Stunning strike sends U16s into the next round

Whitstable’s KYL U16s side head into the next round of the league cup following victory over Dulwich Village on Sunday afternoon at the Belmont.

Despite winning their last three games, the U16s took their time to get going in this game and the hazy unexpected heat and sunshine of an October afternoon seemed to be having an effect on the boys. It didn’t help that the first 10 minutes required the home side to make two substitutions as midfielders Jamie Lartice and Alex Brownett both had to leave the field after heavy challenges.

And it was Dulwich who made the early runnings with several free kicks being lofted dangerously into the Whitstable box and defenders Will Knoupe and Harrison Wade making important challenges and clearances. Goalkeeper Stan Allom was making himself heard at the back but for the early exchanges he was comfortable collecting half chances from Dulwich.

Whitstable started to create as the half wore on with Alfie Hill going for goal after a pass from captain Archie Rumball and the Dulwich keeper saving well from a Hemmings header. Right back Leo Cornhill continued to provide quality corners and crosses but the Dulwich defence was resolute. And Will Knoupe sent in a couple of free kicks but couldn’t find a connecting player to meet them.

And despite Whitstable’s efforts it was the away side who should have taken the lead. They had two chances in quick succession where a dangerous ball was passed across the Whitstable back line but the defenders did just enough to clear their lines whilst Dulwich simply hadn’t committed the players forward to make enough of the opportunities.

It served as a warning to the U16s and they ended the half much more brightly. Lartice had an effort well saved by the Dulwich keeper while Sonnie Hemmings showed his usual guile and panache to break into the box and create further chances. But, once again, the Dulwich keeper made an excellent save and the game ended goalless at the interval.

Half time 0-0

There were changes at the break for the home side as Callum Groom, Michael Nkereuwem, Dylan Richards and Ioannis Gayle came onto the pitch as Whitstable looked to find a winner. There was a pause in proceedings early in the second half, however, as a Dulwich player fell awkwardly on to his arm after a challenge and had to be taken off.

And it was the visitors who again made the early chances with the U16s having goalkeeper Allom to thank as he made several outstanding stops including a one on one where we came out brilliantly to thwart a seemingly certain Dulwich goal in the 50th minute. He had made another super stop only minutes earlier and would be called upon several more times before the game was out.

Callum Groom was also called upon to help out at the back and did well to stick to his task against one of the visitors’ stronger players. He ended up in the hoardings after one such stint and had to come off the pitch temporarily.

Dylan Richards - who had himself been badly injured in the U16s last home game - returned to the side and put in a wonderful performance on the wing showing great skill and tenacity. Gayle, Hill and Rumball also showed this attribute as the team kept at the away side in a bid to prevent them getting a hold on the game.

Brownett came back onto the pitch and started to mix things up well alongside Nkereuwem who was playing his first competitive game for the team this season. And up front, the Oyster Boys started to show their prowess with shots and headers from Hill, Nkereuwem and Richards.

Both Rumball and Lartice would have been sensible to think that their next efforts would hit the back of the net but the Dulwich keeper made two sensational saves himself. Rumball’s header was low and angled towards the far corner of the net before the keeper parried it away and Lartice made an excellent turn and then shot but the keeper was again equal to it from close range.

After Allom’s saves at the other end of the pitch earlier in the half it seemed to be a case of “whatever you can do, so can I”!

But Whitstable’s persistence eventually paid off. With Alfie Hill returning to the fray displaying his usual exuberance, determination and ability to win virtually every header going, the U16s turned up the pressure as the spaces in and around the Dulwich back line began to open up.

And with both keepers on such good form, the players knew that any goals scored today would have to be special.

And so it proved to be when Whitstable eventually broke the deadlock in the 64th minute. Following a sustained period of pressure and superb passing from the home side, midfielder Brownett saw his first effort blocked by a Dulwich defender but then, as he collected the rebound and moved it onto his left foot, he let loose with a shot that took the ball over the hands of the stretching keeper and into the roof of the net.

But with the game far from over, the U16s had plenty of work to do to get over the line. Cornhill came back on as Thomas-Wright came onto the wing to try and further stretch the play. Rumball had another chance well saved while Knoupe also sent in another free kick or two as the U16s tried to extend their lead.

Allom was again called into action and made a series of further excellent saves. Mr Reliable at the back - Ollie Bunn - had another strong game reading the play well and passing under pressure. His recently formed partnership at centre back with Harrison Wade was also paying dividends as the pair were always there when called upon to snuff out any hint of danger.

As the game wore on, Richards received the only caution of the game when he failed to retreat from a free kick but with time nearly up, it was the Oyster boys who looked more likely to score the second goal. Hemmings and Lartice drove at the Dulwich backline and held onto possession excellently to help see the game out.

Striker Jake Salisbury was a towering presence up front for the U16s and did not stop working the whole game. He held the ball up well, bought others into play and didn’t let the Dulwich defenders have any time on the ball.

It was a tenacious and determined well-earned victory for the U16s who were still on the attack looking for a second goal as the referee brought the game to an end.

Next week the U16s are back at the Belmont in a league game against Herne Bay.

Full time 1-0

Team:
Allom
Bunn
Wade
Knoupe
Cornhill
Rumball (c)
Hill
Brownett
Lartice
Hemmings
Salisbury

Subs:
Gayle
Groom
Richards
Nkereuwem
Thomas-Wright