CRAY VALLEY PM 1 WHITSTABLE TOWN 2
Kent Senior Cup First Round
Tuesday 1 October 2019 19.45

Whitstable won their opening Kent Senior Cup fixture at Cray Valley in what was an entertaining game of football played in absolutely awful conditions, with very heavy rain and blustery winds making it very difficult for the players and the few supporters that turned up to watch. Whitstable started really well and the returning Harry Stannard scored an early goal following a defensive mistake by the home team. They might well have scored several more in the first half, but did double their advantage when Aaron Millbank was fouled in the box and scored from the penalty spot. The Millers gradually got themselves into the game and a good finish by Josh James following a corner reduced the deficit to one goal at the break. Whitstable failed to create many chances in the second half, but defended very well as the home team steadily increased the pressure. The final 10 minutes were played almost exclusively in and around the Whitstable penalty area, but they held on for a 2-1 win and a place in the second round draw.

The two teams had already met in a league match at the Belmont a couple of weeks earlier, which ended all square at 1-1 when Whitstable scored a last gasp equaliser in a tight game. Both teams made five changes to their starting elevens, with Cray Valley including Warren Mfula, who had scored against Whitstable for Burgess Hill just ten days earlier. Whitstable rested a couple of players with knocks, whilst Marshall Wratten was not given permission to play in the competition by his parent club Dover and Luke Girt had to start on the bench after being delayed in very heavy traffic. Harry Stannard made his first appearance of the season as he continued his recovery from injury.

John Ufuah won an early corner that was swung in dangerously, forcing experienced goalkeeper Andy Walker to punch clear. Whitstable continued to press forward and took the lead in the 7th minute when a long ball forward by Josh Spencer caused problems for Cem Tumkaya, who failed to find his goalkeeper with a header and Stannard pounced to steer the ball past Walker into the net. Just a minute later, a good cross by Ufuah was met at the near post by Millbank, whose first time shot was well saved by Walker. Stannard then tried a curling shot from the edge of the box that was stopped by Walker before being grabbed at the second attempt. Whitstable continued to make light of the appalling conditions and a good passage of play ended with a threatening cross by John Walker that was just too high. Cray Valley did win two quick corners that came to nothing, before Whitstable went 2-0 up in the 22nd minute. Ufuah and Walker combined on the right and Walker played the ball to Millbank, who went down after a clumsy challenge in the box and the referee awarded a penalty, which Millbank converted well in the pouring rain, finding the bottom right corner.

As the weather conditions continued to deteriorate, Stannard was seen wringing his red shirt out in front of the seated stand that was offering little protection from the driving rain. On 35 minutes, Ufuah did well out on the right before crossing the ball for Stannard, but his shot was just wide. Connor Sanders was cautioned for conceding a free kick, Cray Valley worked the ball into the box and Dan Eason cut out the cross at the near post. Ansah slipped the ball through to Mfula, who was held up by the Whitstable defence before laying the ball back to James and his attempt was blocked. The resulting corner led to a bit of a scramble in the box and when the ball came out to James, he shot through the crowd of players into the far corner to pull a goal back on 38 minutes. Whitstable might have restored their two goal advantage when Millbank was released after the ball was won in midfield. He elected to shoot, but was denied by Walker. The last action of the half saw Ryan Flack put a chance wide from an Ansah cross and the two teams made for the shelter of the changing rooms with Whitstable leading 2-1.

At the start of the second half, Girt replaced Stannard, who had successfully negotiated his first 45 minutes of the season. Mfula headed wide and then Danny Smith struck a 25 yard free kick that was deflected over for a corner on 59 minutes, before Marcus Elliott came on for Millbank. Liam Dickson was then shown a yellow card for a foul as Cray Valley broke dangerously and both teams made further substitutions. The weather improved slightly, as the game went through a quieter period. Whitstable had a brief spell of pressure, which included efforts by Spencer and Girt both being blocked. The home team introduced Denzel Gayle, who began to cause problems with his pace on the right wing and the remaining minutes saw almost constant pressure on the Whitstable goal as the Millers tried to find an equaliser. Sanders made a great interception in the box and Elliott headed the corner clear. James shot over, as the heavy rain returned, then Eason had to make a routine save and also raced out a couple of times to clear dangerous through balls. Gayle and fellow substitute Francis Babalola both had late efforts that lacked the necessary power to really test Eason and Whitstable held on until the final whistle to claim their place in the next round.

It was very much a game of two halves, with Whitstable starting on top and Cray Valley finishing strongly, but there was plenty of action for the rain soaked spectators and the pitch held up remarkably well given the persistent rain that had fallen for much of the day. League action returns at the weekend, as Whitstable entertain Three Bridges at the Belmont.

Cray Valley PM
Andy Walker (c), Paul Semakula, Danny Smith, Ashley Sains, Cem Tumkaya, Ryan Flack (Emiliano Hysi 82), Kweku Ansah (Francis Babalola 71), Kalvin Morath-Gibbs (Denzel Gayle 79), Matthew Warren, Warren Mfula, Josh James.
Subs (unused): Jack Sammoutis, Anthony Edgar.
Goal: Josh James 38

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, John Walker, James Brown, Connor Sanders, Josh Spencer, Liam Dickson (c), Liam Gillies, Harry Stannard (Luke Girt 46), Aaron Millbank (Marcus Elliott 61), Taylor Fisher (Jake Mackenzie 72), John Ufuah.
Subs (unused): Muhammed Cham, Tom Bryant.
Goals: Harry Stannard 7, Aaron Millbank pen 22.
Yellow cards: Connor Sanders 36, Liam Dickson 71.

Attendance: 54
Referee: Richard Joss
Assistants: Wayne Horsfall & Paul Taylor
Fourth Official: Darren Blunden