U16s KYL side secure runner’s up spot in the league after dominant away day performance

With the league title beyond their grasp, the U16s needed to secure three points in this away fixture in order to confirm their position as league runner’s up.

The game began in a fast and furious manner with the boggy grass surface giving both teams problems holding on to possession. But Whitstable started the better of the two sides and after a couple of early efforts at goal, the U16s were ahead as early as the sixth minute with a smart finish from midfielder Alfie Hill.

It came after Whitstable striker Jake Salisbury did what he has been doing brilliantly all this season - winning a clearance and getting ahead of his marker. The striker controlled it well and as the Tunbridge keeper came out to challenge for it, Salisbury got there first and the ball fell kindly to Hill who had raced up the pitch alongside him and was well positioned to slot the loose ball home.

After the goal Whitstable continued to create further chances and found particular favour down the left hand side with left-back Will Knoupe delivering a commanding performance winning every ball that came near him and connecting play with winger Sonnie Hemmings.

In midfield Callum Groom and Hill were making their presence felt, breaking up Tunbridge attacks as the home side tried to breach Whitstable’s solid back line.

But the home side did create some chances and had a couple of shots in the opening 15 minutes. But their efforts were tame and they didn’t trouble keeper Stan Allom. And even when a ball hit a bobble - catching out right back Leo Cornhill - the resulting strike was well off target.

Groom then paid the price for a brave challenge outside the Whitstable box as he took a bad knock and had to be replaced by Will Derby.

The U16s continued to press for a second goal and went close when centre back Ollie Bunn connected well with a Harrison Wade free kick with his header going just shy of the post. Hemmings was also warming to the game and starting to put the Tunbridge right back under pressure with his mazy runs. He was combining well with Salisbury and had an effort on goal in the 17th minute that was blocked following some great work down the wing.

Captain Archie Rumball had an outstanding game as well and alongside Salisbury was winning many headers and knock ons from throw-ins, corners and goal kicks.

The U16s nearly had their second goal of the game after 20 minutes when an excellent Cornhill corner resulted in a scramble in the box but the referee saw a handball and the chance was gone. Hemmings then had two shots in quick succession but they went just wide while Lartice had an opportunity at the back post following a Knoupe corner.

A few minutes later, however, Whitstable’s dominance proved overwhelming for their hosts and they did have their second goal via a smart finish by Derby.

Again it came from excellent work and trickery down the left hand side by Hemmings who then fed Salisbury. The striker became provider for the second time in the game as he neatly squared it to Derby inside the box and the midfielder placed his shot beyond the keeper and into the back of the net.

Whitstable then had to contend with further first half changes as Lartice was replaced by fellow winger Richards in the 24th minute. Richards wasted no time in getting involved in the game as he began putting some fine crosses into the box. Rumball also wanted in on the act and had an effort from distance but the Tunbridge keeper was equal to it.

At the other end, the U16s had to be alert as Tunbridge kept putting balls over the top and had some pacey players who were looking to connect with the passes. Keeper Allom had to pull off a smart save from close range soon afterwards and Rumball had to do some work in his own half of the pitch as he made an excellent recovery challenge when a teammate had lost the ball.

In the 36th minute Whitstable thought they had a chance to make it three nil from the penalty spot as Salisbury, who had once again won the ball and taken it past the home side’s defence, suffered a clear two handed shove from one of the Wells defenders and ended up on the turf inside the box. The referee waved it away however despite the protests of the U16s.

In the final few minutes of the first half Whitstable continued to press. There were further excellent corners from Knoupe and shots from Salisbury and Richards. Rumball went close again but the Tunbridge keeper saved his effort once more. And just as the U16s broke away yet again, the official blew his whistle and the half was over.

Half time 0-2

The coaches rang the changes at the half time break with right back Ioannis Gayle, striker Alfie Mantle and a returning Lartice coming onto the pitch.

Gayle wasted no time getting into the mix as he got stuck in with his trademark fair but full blooded challenges. And it proved a bright and breezy start to the second period with both teams creating chances to score.

The home side had the better of the U16s for the first five minutes of the half and Allom was called upon to make a brilliant point blank save following a corner that the U16s didn’t deal with.

But at the other end Salisbury responded with an audacious volley that left the keeper flat footed and was unlucky to only clip the cross bar.

In defence, the U16s resolute back line of Wade, Bunn, Gayle and Knoupe proved too strong for Tunbridge and they dealt with everything that was thrown at them. This created a strong framework for the attacking players in the team to make use of as they piled forward. Wade and Bunn were again outstanding in the centre of defence and showed why the U16s have conceded the lowest amount of goals in the league this season.

And only seven minutes after the restart Whitstable were three goals to the good.

It came from a long throw delivered by Mantle that was flicked on to Lartice who was waiting at the back post to poke it in.

At this stage the game looked to be over particularly as the U16s continued to drive forward and had opportunities to score further goals with efforts from Derby, Salisbury (whose effort was brilliantly saved), Richards and a Mantle shot that rattled the woodwork.

But against the run of play it was the home side that scored next.

It came after another long ball was put over the back of the Whitstable defenders and as the U16s raced back to clear it the Tunbridge striker went to ground. It looked for all the world that the Wells player had tripped without interference from a Whitstable player but the referee pointed to the spot and awarded a penalty.

Keeper Allom guessed the wrong way and Tunbridge had a goal back from the spot.

The next five minutes proved a tough battle with the home side thinking they had enough time to perhaps get another goal or two while Whitstable were looking to extend their advantage.

And it was Whitstable who proved the stronger of the two teams as Mantle scored for the second game in a row and settled the tie.

Mantle had proved a handful for the Wells defenders since his half time introduction and he compounded the home side’s misery as he received a lovely weighted pass, evaded one stretching defender’s boot and then the on-rushing keeper before smashing the ball into the back of an empty net.

But even at four one down, the home side weren’t done and Allom had to make two stunning saves in the final 10 minutes of the game to keep Whitstable’s three goal advantage intact.

The U16s were looking to increase their goal tally too as Knoupe profited from another Richards run with a shot and Rumball was foiled again by the Tunbridge keeper who made an excellent save, pushing the ball out for a corner. Groom came back on to the pitch and had a chance to score as did Hemmings with a free kick late on in the game. And Lartice thought he was going to grab another goal as he fooled the Wells defender who was marking him, turning him inside out but his resulting shot was met with an equally strong save by the Tunbridge keeper.

In the final minutes of the game the U16s had to deal with a succession of corners but deal with them they did and the game ended in a 4-1 victory for the Oyster Boys.

The victory meant that Whitstable confirmed their final position of the season as second with two games to spare. Next they host Sheppey at the Belmont under the floodlights in early May before an away trip to Hastings beckons to bring the season to a close.

Full time 1-4

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

Subs:
Derby
Gayle
Mantle
Richards