Super saves can’t stop the U16s slipping out of the cup at Bromley

The KYL U16s will be disappointed to be out of the cup after a terrific performance away at Bromley that was settled by a goal for the home side 10 minutes before the end. The U16s keeper Stan Allom had another outstanding performance pulling out a series of stunning saves to keep the Bromley’s strikers at bay while the Oyster boys were left frustrated by a clear penalty that wasn’t given early in the second half.

The Oyster boys travelled to Bromley full of confidence following a series of excellent performances and by being undefeated in their last five matches. They’d last met Bromley (who sit at the top of the strongest KYL league in the age group and haven’t lost so far this season) in a pre-season friendly that ended in a 4-3 victory to Bromley but with Whitstable down to ten men for a significant portion of the game.

The U16s were missing a few key personnel today due to half-term school trips but the squad showed no element of weakness which was just as well, as the game started in fiery fashion and was end to end with the game being played at a blistering pace.

Bromley put immediate pressure on the visitors and in the first minute the U16s required a sliding tackle from midfielder Alfie Hill to thwart an attack before Allom made his first wonderful save of the game a minute later.

Bromley were proving dangerous down the right hand side but centre backs Harrison Wade and Alfie Mantle defended stoutly while left and right backs, Will Knoupe and Leo Cornhill, battled hard and started to bring the wingers into play.

Bromley had another chance in the sixth minute from a corner but they headed over.

After Mantle and Hill combined to clear a couple of Bromley free kicks, the U16s started to settle into the game and began their trademark passing. But they also showed great tenacity to win the ball back from Bromley with wingers Sonnie Hemmings and Dylan Richards having to do their fair share of defending in order to break up the home side’s attacks.

Up front, Jake Salisbury was once again proving a handful as he continuously won knock-ons and free kicks as he was manhandled by the Bromley defenders. After 15 minutes his efforts won Whitstable a free kick as they started to put further pressure on the home side. Hemmings then had a fantastic run and Cornhill put in a great cross but it just drifted over the bar evading the Whitstable front line.

The battling in midfield earnt a booking for both sides before Bromley had the best chance of the game so far in the 17th minute when an excellent cross was met at the back post by their winger but he failed to get his shot on target.

As the half wore on it was Whitstable who started to create the better chances with Bromley restricted to chances on the break. Hemmings and midfielders Callum Groom and Archie Rumball were combining well and Richards had a lovely run down the wing but his fantastic cross could not be met by the outstretched boot of Salisbury. It was Whitstable’s best chance of the game so far. Groom then had a chance himself just moments later but that went agonisingly wide.

But Bromley’s chances on the break were starting to come thick and fast. With a forward bearing down on him, Mantle slipped and the Bromley player took a shot that fortunately went wide. Then Allom made his next stunning save as Bromley thought they had broken the deadlock. Not only did he make a great save but he then got the ball moving quickly feeding Richards whose run earnt the U16s a corner. Mantle went up and met the corner with a header but it went over the bar.

Half time 0-0

Will Derby came on at half time for Groom and the game continued in the same vein of entertainment and lightning pace as the first half.

Mantle and Cornhill at the back were proving very impressive with an excellent reading of the game. And the U16s were creating more chances with Hemmings continuing to press the Bromley back line and look to bring Salisbury into the picture.

Richards was proving a menace down the left hand side and looked like he had won a clear penalty when he robbed the Bromley defender of the ball before being hauled back in the box by the same player. Both sets of coaches were as stunned as the crowd when the referee somehow played on despite the obvious nature of the foul.

Richards was then replaced by Jamie Lartice who marked his entry to the fray with a shot inside two minutes that stung the Bromley keeper’s hands. Hemmings and Salisbury both then had shots and Knoupe had the opportunity to put in further free kicks as Salisbury was fouled once again.

But Bromley were still a danger with Allom being called into action on several occasions. Rumball had an impressive game and combined well with Derby who kept the team’s discipline as the U16s continued to win back the ball and look to play it around and open up the home side.

It was a fascinating cup tie and a very good demonstration of the level of skill from both teams. And with it being such a tight game there was a feeling that only one goal was needed to win it.

Whitstable then showed their defensive prowess as Allom made two stunning saves in quick succession. The first came as Bromley broke quickly and their goal-bound effort was tipped away by the super stopper before Allom delivered another remarkable save from the resulting corner.

Not to be outdone by his keeper, as another Bromley effort flew towards the goal, Cornhill produced a stunning goal-line header to clear the danger. Such was the force of the effort that he needed treatment after the ball was clear.

But despite several free kicks and further chances for Lartice, Hemmings and Rumball it was Bromley who broke the deadlock in the 70th minute.

Predictably it came as Bromley broke and after a good run by their midfielder who got slightly lucky with a ricochet he then finished with aplomb shooting into the bottom corner of Allom’s goal.

The remaining minutes of the game showed the U16s pushing forward to try and get an equaliser while Bromley were happy to try and wind down the clock. One of their main offenders was eventually booked for time wasting.

But despite a late surge, Whitstable couldn’t find that elusive goal and the game ended in defeat.

It’s back to league business next week for the U16s with an away game at Folkestone but they can feel very proud of their performance today with defeat coming in the very tightest of margins.

Full time 1-0

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

Subs
Derby
Gayle
Lartice