Saturday's Reports: Marshall: I'm happy at Whitstable

INCLUDES MATCH REPORTS FROM SATURDAY'S GAMES

Whitstable Town striker Steve Marshall is enjoying life at the promotion chasing Kent League club despite being knocked out of the FA Cup by Margate and receiving a nasty head wound after an accidental clash of heads with Chris Wild yesterday.

Whitstable’s evergreen striker, 34, had to go to hospital after picking up the injury in the enthralling second qualifying round tie, which Margate won courtesy of two late goals from Lawrence Yiga and James Pinnock, after Jake Gess grabbed the Oystermen the lead, against the run of play, after 40 minutes.

Marshall, who was patched up by club physi Graham Brown during the game and returned to the fray after laying prostrate for some minutes midway through the second half, needed four stitches to his head wound.

“It was a fantastic game to be involved in,” Marshall told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

“I am enjoying my football more than at any time in my career and the club have always treated me well, which I appreciate.

“I have a great relationship with the supporters and like to think I have proved a few doubters wrong over the last couple of years.

“When I joined Whitstable people said I was just passing through but I have been loyal to the club, my fitness is as good as its ever been and I am surrounded by quality players but no big time Charlies at the club.

“In Marc (Seager) we have a good manager and we all just look about for each other and with three other strikers at the club.

“Seags has always said we need a decent squad to see us through to the end of the season.

“Our defence is solid, Kev, (Kevin Fewell) is one of the best keepers in the league and we like to play football, we are not a lump it forward side, we like to keep the ball on the deck and pass it around at pace which suits my style.

“I told the chairman at the last game of last season one of my biggest regrets in football is that I did not join the club when I was younger.

“I still have the hunger and the desire to win things and keep playing for as long as I can.

“My home life is settled; my girlfriend Michelle has played a big part in my continuing to enjoy my football, I believe if things are going well off the pitch its far easier to just concentrate on the football.

“All in all, apart from not winning yesterday, life is good.”

For the third season out of the last six, Folkestone Invicta had to settle for a draw in a home FA Cup tie against Welling United despite again being the better side without being able to apply a knockout blow.

This time it was not the uprights which had denied Invicta – as it had been in both 2001 and 2003 – although the Folkestone side more than matched their Conference South opponents at a sunny Buzzlines Stadium.

Welling had been favourites on Saturday – as they will be again in Tuesday night’s replay – but by his own admission, manager Adie Pennock’s side were below par against an Invicta side which was unrecognisable from the team which had slumped to home defeats against both Harrow Borough and Leyton earlier this season.

The visitors had opened the scoring after 30 minutes when captain and centre half Chris Moore headed in a Jamie Day free kick following a foul by Samuel Kola Okikiolu on Danny Kedwell.

But the lead was to last for just nine minutes as centre forward Ellis Remy whacked the ball in off the underside of the crossbar from an acute angle with a powerful shot when striking partner Paul Jones nodded the ball down.

After three successive wins away from home, Invicta not surprisingly started with an unchanged eleven and the home side started well, although Welling centre half Ben Lewis headed wide a Day free kick after just two minutes.

Invicta player-coach Mark Saunders headed wide when a Steve Norman free kick right on the edge of the penalty area was charged down following a handball decision against Des Boateng after five minutes and a Jones shot on the turn was plucked out of the air by Welling goalkeeper Jamie Turner three minutes later.

Norman volleyed over when Jones played the ball across after 18 minutes and Saunders challenged in the box as Invicta won the first corner of the game.

Invicta won another corner five minutes later when captain Adam Flanagan played the ball in to Saunders and the ball fell to Jones and Remy headed over at the far post from Kevin Watson’s subsequent ball in from the right.

Welling made a double substitution at half time, with former Invicta favourite John Guest switching across from left back to right back.

But Invicta remained on top as Jones played the ball in to James Everitt after 50 minutes and Norman’s shot was saved by Turner for a corner.

Invicta were even closer from Norman’s subsequent ball in as captain Flanagan’s header was touched over by Turner for another corner.

Things were not going Welling’s way as Ellis Green shot wide after 52 minutes when substitute Ronayne Benjamin broke down the left hand side after receiving the ball from Day and playing the ball across to Kedwell.

But when a 58^th minute Watson free kick came back out Remy let fly at the other end with another piledriver, though this time over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Welling did not win a corner until the 65^th minute when Kedwell headed wide from Day’s ball in.

Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell had to save right on his goal line from Martin Carthy after 76 minutes when Kedwell’s cross from the left fell to Ellis at the far post.

Invicta brought both Walid Matata and Ben Sly on a minute later and both substitutes were involved after 82 minutes when Matata fired wide from the right hand side of the penalty area after a break from Sly.

Norman shot over from the edge of the box when a throw in from the right eventually fell to him as Invicta went in search of a late winner.

But Welling could have stolen it during stoppage time when Kedwell volleyed over from Benjamin’s left wing cross.

WELLING UNITED: Turner, Goodfellow (Soloman 45), Guest, Boateng, Moore, Lewis, Bodkin (Benjamin 45), Kedwell, Carthy, Green, Day. Subs: Rowland, Edusei, Hyde.

Sky sports news chose this match as their feature FA Cup game as they believed that there may have been an upset...unfortunately they were sadly mistaken as the gulf between full time Fisher and Sittingbourne was all to apparent.

The London side, who have lost just one out of their 11 Conference South games so far scored seven goals to a solitary Sittingbourne reply.

Fisher Manager Justin Edinburgh, a Tottenham FA Cup winner, has put together a powerful looking side that simply swept Sittingbourne aside.

It didn't make it any easier for the visitors when on the half hour they were down to 10 men after Clint Gooding was sent off for stamping on Leroy Griffiths.

The Sky sports news pictures seem to have suggested that it wasn't a deliberate stamp. However, that is little comfort now to Sittingbourne!

Sittingbourne began quite brightly and should have taken the lead on 7 minutes but the usually dependable Kieran Marsh missed his kick in the area following Andy Doerr's cross.

Two minutes later Sittingbourne were to rue this miss as Fisher took the lead through an unstoppable Anthony Riviere shot.

The Brickies came back well and a terrific cross from Mitchell Sherwood caused a collision between Fisher keeper Paul Nicholls and a defender and the ball bounced off for a corner.

From the corner the ball pinged around the Fisher area before Mark Lovell fired in a shot which rebounded off the keeper.

This early promise, however, didn't last and Fisher took command of the game producing lightening runs and good off the ball movement which often had the Brickies defence at full strength.

A bullet header by Tim Clancy whistled across the goal then an Ahmed Deen free kick just outside the area bounced off the Brickies wall for a corner.

From the corner Fisher's man of the match Charlie Hearn unleashed a tremendous shot which sailed past Sittingbourne keeper Steve Williams and into the net.

Sittingbourne were now well and truly up against it and a Fisher shot bounced off the underside of the bar.

Then came the stamping incident and the sending off and Sittingbourne might just as well have packed up and gone home!!

Unsurprisingly Fisher extended their lead on 42 minutes through some delightful football between Griffiths and Hearn culminating in Hearn slotting an easy looking goal past Williams.

Any hope the Brickies had of salvaging something from the game disappeared just after half time when almost straight from the kick off Deen played in Steve Watts who crashed the ball home.

A minute later a pinpoint cross found the unmarked Watts who headed against Williams but the ball bounced off the Brickies keeper and into the net for number 5.

Fisher looked as though they could score at will and on 54 minutes Riviere fired in number 6.

Jon Neal had replaced Doerr in the 55th minute and his ability to hold up the ball gave some little encouragement to the Brickies and sure enough after being on for just one minute Neal glanced the ball into the Fisher net following a Sherwood Kam Singh move to give the Brickies a consolation goal.

But Fisher were coasting and the unequal contest was taking its toll on the hard working Brickies defence who were now visibly tiring.

On 65 minutes the ball was taken to the by-line and crossed to the far post where Joe Healy was lurking and the Fisher substitute squeezed a good looking shot between Williams and the post for the seventh.

Williams then made some good blocks to foil the marauding Fisher strikers and that coupled with some glaring misses kept the score at 7-1!

This defeat got me looking at the record books and it turns out that this wasn't the record FA Cup defeat for the Brickies as the 1925 - 1926 team lost 7-0 to Swindon Town!!

Chatham Town were held to their fourth draw of the season by Burgess Hill Town at Maidstone Road yesterday.

In the opening 15 minutes Chatham played some excellent football and put the visitors defence under pressure.

Rob Denness, Luke Harvey and Mark Brooks combined well only to be foiled by Burgess Hill’s Man of the Match, keeper Andre Foster.

A misjudgement then let in Harvey whose shot was saved, whilst Darren Smith’s effort from the rebound was blocked.

Burgess Hill took the lead against the run of play after 23 minutes when Owen Hill reacted first to a loose ball in the Chats box and found the bottom corner with an accurate shot from 12 yards.

However Chatham didn’t take long to pull level, just three minutes in fact. A good run and cross from Brooks found Denness at the near post and although his effort was blocked, Darren Smith was following up well to power home the rebound into the roof of the net from just inside the box.

Towards the end of the half Glen Matten tested Chats keeper John Whitehouse from long range, but on both occasions he was equal to the task.

Both sides struggled to create openings in the second half. The only shots on goal all came from Chatham players with the closest coming from loan signing Jack Roberts.

His 25 yard effort looked destined for the top corner until Foster pulled off the save of the match to tip it over the bar at full stretch.

Substitute Luke Medley had the last attempt in stoppage time but his shot was just wide of the near post.

Chatham can take some positives from this game in that the defence of Binks, Boyle, Goodger and Davey still looks pretty solid and was hardly troubled at all in the second half.

However, despite creating far more openings than their opponents only one point was gained.

Chatham Town: Whitehouse, Binks, Davey, Goodger, Boyle, Best (Lyons 84), Smith, Brooks, Harvey, Denness (Medley 84), Roberts (Pulman 70). Subs: Larkin, Winter-Nolan.

Godalming Town 3-0 Ashford Town
Ryman League Division One South
Jack Wilson reports from Wey Court

Ashford Town endured a torrid time at Wey Court on Saturday, losing 3-0 to bottom of the table Godalming.

In a lacklustre opening 25 minutes, Ashford Town shipped three goals and never showed any signs of recovering to gift the G’s a first win of the season.

Due to Marc Cumberbatch arriving late and George Fenwick being unavailable, Ashford were forced to start Simon Glover in a more forward position alongside Richard Sinden.

Kenny Jarrett-Elliott returned to the left side of midfield, with centre back Stuart Playford starting alongside Dan Tanner.

It certainly proved a busy day for the defensive duo, as they were given a stern test by Godalming’s strike partnership of Shaun Lydon and Danny Newman.

The tall, blonde haired striker Newman was at the centre of all things good about the home side’s play, holding the ball up well to link up with the wide men throughout his stay on the pitch.

And it took the Godalming giant just nine minutes to open the scoring. Glen Stanley climbed above Ian Ross at the back post to head towards the bottom corner, but despite a fine save from Simon Overland, the ball fell to the feet of Newman who tucked home in impressive style.

Joe Chandrion could have then doubled the lead but for his shot to be deflected behind by Tom Adlington.

Minutes later the Nuts and Bolts had a rare chance when Jarrett-Elliott charged down goalkeeper Andy Parkinson’s clearance but the block ricocheted wide of the left post.

In fact this was one of just two chances Ashford Town had all game. The second though seemed gift-wrapped for Richard Sinden to reduce the arrears, but he failed to get his head on Allman’s second half free kick.

Godalming extended their lead when Joe Chandrion was let free by Stuart Playford to round Simon Overland with 20 minutes on the clock.

The G’s then grabbed a third just five minutes later. Glen Stanley again got on the end of a Roger Steer free kick to head into the path of Shaun Lydon, who made no mistake to slide the ball home in spite of a despairing slide from Dan Tanner.

After a woeful first half it was clear that Ashford needed a comeback of Istanbul proportions if they were to salvage anything from the game.

Instead, it was Godalming who continued to make all the running.  Stanley tested Overland midway through the second half, with Newman also coming close with a header that sailed over.

Manager and right back Roger Steer then introduced burly frontman Ahmed Tchankou to proceedings who looked dangerous, but the scoreline remained the same leaving the Ashford Town to reflect on a dire game played in front of just 69 supporters.

Godalming Town: Andy Parkinson, Roger Steer, Shaun Elliott, Paul Anderson,
Martin Beard, Chris Boulter, Glen Stanley (Craig Prendergast 75), James
Blason, Shaun Lydon (Ahmed Tchankou 63), Danny Newman, Joe Chandrion (James
Mariner 57)

Subs: Matt Steer, Danny Gowler

Ashford Town: Simon Overland, Tom Adlington, Ian Ross, Dan Tanner, Stuart
Playford (Marc Cumberbatch 69), Gary Clarke, Joby Thorogood, Anthony Allman,
Richard Sinden, Simon Glover, Kenny Jarrett-Elliott (Joff Thorogood 61)

Subs: Joe Hitchings

Attendance: 69

A five-match loosing run came to an end at Eden Park Avenue as Beckenham crushed Sporting Bengal 9-0. Jones Awuah getting a hat-trick.

As early as the first minute Beckenham Town were causing problems for the visitors. Awuah was sharper than Sporting’s defence following a neat one - two with Cable but his shot went inches wide.

Four minutes later, Cable broke through and pinched possession, firing in a high 20-yard shot that went just over.

The visitors were beginning to look comfortable on the ball and were managing to close Becks down quickly, despite this no chances created.

Former Beckenham Town player Chris Barrett was making his return debut and looked commanding in the air, while Tony Sinclair was finding space down the right flank.

A slick pass from Smith saw Cable in a race for the ball with the advancing keeper, Cable managed to get his toe to the ball and time stood still the ball rolled towards goal just grazing the wrong side of the post.

After 25 minutes minute there was a strong appeal for a penalty as Awuah was hustled off the ball.

Despite having the lions share of possession Beckenham looked a little nervous, this trend ensued until a Smith - Cable combination found Awuah who made no mistake from 10 yards.

Now with their tails up Beckenham Town pushed forward and it was Hart who made it two with a low drive that found the bottom left hand corner.

Going into the break Beckenham were looking confident while the visitors fought hard to get back into the match.

Five minutes after the restart Cable pounced on a stray ball and his fierce shot was deflected in by the impressive Awuah.

Within three minutes the game was put beyond Sporting when a very well taken goal by Curren found the back of the net.

Continued pressure led to further chances as the half progressed and the floodgates started to open when Danny Harris made a great run down the left and got to the by-line too cross to Cable who scored a well deserved goal just past the hour.

Ten minutes later Carew got in on the act with a cheeky back-heel that flew into the roof of the net.

Awuah then took his tally to three a minute later when he headed in a Carew cross.

Ten minutes before the final whistle Carew rounded the keeper to slot home and the afternoon was complete when Charlie Hawkes got the final touch in a goal mouth scramble.

This was the victory that Beckenham certainly needed to get their season back on track.

At times their passing looked very impressive but it was their clinical finishing that impressed. Hat trick hero Jones Awuha dedicated his goals to his deceased father on the anniversary of his passing.

Assistant manager Dave Memhet said: “We are delighted with the win” but he then asserted that he was looking to continue bringing in new players in an effort to establish the long term future of the club.

Beckenham Town entertain Hythe Town in the Kent League next Saturday and Thamesmead visit the following Tuesday in The Kent Premier Cup.

Beckenham Town: Brooks, Sinclair, Rose, Barrett, Hughes. Harris, Smith, Carew, Hart, Cable, Awuha. Subs:Hawkes, Curran, Glover, Lawson

Rusthall 0-0 Sheerness East
British Energy Kent County League Premier Division
Richard Smith reports from Jockey Farm

Despite the scoreline this was far from a boring game and the point was enough to send Sheerness to the top of the table.

Rusthall, now unbeaten in 6 games, although drawing four of them, should gave gone ahead after two minutes but Martin Millins saw his superb shot tipped over by the visiting keeper.

With both sets of defenders looking solid and well organised chances were at a premium and big parts of the game were played in the middle of the park as both sides battle to gain the upper hand.

As half time approached the home side were dealt a big blow when influential midfielder Ian Balmer picked up an injury and was replaced by John Penny at half time.

On 59 minutes Rusthall had Phil Hawkins to thank for keeping the scores level, he came out to save at the feet of an onrushing forward who was through on goal.

On 65 minutes John Penny played a superb one two with Nick Smith and saw his shot from just outside the box go just over. Rusthall suffered another injury blow when Martin millins picked up a knee injury and was replaced by Stuart Gray.

Sheerness nearly picked up all three points in the 89th minute when a dipping free kick from fully 35 yards flew just over Hawkins's cross bar much to the relief of the home supporters.

All in all Rusthall must be fairly happy with their start to the season with just 1 defeat, back on the opening day of the season, but they really do need to find a proven goal scorer.

Next up for them is a visit to struggling Crockenhill and they will be hoping that the injuries to Balmer and Millins are not as serious as they look, although they will definately be without defender Alan Chapman who picked up an injury in last weeks win over Bromley Green and looks likely to be out for another 2 or 3 weeks.

Meanwhile, Rusthall are urgently looking for someone with a knowledge of first aid to act as a sponge man/woman on Saturday afternoons.

Someone with experience would be good but the club would be prepared to help with the cost of training etc.

In the first instance please contact Richard Smith the clubs commercial manager on 01892 685305 or e-mail at Richard.smith@rusthallfc.com

Please mention www.kentishfootball.co.uk when contacting the west Kent club.

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