We did not start this game well at all. We panicked from the kick off and sat back allowing Whitstable to come on to us. Within the first minute we made our first major error. A defender strayed into our own goalkeeping area and the penalty was awarded. This was duly dispatched with Jan going the wrong way.
Within 2 minutes we were two nil down. Another defensive error gifted Whitstable the ball high up the pitch and they scored from a low drive that went in off the post.
We did start to have more of the ball but we were still all over the place. We had not shape, communication was poor and we were not looking to help each other. We played like this for a further 5 minutes but we struggled to get out of our half with the ball and possession being given away easily. Whitstable's third goal came from another error. The ball was called for and the pass sent but the player that had originally found space had turned his back on the ball, the pass was intercepted and the shot that followed gave Jan no chance.
We had played less than 10 minutes and were 3 Nil down and hardly put a foot in the opposition half. At this point, however, we decided that we wanted to play and, more importantly, could play football.
We settled down and began playing some good intricate passing. We showed for each other and the communication and calling started. We had spells of concerted possession and started to pull Whitstable around. Suddenly they were chasing the ball and transgressing to catch it. They were soon on 3 running offences and we were getting free kicks in good attacking areas. We were still playing too narrow and missing out on using the entire pitch and that was where Whitstable were managing to play out and push us back.
The game was being played out in the middle third with both sides looking for the occasional ball through to the forwards. Steve E had a couple of shots that flew just wide and Andy C also came close. Den and Peter now looked more comfortable at the back and we were confident on the ball, playing a strong passing game. With half time approaching and Whitstable on the attack, their midfielder ran, as he often had previously, that was spotted by the referee and the penalty was awarded. Mike calmly stroked the spot kick into the corner and we were on the score sheet.
Half time came and after some stern words about the first 10 minutes, we agreed that we were now the stronger team and looked the most likely to score. We realised that the opposition were suffering from some ill discipline which for us, wasn't an issue, so we could possibly exploit this.
The second half started as the first finished. We were on top and despite Whitstable making substitutions we were still benefiting from good periods of possession. Whitstable's defence was, however, holding strong and we were being limited to long range shots. We pressed high and our movement on and off the ball continued to improve. Mike, Steve E and Andy C all worked their keeper and kept their defensive line pinned back.
With legs tiring, a change was made but our formation stayed the same. Steve E was moved back along side Den and Paul C was introduced up front. We were pushing hard for more goals and Whitstable's indiscipline continued with further non walking offences being committed and contact free kicks being given.
Despite our best efforts the free kicks came to nothing but eventually we managed a break through. The ball was played up to Paul C's feet and he laid it off to his left where Mike was waiting to hammer a low shot home.
The last 5 minutes saw us pushing to equalise and Whitstable struggling to hold on. They took the ball into corners and started to run the clock down, much to our frustration. As hard as we tried, time was against us and the final whistle came with us trying everything to score. Jan was a spectator for the majority of the second half with his best save being made following a foul by a Whitstable player. Had there been a few more minutes I firmly believe we would have broken the Whitstable resistance and found an equaliser but it wasn't to be. Final Score Canterbury 2 - 3 Whitstable.
My thanks to the 8 players that, despite the terrible start, gave their all during the remaining 30 minutes.
Additionally, my thanks go out to the supporters that turned out to offer encouragement to the team.
The Player Of The Match was awarded to Den for his control and communication from the back.
Paul
