Saturday was FA Cup weekend. I try and do a game in each round until about the 4th Qualifying Round and then give up! It doesn’t always work but so far it’s keeping pace.
Pete Stone and I have been looking to fit in a trip to Whitstable Town, half for the football and half for the wonderful area it is to take in some local cuisine and a potential overnighter.
It had to fit in with Worthing being away and around my weekend’s with the youngest, and realistically we wanted it when the weather was in reasonable state of mind.
We managed to make it work to fruition, Worthing in Jersey and the Oystermen at home, almost unbelievably to a Sussex side, Chichester City, stars aligning as you will.
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Unfortunately we missed out on really getting into the local food, I absolutely love my seafood, as it turns out Pete’s a big fan as well, but the day itself, here it comes.
Travel was light and we made very good time. I was born and grew up in Kent, any game I watch there is a trip home for me wherever in the county. A very decent sized car park awaits you as you arrive at the ground, our plan to park up early and head into town.
Having only been to Whitstable once before but stayed out of town the best route down to the harbour by foot I didn’t know, so I asked the chap sitting in the car next to us.
What are the odds he was actually from Peacehaven in Sussex, but an ardent Oysterman, just bizarre us being two hours away from home and another Sussex-ite the first person we encounter!
Anyway, perfect directions into the town from where I knew my way to the harbour, and to of course what Whitstable is famous for, oysters! Queues were everywhere, they were being sold from everywhere, what a sight!
We had a decent walk around, settled in a pub and rude not to sample the local delights as you can see below. Wash them down with a pint, a great start to the day. This was a first time oyster try, I can see why people have them by the bucket load, superb delicacy.
A nice stroll back and got ourselves into the ground nice and early. Once inside the charm and the character of a non-league ground at this level is there for all, despite the 3G surface which normally means a huge tidying up effort all around for a generic look.
The clubhouse a good size, the Isuzu FA Vase on display at the far end and of course I couldn’t not take a picture, it’s the closest I am ever going to get to it I’m sure in my lifetime.
I had already seen the Oystermen back in August at Steyning where they faced Lingfield and dispatched them 7-2. This on Saturday was their first home FA Cup tie in four games and facing a side who just missed out on the play-off’s at Step 3 last season.
A couple of showers around kick off time gave way to sunshine for the rest of the afternoon, it had been a morning of ensuring coats were in the car, it’s only September!
Chichester were the ball retainers but Whitstable looked the more likely to cause the problem and they did open the scoring courtesy of an own goal after about 20 minutes.
Despite the two step difference, the visitors really struggled to create any openings at all through the first half, a quiet 45 minutes for Dan Colmer.
The second half was a similar affair, although the Oystermen had two really good chances to extend their lead, Chichester grateful to Kieran Magee for two one on one saves to keep his side in the game.
Whitstable were to rue those missed opportunities, as Lloyd Rowlett fired home a superb equaliser out of nowhere for the visitors, the tie ending level and another trip into Sussex for the home side on Tuesday evening.
A crowd of 702 lower than I expected however I suspect the weather put a lot of people off in the end, Town will still fancy their chances with of course all their cup wins on the road so far.
Chichester surely can’t play as bad in the replay, a lack of urgency across the pitch and lacking up front throughout the day left their bench very frustrated figures all afternoon.
A rather decent day out at the football, one more off the football bucket list, where we off to next…..
