U16s show clinical edge in coastal encounter at The Belmont

In what has become a frequent occurrence between these two teams, it was another competitive and close coastal encounter between Whitstable and Folkestone with the activity on the sidelines almost as feisty as those on the pitch.

Whitstable came into the game sitting fourth in the table with Folkestone in second although the seasiders had played two more games than the oyster boys. But Whitstable had reason to be confident coming off the back of an excellent performance against league leaders Deal in their last home game and having beaten Folkestone in the cup at Three Hills just before Christmas.

Striker Jake Salisbury netted his 10th league and cup goal this season while midfield captain Archie Rumball headed in his fourth of the campaign to give Whitstable the win in this Kent youth league game.

Whitstable started the game in strong fashion completely dominating the Folkestone half and managing to get shots away from Alfie Hill, winger Dylan Richards as well as fashioning opportunities from the feet of Salisbury and Sonnie Hemmings, all within the opening 10 minutes of the game.

But Folkestone showed the threat they offered as keeper Stan Allom had to come out smartly and centre backs Ollie Bunn and Harrison Wade had to be alert to deal with a couple of chances that fell to the away side in quick succession.

But the U16s continued their dominance of the opening period of the match as outstanding left back Will Knoupe delivered an excellent free kick that led to a chance for Bunn who had sneaked up to the top of the pitch for the set piece. The oyster boys had another chance when Salisbury was fouled and right back Leo Cornhill drifted in an excellent free kick.

But Folkestone were not cowed and as the game moved into the second part of the first half, they started to gain a foothold in the match. They managed to break with an excellent counter attack after Hemmings had been robbed and Bunn and Wade had to deal with a good free kick that threatened the U16s goal.

Midfielders Archie Rumball and Will Derby were showing excellent energy in the middle of the park as they broke up the Folkestone play and tried to set Hemmings and Richards off on the flanks. Derby won an excellent knock down that led to a chance but the flag went up for offside when it could have been a foul for the home side instead.

Folkestone had the ball in the net after 23 minutes but it was a clear foul after Allom had claimed the cross and had the ball knocked out of his hands. But it showed the Whitstable coaches that without scoring a goal in their opening period of dominance, the U16s had let the visitors back into the game and were starting to look like they might sneak a goal. Callum Groom came on for Derby as Whitstable looked to get back on to the front foot.

Salisbury was proving a handful up front against a strong Folkestone back line and was playing in confident form. And in the 30th minute he showed how difficult he was to play against as he netted his seventh goal in the last 8 games and moved into double figures for goals this season in league and cup. It was an excellent cross in from Groom and he finished it clinically into the middle of the goal as he put the ball over the top of the on-rushing keeper.

Groom was proving a positive impact on the field and he combined well with Richards and then Hemmings as the winger found himself close to making it two nil but was denied by an excellent save. But Folkestone didn’t give up and they had a shot that went just wide and a free kick in a dangerous position before the half was out.

Half time 1-0

Whitstable started the second half in bright fashion but somehow couldn’t seem to get their normal fluid passing game going. Some credit for this must go to the visitors who kept a close eye on the U16s and wouldn’t give them a moment’s peace on the ball.

But the home side did fashion some early chances to extend their lead with a couple of shots from Hill. But something still wasn’t quite clicking in the first 5 minutes of the half.

Again the coaches decided it was time for a change as Alfie Mantle came on up front to replace Salisbury and winger Jamie Lartice replaced Richards. Lartice had an immediate impact on the flanks and was giving the Folkestone left back - and then the right back - a torrid time.

Ioannis Gayle came on for Cornhill and began to combine well with Lartice as part of a new look right hand side of the pitch. The U16s really showed their strength in depth as midfielder Alex Brownett came on for Hill after 54 minutes. Brownett slotted in well in the middle of the park alongside Groom and Rumball and got the ball through for the strikers to attack on several occasions.

Mantle showed his prowess too as Hemmings made an excellent run and laid on a nice through ball for him. But despite the U16s efforts, it was Folkestone who were starting to look more dangerous.

In the 57th minute the visitors had an excellent chance to level but their striker somehow missed the ball and Allom could coolly collect. The game was getting scrappy and as Whistable failed to retain the ball, it was Folkestone who threatened again and again - particularly as Whitstable started to give away a series of unnecessary free kicks in their own half.

Bunn was proving strong and resolute at the back making several important tackles as the visitors broke through. The home side were then left biting their nails as Folkestone won a free kick on the edge of the box with the resulting shot going just inches wide of Allom’s post.

But the home side continued to battle. Rumball had an outstanding game and both Groom and Gayle were showing their willingness to get stuck in. The U16s started to create better chances - a good number of them on the break as the game became stretched. Lartice had a shot but it hit the side netting, Brownett was denied when through by a great defensive tackle following a Groom pass and Hemmings continued to put together runs that tested the Folkestone back line.

And with only the second corner of the game, Whitstable’s determination paid off. Another excellent Cornhill corner was lofted in from the left hand side and with a queue of players attacking it, captain Rumball proved himself the most nimble of the lot as he met the cross with a powerful header that the Folkestone keeper had no chance of keeping out. The goal came in the 73rd minute and should have settled the home side after a period of unease.

But the old adage of being at your most vulnerable after scoring proved true once more as, straight from the kick off, Folkestone worked themselves a brilliant opportunity with the ball ending up at the feet of one of their strikers. He took his touch and shot brilliantly but was denied by an outstanding save by Allom who managed to palm it away to safety and keep his clean sheet intact.

The final seven minutes of the game were fortunately more calm as the U16s saw the win out successfully to keep the pressure on the teams above them at the top of the league.

Next up for the U16s is a series of away fixtures at Hastings, Bromley (in the next round of the cup) and then at Folkestone before February is out.

Full time 2-0

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

Subs:
Brownett
Groom
Gayle
Mantle
Lartice

Photo: Kathryn Derby