U16s pass their way to victory over The Wells at The Belmont

Whitstable’s U16s extended their unbeaten run to five games as they swept aside a lively Tunbridge side on Sunday morning at the Belmont ground. Goals from Alfie Mantle, Jamie Lartice and Jake Salisbury gave the KYL side a well deserved victory despite a bumpy period at the start of the second half when the visitors threatened an upset.

There was a surprise change at the start of the game as the normally settled back line saw Harrison Wade on the bench with Alfie Mantle coming on in his place. But the U16s defence was as organised as ever and it was clear why they have the best defensive record in the league so far this season.

Tunbridge Wells were a slightly unknown factor having only completed five league games before today suffering defeats at the hands of Margate, Folkestone and Chatham but beating Herne Bay heavily - a team that Whitstable had struggled to break down in their home fixture.

The Wells started brightly with a free kick inside the first couple of minutes and blasting a shot over the Whitstable bar a few minutes later. But Mantle and fellow centre back Ollie Bunn were commanding and with midfield generals Alfie Hill and Archie Rumball winning the lion’s share of possession and 50-50 balls in the middle of the park, the home side soon settled into a rhythm and got the ball moving around the pitch.

But their growing dominance in the game wasn’t leading to clear cut chances. Striker Salisbury and winger Dylan Richards were combining well on the right but Tunbridge were well organised and had several players onto them quickly. Richards managed to get a couple of shots away in the first 20 minutes while fellow winger Sonnie Hemmings had a great run down the left hand side and delivered a nice cross. Unfortunately there was no-one there to meet it and five minutes later, Salisbury found his nicely worked cross similarly going to waste.

The visitors had their own chances too - particularly on the break - and captain Rumball had to put in an excellent block from a Wells shot before Bunn made sure with a clearance.

But the U16s were starting to pile on the pressure on the visitors as they started to pass the ball around their opponents and look for openings. And although Whitstable keeper Stan Allom had to come out smartly on one occasion and Bunn had to keep sweeping up the odd through ball, it was all Whitstable as the half went on.

The ever impressive right back Leo Cornhill put in some handy crosses and attacking midfielder Callum Groom was through on goal in the 25th minute but slipped at the last moment in the box. Groom continued to battle however and the pressure eventually led to a corner.

Left back Will Knoupe - who had been connecting well with Hemmings up the left flank - delivered a lovely cross from the corner which several players had a swing at. As the ball ricocheted around the box it fell at the feet of Mantle who swept it into the back of the net in the 33rd minute.

It was no more than Whitstable deserved and they saw out the remainder of the first half with sustained periods of passing as the Wells players started to tire.

Half time 1-0

Harrison Wade came on at half time for Bunn who had taken a knock and the new centre back was immediately put to the test as Tunbridge again started the half the brighter of the two teams.

They put the press on to Whitstable with a free kick in the opening minute of the half and then Allom had to be at his best to tip a shot just over the cross bar with a fantastic save. But the warning signs were there and when Whitstable lost the ball in their own half, Tunbridge countered quickly and as the U16s scrambled to put in a tackle the Wells player placed a well taken shot beyond the reach of Allom and into the back of the net. Tunbridge had clawed their way back into the game to level things.

Whitstable needed to respond but it was Allom who kept them in the game in the 53rd minute when he pulled off another outstanding save as the visitors started to pepper his goal with shots. The backline were being resolute for the U16s but the coaches had seen enough and after 55 minutes they made four simultaneous changes.

Rumball, Hill, Groom and Richards departed with Alex Brownett, Will Derby, Jamie Lartice and Michael Nkereuwem entering the fray in an attempt to stem the flow of the Wells attacks and steer the game back in Whitstable’s favour.

The tide started to turn as Salisbury and Mantle both created openings in the visitors half. Then Will Knoupe capped a fine performance with a wonderful free kick that was lofted into the box and met by Salisbury who connected with it perfectly, after making a fantastic run behind the Wells defenders, and put the ball beyond the outstretched hands of the Tunbridge keeper.

Suddenly Whitstable were purring again as they began to create chance after chance.

Hemmings wanted in on the action and had a shot and Knoupe took another fantastic free kick after Lartice had made an excellent run which was cynically brought to a halt by the Wells captain who earnt a booking for his efforts. The resulting Knoupe free kick ended in what the home side thought was a second goal for Mantle but he was flagged offside. Again though it was Salisbury who had met the free kick and who continued to look dangerous throughout the game.

Derby and Nkereuwem beefed up the midfield, breaking up the Tunbridge attacks and getting the ball into the feet of Brownett, Hemmings and Lartice as the U16s looked to further extend their lead. But the away side were dangerous on the break and once again it was Allom who kept the U16s lead intact as he made a brave save at the feet of the Wells striker as he broke into the box at speed.

It proved a pivotal save as only two minutes later, the U16s made it 3-1. Again, Knoupe was the provider and Salisbury the receiver but this time the goal-happy striker played it across the box to Lartice who calmly collected it and drove his shot perfectly into the corner of the goal.

Cornhill and Derby were reading the Wells play excellently, stepping in to rob them of possession and moving the ball forward to continue the momentum. Nkereuwem had a powerful run himself as he drove down the right hand side while Hemmings continued to probe with his trickery ultimately earning the home side a free kick just outside the box.

Dusting himself down to take the set piece, the winger crafted a well taken shot that just grazed the cross bar before drifting away.

It proved to be the last action of a very entertaining game where Whitstable had to gather their strength to get back into it and turn their positive play into a result.

With second placed Folkestone - who Whitstable had beaten two nil last week - losing again this week to Chatham, Whitstable remain in fourth but still have two games in hand over them. However, Chatham are now starting to move up the table themselves and sit above Whitstable on goal difference meaning today was an important win for the Oyster boys. League leaders Deal remain in strong form winning again and sitting at the top of the league with a lead of six points.

Next week the Oyster boys play at Bromley in a cup tie before facing consecutive away league games with rivals Folkestone and Chatham.

Full time 3-1

Team
Allom
Bunn
Mantle
Cornhill
Knoupe
Groom
Hill
Rumball (c)
Hemmings
Richards
Salisbury

Subs:
Derby
Brownett
Wade
Lartice
Nkereuwem