Match Report: Whitstable Town 2 Fleet Town 1

Fleet Town’s historic run in the FA Vase came to the end at Whitstable on Saturday.

In front of the highest crowd of the round, the Kent Sun shone from a clear sky on Saturday afternoon as Fleet’s early pressure gave the home defence some scares, without being able to force an early goal. From the first attack in the opening minute, Nick Medcraft was able to win a corner. Taken by Tom Smith he delivered the ball into the six yard box, the home keeper Daniel Colmer, was first to the ball but he could only tip the ball over his own bar for another corner to Fleet Town. This was taken from the other corner by Nick Medcraft, although Fleet got the first touch on the ball, the defence scrambled the ball away for a throw. In an, as expected, tight game Whitstable started to press when they had possession, their first effort being a shot from the D that flew over the bar Whitstable’s next attack came down the right and the cross proved an easy catch for Finley Purcell. Fleet soon had the ball down the other end and won another corner, delivered by Tom Smith the ball reached Dean Rule, but his header flew just wide. Tane Caubo ran down the left into the box, with only the keeper to beat he decided to try and play the ball across to Dean Rule, but the ball was intercepted by a defender and cleared. A few minutes later Whitstable knocked the ball behind for another corner to Fleet, taken by Tom Smith the ball in was knocked behind by a defender for another corner on the other side, this time the defence were able to head the ball away from the danger area. in the final minutes of the first half Whitstable were able to create a couple of clearer openings but they fired the ball inches wide on each occasion. The game reached the break at 0-0 and all to play for in the second half.

The home side were quicker out of the blocks in the second half and was only three minutes old when Jaydon Boulton running downfield towards the right, fired from distance and the ball flew into the far side of the net, to give the home side the lead. Only eight minutes later Whitstable attacked down the right, the cross was only half cleared by Fleet, right into the path of Mikey Dalton, who made no mistake and doubled Whitstable’s lead. Fleet soon brought on Dan Bone to add his presence to the front line. Fleet soon had a free kick in a dangerous position, about twenty five yards out it was taken by Ryan Case but his effort flew wide. After Seventy-Three minutes Fleet won another corner, this time taken by Josh Stepney, after a couple of touches in the box the ball reached Ross Stepney who tucked the ball away into the net to pull a goal back. Spurred on by the goal, Fleet created several chances, Fareed Hakeem-Habeeb run up the right crossed to Dan Bone who knocked the ball to Ross Stepney but this tome his shot rose and went over the bar. Another chance for Fleet followed from a well delivered Josh Stepney corner, the shot from Fleet struck the cross bar and fell back into play to the feet of Chike Kandi, his on target effort was deflected for another corner. On Ninety minutes a break away from the home side was stopped by the challenge just outside of the box by Kai Tanner, who was shown a Red card. The resultant free kick was taken by Ashton Day and found the side netting, which fans in some parts of the ground had found the net. Fleet soon won a free kick at the other end but it was cleared to Ronald Sithole who took the ball down the pitch, with only Finley Purcell standing in his way, he fired the ball wide of the goal. After play had gone past the added minimum of eight minutes indicated by the fourth official, a final moment of drama as Fleet still searched for the equaliser they had the ball in front of the goal, two players had the chance of glory but both mis-kicked as they swung at the ball and the final whistle blew before Fleet could get the ball back and the Vase dream was over, with this 2-1 defeat.