whitstable151005

Thursday 01st September 2005

Acland hails promising Hurst

Saturday 15th October 2005	Kentish Observer League	Thomas Hawes reports from The Belmont
Whitstable Town	0
Erith & Belvedere	2	Akif 36 Innocent 75

Erith & Belvedere reduced the gap between themselves and the top three after a fine 2-0 victory at the Belmont against a Whitstable side unbeaten in four league outings, writes Thomas Hawes.

Goals from Ozzie Akif and Anton Innocent sealed a 2-0 win for the Deres against a disappointing Whitstable side.

The Oystermen were fortunate to lose by just two goals a combination of a hat-trick of opportunities squandered by Erith top scorer Chris Dickson and poor refereeing saved the Oystermen's blushes.

The first half had few opportunities, but the Deres bossed the play. Youngster Chris Hurst showed why he's been promoted from the reserve side when, in the closing stages of the first half, he sprinted to the by-line before pulling the ball back for Ozzie Akif to register his first goal for the Deres.

A stunning second half performance, in which numerous chances were created, could have produced three of four goals, but the Deres often lacked composure. In the end, the Deres got another deserved goal, Anton Innocent latching onto another Hurst through ball, which he coolly slotted home at the second attempt.

Dickson had a goal disallowed in the closing stages, but Manager Mick Acland was still delighted with the performance.

"We battled well against a strong side and in the end, thoroughly deserved to win the match," said the Deres boss.

"They put us under some strong pressure early in the second half but we had the answers to every question they asked us.

"Our front two were excellent in their half and our back four held fast in ours. Of course there were some tricky moments, but we more than held our own.

"Young Chris Hurst did a fantastic job for us on the right side of midfield and when Tommy Martin came on in the second half, he ran the show.

"I am very happy with the three points and we can look forward to meeting Erith Town at Park View Road next Saturday."