k)
Bunn
Wade
Cornhill
Groom
Derby
Hill
Rumball (captain)
Lartice
Hemmings
Salisbury

Subs:
Brownett
Knoupe
Gayle
Richards
Thomas-Wright