WTFC U16s KYL
Matches
Sun 25 Sep 2022
Whitstable Town Football Club
WTFC U16s KYL
O Bunn (10'), A Hill (16'), J Lartice (20'), (50'), J Salisbury (42'), W Derby (60'), S Hemmings (65'), (70'), (73')
9
1
Kings Hill U16 Colts
U16s deliver outstanding performance in cup win

U16s deliver outstanding performance in cup win

Joel Derby25 Sep 2022 - 17:41
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https://www.whitstabletownfc.c

Oyster boys inflict heavy defeat on King’s Hill Colts

Despite a nervy opening 5 minutes in their first game on the new surface at the Belmont, the U16s roared back from conceding an early goal to put 9 past King’s Hill Colts in the county cup.

King’s Hill made a promising start to the match on a lovely afternoon in the sunshine at the Belmont, putting the Oyster boys under a lot of pressure with corners and through balls and managing to sneak in the game’s opener after a miscommunication in the Whiststable back line.

Harrison Wade, playing in a new position at centre back, was soon called into action just minutes after the opener to clear from the box as the visitors threatened once more. Fellow centre back Ollie Bunn also had to head away from a corner in the opening few minutes. It seemed an ominous start to the game but after the visitors’ initial flurry the rest of the game was all Whitstable.

And the goal did indeed prove a wake up call for the U16s who then produced a wonderful performance of free-flowing football which left their goalkeeper Stan Allom a spectator for much of the remaining 75 minutes.

The rout began only a few minutes after the visitors had taken the lead when Bunn rose highest to head home from a Leo Cornhill corner. Jamie Lartice was also starting to get some joy down the flank and went close soon after the leveller. Cornhill continued delivering with several excellent corners, crosses and free kicks but Whitstable couldn’t quite convert them.

Whitstable did take the lead in the 16th minute, however, when midfielder Alfie Hill converted from inside the box with a cute finish low into the corner after striker Jake Salisbury had delivered a cross into his feet. And once Whistable had taken the lead, there was no doubt what the outcome of the game would be as the team relaxed and began creating further chances to test the visitors.

After Hill went close with a header from a Cornhill corner, Lartice made it 3-1 with a wonderful strike across the goal into the far side of the net away from the keeper’s outstretched arms. It had come after excellent build up play and passing through the team with the likes of captain Archie Rumball, midfielder Will Derby and winger Sonnie Hemmings pinging the ball around at leisure.

In fact, the U16s slick passing had started to frustrate the visitors and a couple of their players were lucky to escape cautions after reckless challenges. King’s Hill then had their keeper to thank moments later when Salisbury had his shot tipped onto the cross bar and away after a through ball from Rumball.

The Oyster boys’ prowess on the wings was proving effective too with Callum Groom able to get forward on the left hand side and put pressure on the visitor’s back line. Similarly, Dylan Richards (who had come on after half an hour) was combining well with Salisbury on the right hand side as the U16s showed their versatility with Hemmings and Lartice swapping wings half way through the game.

Powerhouse midfielder Michael Nkereuwem came on for his first game of the season and immediately got involved in the centre of the park showing his trademark strength and determination. The U16s continued to press for the last 20 minutes of the half but despite creating excellent chances for Salisbury, Richards and Hill they couldn’t add a fourth.

Half time 3-1

The second half began with further changes as centre back Alfie Mantle, left back Will Knoupe and right back Ioannis Gayle came on for the U16s. The changes had an immediate effect as Salisbury got his reward for another excellent performance up front with a goal to make it 4-1 to the hosts.

Shortly after the goal there was a poor challenge on Richards that led to a stoppage and saw the player have to leave the field and head off for treatment. Groom replaced him before Derby also came back into midfield.

But the disruption to the game didn’t stop the U16s flow and, soon afterwards, goals came from Lartice, following an excellent through ball from Nkereuwem, and then a sixth goal, this time from fellow midfielder Derby who had been involved in some great interchange play with the strikers before continuing his run into the box and finishing from a Lartice cross.

King’s Hill had their keeper to thank for keeping the score line down at this stage of the game as he made excellent saves from Richards and Rumball. He then tipped Rumball’s shot onto the cross bar and away with an excellent stop similar to his first half save. Hemmings, who had also come back on, saw his shot hit the post as he continued to terrorise the King’s Hill defence.

Both full backs, Gayle and Knoupe, showed their value to the team after their introductions with Knoupe’s trademark long throws and tenacity down the left and Gayle (a new signing for this season) showing that he can both track back and get forward effectively down the right. Mantle also led from the back as he fed balls through for the strikers to chase as the half wore on.

Further shots from Derby and free kicks from Mantle continued but it was Hemmings who helped the U16s finish with a flourish as he completed a hat trick in 8 second half minutes. His first was from yet another superb Cornhill cross while his second and third were wonderful displays of skill, confidence and determination as his team mates continued to press on the visitors and create chances for him to put away.

Two King’s Hill players were booked in the closing stages of the game as frustration got the better of them but it was a sterling performance from the Oyster Boys who now head into the next round of the county cup.

Full time 9-1

Team:
Allom
Bunn
Wade
Groom
Cornhill
Rumball (c)
Hill
Derby
Lartice
Hemmings
Salisbury

Subs:
Knoupe
Mantle
Richards
Gayle
Nkereuwem

Match details

Match date

Sun 25 Sep 2022

Kickoff

14:30

Meet time

13:30

Instructions

Red home kit please.
Team overview
Further reading