Whitstable put up a performance to be proud off as they have lost to a team second in the League but if you were a neutral you would have thought Whitstable were the team second.

This was a smash and grab raid by Dorking although in football parlance performances don’t always get you the points and maybe that has been Whitstable’s troubles this year as they seem to be heading for Relegation to the Southern Counties East League next season unless intervention.

The first 15 minutes of the game were scrappy with both sides having shots that did not test the keepers, then in the 19^th minute Tom Tolfrey turned quickly 25 yards out moved forward & from 20 yards saw his shot go over the bar.

Eight minutes later Whitstable nearly took the lead when Sam Bewick’s long throw into the area saw Jake Hill deflect the ball towards the goal but luckily for Dorking it went just inches past the post.

In the 42^nd minute Dorking took the lead when Matt Briggs running down the right flank saw his low cross into the area met by Albert Brayley who stabbed home from 6 yards, it nearly became two in the last minute of the half when a corner to the back post was headed back into the 6 yard area by Hill for Jerome Beckles but from 2 yards out headed wide.

The second half saw Whitstable come out with renewed vigour & totally dominate the game, Dorking seemed to rely on breakaways.  The first 20 minutes of the half saw Whitstable have a lot of possession but not create anything, but from the 70^th minute chances came.

In the 70^th minute a free kick into the area was headed on for Craig Thompson whose overhead kick from 8 yards forced Gary Ross to save at the second attempt, the next minute Stuart King on the left cut in & laid the ball into the path of Jason Fragene & his shot from 20 yards went just over the bar.

In the 74^th minute Callum Wraight won a tackle with Luis Morrison & the ball fell at Fragene’s feet & he went into the area cut inside & his shot from 15 yards went wide.

Another great chance came three minutes later when a corner to the back post was retrieved by Grant McLlheron who passed to Michael Yianni & his shot from 20 yards whistled past the post.

In the 87^th minute Yianni’s cross into the area caused confusion & a scramble occurred & the ball would not go into the net probably defining Whitstable’s season.

Dorking’s one chance of the half came on 90 minutes when a free kick into the area was headed by Dean Gunner just wide of the post.

The last chance of the game came in the 4^th minute off added on time when a ball into the area was half cleared to Bewick but his shot from 30 yards sailed over the bar.

The final whistle went & it was frustration for the home supporters who had seen their team dominate the game especially in the second half but come away with nothing.

 

WHITSTABLE TOWN:

1. EASON 2. S.PUNTON  3. C.WRAIGHT  4. G.McLLHERON  5. J.KENNETT  6. A.BLANCHARD (56)  7. M.YIANNI 8. S.BEWICK 9. S.KING  10. C.THOMPSON  11. C.SMITH (81)

SUBS USED:  16. J.FRAGENE (56)  12. H.RODGERS (81)

SUBS NOT USED:  14. R.CRIMMEN  15. O.BROWN  21. H.BROOKS

BOOKINGS:  NONE

 

DORKING WANDERERS:

1. ROSS 2. J.HILL (66)  3. D.GUNNER  4. B.DYETT  5. J.BECKLES  6. T.OAKS  7. J.BEECROFT  8. M.BRIGGS 9. A.BRAYLEY (69) 10. T.TOLFREY  11. K.TERRY

SUBS USED:  14. L.MORRISON (66)  17. H.SHIPTON (69)  15. C.BOULTER (90+1)

SUBS NOT USED:  12. L.HACKETT  16. S.HUK

BOOKINGS:  14. L.MORRISON (76)

 

REFEREE: Mr R.WHITTAKER

ASSISTANTS:  Mr S PERRY & Mr D.PROCTOR

ATTENDANCE: 145