The U16s endured another tough away day this Sunday, falling to the same result and scoreline as in their cup exit at Cray last week. And despite showing some good promise and play at numerous times in this weekend’s game, they struggled to deal with the home side’s forward line and conceded at pivotal times in the game.

The first half was fairly evenly matched with Deal perhaps creating the slightly better opportunities, using their right wing in particular to stretch the play and providing several through balls for their two strikers to chase. They had shots as early as the 4th minute but it was a comfortable save for Stan Allom before a more dangerous cross was put into the box in the 8th minute. Right back Leo Cornhill had to make an excellent tackle before clearing.

Whitstable started to play some good football themselves with midfielders Alfie Hill, Will Derby and Sonnie Hemmings combining well on the left hand side before Hill’s chance was snuffed out by a strong Deal backline.

Wingers Jamie Lartice and Hemmings were also combining well as the U16s started to show more promise. Shots rained in from Lartice and Leo Cornhill continued to provide excellent corners and had a shot himself. On the left hand side Will Knoupe was also putting some great free kicks into the box but the Deal defenders were resolute and wouldn’t give Whitstable an inch.

The first goal of the game went to the home side who broke away quickly and with Whitstable caught on the hoof, a corner was conceded instead of a clearance being made. As the corner came in, it was Deal who got to it first with a header crashing against the crossbar before another Deal player met the rebound and headed the ball into the back of the net.

As the first half progressed there were further chances at both ends. Centre back Ollie Bunn had a header from a corner that flashed wide while Knoupe and Harrison Wade put in some great crosses and free kicks. One of Knoupe’s free kicks was met by striker Jake Salisbury but his effort also went wide of the post.

At the other end Allom made a fantastic double save to keep the U16s in the game before the half time whistle blew.

Half time 1-0

The U16s made several changes at the break with Dylan Richards and Callum Groom coming on for Lartice and Derby. With Alfie Mantle coming on for Knoupe moments later the U16s started the second half in bright fashion and on the front foot.

They were winning more of the fifty-fifty balls and starting to thread their passes together. Richards was dynamic on the right wing as he got past the Deal left back on several occasions. Hemmings was also enjoying a better half on the left hand side of the pitch as Whitstable started to take more opportunities to shoot although efforts from Groom, Salisbury and Hemmings went either over the bar or wide.

There was little for Allom to do for the first 15 minutes of the second half but despite the momentum the team had gained and the improvement in their overall play, the U16s conceded a goal against the run of play making it two nil to Deal with 20 minutes to go. It was another long ball that Whitstable failed to deal with as their opponents broke fast and finished clinically at the far post.

It was a cruel blow for the U16s but they pressed on. They continued to create more chances and had more shots - again Groom, Salisbury and Hemmings all having efforts - but none of them troubled the Deal keeper. The U16s also had good opportunities with free kicks with Mantle’s effort going across the six yard box but without anyone there to prod it home.

Alex Brownett came on in midfield to add some energy and attack and Ioannis Gayle came on at left back but it was the Whitstable defence that was put under pressure and although Bunn and Wade made some wonderful clearances, Deal again showed their strength and pace up front by scoring a third goal.

With only a few minutes left on the clock, the U16s got a goal back after a scramble in the box - captain Archie Rumball on the score sheet - but that short moment of joy was snatched away when Deal added a fourth goal only a minute or so later, again from another quick break.

It was a disappointing morning’s work for the team who ended up conceding an unlucky goal when they looked to be getting back into the game after showing much more of their usual prowess and promise.

The team have a week’s break now before heading to Folkestone in a cup tie for their final game of the year ahead of the Christmas and New Year break.

Full time 4-1

Team

Allom
Bunn
Wade
Knoupe
Cornhill
Hill
Rumball (c)
Derby
Lartice
Hemmings
Salisbury

Subs:
Gayle
Groom
Brownett
Richards
Mantle