When the fixtures came out for the SCEFL (Southern Counties East Football League) Tunbridge Wells vs Whitstable Town was high on my list to take in. Having interviewed the new management team at the Belmont of Rich Styles and Dan Morrin over the summer and also new Wells boss Luke Carpenter I wasn’t quite expecting it to the first home game at the Culverden Stadium, however.
With the Belmont almost ready after the installation of a 3G pitch this was the third away game in a row for Town whilst Wells as mentioned were on home turf after two road trips, the destination for myself and Gaz.
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Not only were the management team well known to the home supporters so were some of those in yellow and for most a first look at Carpenter’s new squad on a hot blazing afternoon, no different to most football stadiums up and down the country.
There is no doubt the game suffered from the heat, but also being we’re only three games into the season and a lot of changes for both clubs, there was a struggle to get any momentum going at either end. Chances were at a premium although Wells striker Trevor McCreadie will be disappointed to have fired the ball over the bar when well placed.
The closest Town came to a goal was striking a post before the half hour mark, Wells then responded by hitting the bar, Jacob Feasey the unlucky striker this time around as the sides went in goalless at half time.
However, it didn’t take long for Whitstable to take the lead, seven minutes into the half Josh Oliver with a great strike past Billy Johnson for the game’s opening goal, minutes after Town had struck the bar.
The game turned not long after as Wells Jack Walder was sent off for two yellow cards after a clumsy challenge as proceedings certainly became a little spicy with a few robust challenges going on despite the heat.
From then on, Wells had to work harder going up the hill whilst Town could sit and wait and break at will. As it was the clinching goal didn’t arrive until five minutes from time, Wells once again striking the crossbar, the ball falling kindly for Town to break and Kyron Lightfoot finished comfortably, small margins from what could have been 1-1 to 0-2.
Wells tried to fashion another chance or two in the final few minutes but to no avail and Town left for the coast with two league wins from two and Wells with two defeats from two.
The sending off certainly gave Town an easier passage than it might have been but I doubt neither manager is getting too carried away with results so far, plenty more games to go and get something in.
A very decent crowd of 279 watching despite the very hot conditions, Wells of course are very well supported and hopefully for them a few good results coming their way. Town are looking to bounce straight back to the Isthmian League and will be happy with a maximum return so far, good to see Dan briefly before and Luke as well.
There were one or two players who stood out, for the Wells Jack Palmby looks a very tidy player with quick feet and everything creative went through him while Matt Astle if he can get his delivery right then McCreadie will get the goals you would expect.
Will Thomas kept McCreadie to half chances all afternoon, whilst full back Tom Mills was a fantastic outlet pushing forward down the left hand side. Mention must go to the seven or so Whitstable supporters who stood near us in the first half, full of singing throughout the game and it’s always great to hear a crowd giving it some at Step 5.
