Tunbridge Wells 1 Lordswood 1 - Farnie: I'm resigned to losing Whitehouse (EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW)

TUNBRIDGE WELLS 1
Alex Rich 81

LORDSWOOD 1
Bob Chiverton 27

Stephen McCartney reports from Culverden Stadium
Kentish Observer League

Tunbridge Wells manager Martin Farnie is resigned to losing his star goalkeeper John Whitehouse after three clubs outside the Kent League have made enquiries.

The former Greenwich Borough and Ashford Town stopper made a string of fine saves during Sunday’s Kent Senior Trophy Final against VCD Athletic.

Although losing 3-1 on penalties, after the entertaining game finished 1-1 after extra time, Whitehouse’s impressive display has given him a chance to return to the bigger stage.

But his side were brought back down to earth tonight as only 51 paying fans watched tonight’s draw with Lordswood at Culverden Stadium, having been watched by 507 fans at Welling United’s Park View Road on Sunday.

Despite a bright start from Tunbridge Wells - making four changes to their starting line up - Whitehouse was beaten after 27 minutes as the Medway side grabbed the lead.

Bob Chiverton latched onto Sean Hetterley’s long ball out of defence and Whitehouse raced out of his goal to try to kick the ball clear when grounded.

But the left-sided midfielder produced a classy finish, floating the ball into the net from 20-yards.

Wells’ best two chances of the first half fell to Dan Nicholl and Joe Fuller.

Nicholl exchanged a one-two with ginger haired striker Dave Hassett but drove his shot agonisingly wide of the foot of the near post.

And on the stroke of half-time Fuller’s driven free kick rebounded back to him off the Lordswood wall and fired a shot wide of the right post.

The home side twice went close early in the second half, with Alex Rich bringing a flying save from Gavin Hopper and Fuller rose to head Matt Nicholl’s free kick wide.

Lordswood should have sealed their victory after 58 minutes when Ray Broad sent Sam Colyer through on goal but drove across Whitehouse and agonisingly past the foot of the far post.

But Rich scored his second goal of the season with nine minutes remaining to earn his side a point.

Substitute Brad Mortimer, 20, played a nice pass to the youngster on the left and his left-footed 20-yard drive went across the goalkeeper, who was rooted to the spot, and nestled inside the far post.

With his side eleventh in the table (or sixth from bottom) Farnie admits this isn’t good enough.

“I think we’re a top six side and we keep letting ourselves down in our league form,” he said.

“I thought it was going to improve after the cup final but tonight some performances were wishy-washy.

“They’ve got to liven themselves up or they’ll be out for next season. I said to them tonight they’re playing for their places for the club for next year.

“We have to start performing better on our bread and butter stuff, which is the league.

“I’m very disappointed tonight after Sunday’s cup final because I thought we’d come out here and give it a right go. I felt we was a wet squid at times.”

Farnie did, however, hand 15-year-old Charlie Sharman his debut, coming off the substitutes bench with just over 20 minutes to play.

Sharman is the first player to make the first team from local side Foresters, and Farnie hopes their tie-up with the local side will produce more players.

“Charlie has done well for the reserves. I’ve seen him play three or four times and he’s done really well,” said Farnie.

“I always intended to give some of the kids a go and tonight was the perfect opportunity.

“I thought he done well, looks like he’s got some pace up front. Yes, his raw and has got a lot to learn but he’s only fifteen.”

He added: “That’s why we’ve brought the youth in. We can give them a chance and breed our own and have a good side down here in a few years time.”

Farnie is hoping his side will be full of local talent - but won’t cast aside players that have to travel.

“There’s enough talent in the surrounding areas to have a good local side here. And I mean a side that can compete and win stuff,” he insisted.

“But that’s no disrespect to the people that travel. I think they’ve done a great job for the club.

“There is room for people that travel but I’m not saying we’re going to get rid of all of them. We need to get the club some youth team players and hopefully their good enough to come through.”

Although he didn’t name the three clubs that are interested to sign Whitehouse next season, Farnie expects he’ll be playing his last two games for the club next week.

Farnie takes his side to Deal Town on Easter Monday before they end the season with a home game against Whitstable Town on 22^nd April.

“I’ve had three clubs speak to me this week about John,” Farnie revealed. “On Sunday you saw a great performance by a top goalkeeper and it doesn’t surprise me.

“I’m resigned to losing John during the summer to be honest and if that happens it happens, if it doesn’t, our benefit.

“I want him to stay but if he goes, he goes and I wish him all the best.

“But I don’t want him to leave. I want him to stay and be our goalkeeper for next year but he’s got ambitions to play at a high level - good for him.”

Speaking about Whitehouse, whose kept ten clean sheets this season, Farnie added: “If someone comes in from a higher level and offers him the number one goalkeeper’s jersey at a Ryman League or Southern League club John will take it because he wants to play better football and there’s nothing I can do to stop him doing that.

“I’ve spoken to him today, we’ve had a good chat, we’ve been honest with each other but there’s no way I can twist his arm to stay if a higher league club comes in for him.”

Lordswood manager Paul Piggott meanwhile, will be pleased if his side finishes the season in the top eight.

Currently seventh in the table, the Medway side finish their season with a home game against Thamesmead Town on Saturday followed by a trip to Slade Green on the last day of the season.

But Herne Bay should finish in seventh place as they have two games in hand.

“We’ve got to be pleased with our league position at the moment,” he said. “We knew last year we took a backwards step bringing a lot of youngsters into the club and it’s paying dividends for us this year.

“We know Herne Bay can go back above us so it will be tough for us to get seventh.

“It’s good we’ve still got goals and still got aims at this stage of the season.”

Looking ahead to next season, the former goalkeeper added: “Well first and foremost we’ll have to see what players are going to stay. They will be welcomed back, more than welcomed back, and if we can add one or two to the squad than all the better.”

Tunbridge Wells: John Whitehouse, Jason Bourne, Dan Nicholl (Charlie Sharman 67), Adrian Hatcher, Mick McKeown, Aaron O’Leary, Abdul El-Ferdi (Sam Phillips 67), Alex Rich, Dave Hassett (Brad Mortimer 60), Joe Fuller, Matt Nicholl.
Subs: Ben Hilden, Shane Hickmott.

Lordswood: Gavin Hopper, Sean Hetterley, Ashley Russell, Sam Colyer, Lyndon Guscott, Andy Skinner, Bob Chiverton (Chris Pearce 90) Steve Sharp, Andy Doerr, Ray Broad, Nick Smith.
Subs: Adam Overton, Luke Payne, Mike Cunningham, Jay Hayfield.


Attendance: 51
Referee: Daniel Wyatt
Assistants: Malcolm McLean & Mike Kent