WTFC U16s KYL
Matches
Sun 08 Jan 2023
Herne Bay FC U16
0
3
Whitstable Town Football Club
WTFC U16s KYL
J Salisbury (23'), (41'), A Rumball (60')
Derby day victory at Herne Bay for KYL U16s

Derby day victory at Herne Bay for KYL U16s

Joel Derby8 Jan 2023 - 14:26
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https://www.whitstabletownfc.c

U16s sweep local rivals aside in three nil away win

The new year started in bright fashion for Whitstable’s U16 KYL side as they delivered a commanding performance at Winch’s field winning the game comfortably and limiting Herne Bay to only one or two shots throughout the game. A brace from striker Jake Salisbury and a goal from captain Archie Rumball helped to provide the win but there could have been more goals as Salisbury had a goal chalked off for offside and clipped the cross bar with another effort.

Following a challenging 21-22 season, Herne Bay had performed strongly so far this season and sat above Whitstable in the league before the game having beaten Sheppey, Margate twice and drawn against Whitstable at the Belmont where the U16s could not break them down.

Straight from the whistle today though, the U16s showed their determination to get on the front foot and continue where they had left off at the end of last year in their cup victory away at Folkestone. As early as the first minute of the game, midfielder Alfie Hill put in a cross and moments later had a shot himself. Fellow midfielder Callum Groom was also putting himself about and had a chance with a header not long afterwards.

Herne Bay’s only real period of possession and opportunities came in the first 10 minutes of the game when keeper Stan Allom had to pull off a fantastic save in order to tip the ball around the post. It had followed a short spell when the home side were starting to get some joy down the right hand side of the pitch and from long balls they were lofting into the Whitstable half.

But after that important save from Allom his goal was rarely troubled for the remainder of the game until the home side had a brief flourish in the final 5 minutes.

This was partly due to another strong and resolute defensive performance from the U16s with outstanding work from Ollie Bunn, Harrison Wade, Will Knoupe and Leo Cornhill. Wade had one of his strongest games to date reading the game well and keeping any hint of danger away from his keeper.

After this short period of the home side’s possession, the U16s took control of the game and delivered their best passing of the season so far. Achieving a season’s high of 84% successful passes, they moved the ball around the pitch with calm and grace but always with the idea of probing the Herne Bay backline which they started to do more and more as the first half ticked on.

Chances started to come through winger Jamie Lartice, Groom - who had his shot well saved by the Herne Bay keeper from close range - and Sonnie Hemmings. Hemmings created a wonderful chance on the 20 minute mark as he drove with the ball all the way from the Whitstable half and took a shot that only just went over the Herne Bay bar.

Hemmings continued to probe and two minutes later his trickery and clever feet earned the U16s a free kick just outside the box. Lartice’s ensuing free kick didn’t beat the wall but the U16s re-worked the ball to fashion another chance. Lartice ran with the ball at the Herne Bay backline and put in a lovely cross that striker Salisbury calmly placed into the far corner of the Herne Bay net.

Alfie Hill was working his socks off in midfield and Wade was called into action to clear up after Herne Bay tried to break through in response to the opening goal. Wade won the ball excellently but was felled by the home side’s striker whose late challenge earned him the first yellow card of the game. Herne Bay had a corner with ten minutes of the half remaining but nothing came of it and it seemed more likely that Whitstable would score again rather than the home team getting back into the game.

And they nearly did score again a few minutes later when Salisbury broke free but saw his shot that beat the keeper graze the top of the cross bar and drift over. Further chances came for the U16s through Groom and Lartice, helped by excellent deliveries from Knoupe and Cornhill, but at the break only one goal divided the teams.

Half time 0-1

Such was the strength of the first half performance from the U16s that no changes were made at the break and the decision paid off immediately as they were two goals to the good less than a minute after the restart.

It was winger Lartice, playing against his old team, who was proving a menace down the left wing and who made a wonderful run taking on and beating several players before delivering a perfect ball into the six yard box for Salisbury to capitalise on. It was no more than the U16s deserved and it seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home side.

Two minutes later though, Lartice had to be replaced. He had raced back to help with the defending as the home side tried to find an avenue back into the game and made an important block to stop a cross coming in. As he hobbled off the pitch he was replaced by Dylan Richards. But if Herne Bay thought they might get a reprieve on the flanks from the change, they were wrong.

Richards swapped wings with Hemmings and Whitstable continued to dominate the game with both players weaving in and out of the Herne Bay defence and creating more chances. In fact, Salisbury thought he had netted his hat trick with a fine finish just inside the box but it was unfortunately ruled offside.

Richards showed excellent strength and skill in one particular move as he drove with the ball from the right wing into the middle of the pitch evading the attempts of several Herne Bay players to rob him of the ball.

Moments later, with Whitstable in control, the managers started to make further changes and increase the pressure on the home side. Midfielder Alex Brownett came on for Knoupe with the versatile Groom switching to left back before Mantle came on for Salisbury up top and Will Derby replaced Hill in the centre of midfield.

The changes in personnel didn’t affect the team’s approach to the game with Derby, Brownett, Richards and Mantle effortlessly slotting in and giving the home side new problems to consider. Captain Archie Rumball had an excellent game too marshalling the middle of the park and connecting passes through the team.

Soon after Groom received a caution for preventing play from continuing, the U16s had their third goal. Hemmings was the provider and Rumball finished off the move with aplomb to put the game beyond the reaches of Herne Bay with 20 minutes of the game still to go.

But despite the three goal lead, Whitstable didn’t let up and with Michael Nkereuwem coming on for goal scorer Rumball, the U16s pressed on and had good chances from Hemmings that could have increased the score line.

With five minutes to go, Whitstable should have made it four but neither Mantle or Lartice could quite get the ball as they wanted it and the Herne Bay stopper made another excellent save to keep the scoreline respectable. Mantle had another chance with a header soon afterwards but couldn’t quite get it on target.

As the game dwindled to a close, the home side fashioned a couple of decent chances but their free kick from the edge of the Whitstable box flashed wide and a cross moments later was missed by their attacking players.

It was an excellent performance from Whitstable’s U16s who showed an exceptional level of maturity, determination and organisation to win what could have been a tricky tie in such comfortable fashion.

Full time 0-3

Team:
Allom
Bunn
Harrison
Cornhill
Knoupe
Hill
Rumball
Groom
Lartice
Hemmings
Salisbury

Subs:
Derby
Brownett
Mantle
Richards
Nkereuwem

Match details

Match date

Sun 08 Jan 2023

Kickoff

10:00

Meet time

09:00

Instructions

Yellow away kit please.
Team overview
Further reading