Thamesmead Town 3-0 Whitstable Town

THAMESMEAD TOWN 3-0 WHITSTABLE TOWN
Kent League Cup Final
Saturday 5^th May 2007
Stephen McCartney reports from Buzzlines Stadium

Thamesmead Town clinched the Kent League Cup for the second time in three years with a deserved win over treble chasers Whitstable Town.

Played on a dusty pitch at Folkestone Invicta’s Buzzlines Stadium, three goals from inside the six-yard box from James Brown, Rikki Cable and Curtis Williams spoilt Whitstable’s day.

But Marc Seager’s men waved goodbye to the Kent League as they prepare for their first ever Ryman League campaign in 105 days time, having won the Kent League title for the very first time in the club’s history and the Kent Senior Trophy in Seager’s first full season as manager.

Seager admitted afterwards that he was “very disappointed” with his jaded side, especially as they created just one chance all afternoon.

Thamesmead were already 3-0 up at the time when Alex Hossick’s 75^th minute right-footed drive was deflected onto the foot of the right post and towards safety.

Sadly this game failed to live up to any expectations and both sides only created half-chances, which didn’t trouble either goalkeeper during a dour opening half-an-hour.

But the game sprung into life in the 32^nd minute when Thamesmead broke the deadlock.

Substitute Lee Loveridge, who had replaced injured skipper Dean Kearley, caused havoc inside the Whitstable penalty area following a free-kick from Scot Mulholland.

And former Slade Green midfielder Mulholland had a second bite of the cherry when his far-post cross was met by a towering header from Brown from six-yards, which bounced past the diving Kevin Fewell to find the bottom right hand corner.

The goal from the central midfielder stunned the vocal Oysterboys, who had occupied the “Grandad” stand.

Sam Thomas, who had turned down a move to Ryman Premier League side Ramsgate earlier in the season, should have doubled Thamesmead’s lead five minutes later.

The left-winger sprinted past three Whitstable players to get into the penalty area but he scuffed his left-footed angled shot, which rolled into Fewell’s grateful arms.

But Mead were celebrating again when leading scorer Cable scored with four first half minutes remaining.

Fewell advanced off his line to prevent Williams scoring and Barry Stewart picked up the loose ball and his cross from the left was stabbed into the bottom right hand corner by Cable from three yards.

Hossick’s right-footed drive from thirty-yards flashed past the right upright on the stroke of half-time as Mead goalkeeper Steve Northwood enjoyed one of his quieter games.

Whitstable skipper Marcos Perona blazed over Northwood’s bar from the edge of the D before Thamesmead should have wrapped up their comfortable win after 53 minutes.

Cable nipped in front of Fewell following Thomas’ cross from the left but the former Faversham Town striker rifled his shot high into the side netting from an acute angle.

Whitstable front man Steve Marshall flicked the ball on for Sam Prett but his strike partner couldn’t steer the ball past Northwood whilst stretching.

But good trademark football from Thamesmead wrapped up their impressive win with eighteen minutes remaining.

Mulholland played the ball to Stewart on the overlap, and Stewart’s cross wasn’t dealt with by Fewell and Williams was there to nod into an empty net from just two-yards out.

But Fewell made amends four minutes later when he pulled off the save of the match.

Another cross from Mulholland was met by a scissor kick volley from Williams but an acrobatic save from the former Chatham Town and Sittingbourne goalkeeper prevented a rout.

Before Dover Athletic fans start jamming up forums, Danny Chapman is another of Thamesmead’s home grown players, and not the one that played for the Ryman League Division One South club this season.