Holliday off as Bears cave in
Youth football WHITSTABLE BEARSTED
K Sports continued their winning run with a 4-1 victory over Ashford in the Kent Youth League, under-15 East Division. Sports opened the scoring when Matthew Coleman’s cross went in off an Ashford defender. A second goal followed with an excellent cross from Toby Murch met by Alex Selntigia. Sports dominated the second half, Oliver Aston forcing several saves from the Ashford keeper, who also kept out James Robinson’s long-range shot. The excellent Selntigia headed the third from Tom McCarthy’s cross and Matthew Coleman made it four with a late charge into the box after Ashford had pulled a goal back. K Sports: Foreman, Cook, Nisbet, McCarthy, Wood, Robinson, Simmons, Gabriel, Selntigia, Cross, Aston, Murch, Polom, Coleman, Hilder. Yalding & Laddingford lost 8-2 to Maidstone United Rangers in the Maidstone Primary League under-13 Challenge Cup quarterfinals. Hopes of an upset were over by half-time as Yalding – the lowestranked team left in the competition – trailed 3-0. Donn Cameron gave them hope by finishing James Springall’s through ball and a Jonny Bentley corner but Maidstone’s form in front of goal overwhelmed the Division 4 title contenders. Yalding: Makin, Joe Flintan, Mooney, Griffin (Thornton), Fox, Springall, Smith (Hutchins), Cameron, Bentley, Jamie Flintan, Pettican. Michael Holliday was sent off against his old club as Bearsted lost heavily at Whitstable on Saturday.
It was goalless before Holliday saw red for kicking out at Charlie Smith in the 38th minute.
Town quickly made the most of their extra man, scoring twice before half-time.
They had a player sent off themselves in the second half – Craig Thompson shown a second yellow card – but still pulled clear.
Defeat leaves Bears 17th in the Southern Counties East League, Premier Division.
Ashley Brown gave Whitstable the lead on 42 minutes when Rob Gillman met a corner from Connor Hood.
It was 2- 0 two minutes later, Aaron Quain finding Jack Mahoney, who curled a shot into the top corner.
Town were down to 10 men by the time Neil Perkins threatened for Bearsted.
His effort went wide and Bears fell further behind on 68 minutes when Darren Marsden beat several challenges and set up Hood for a first-time finish on 68 minutes.
Whitstable’s fourth, nine minutes later, went in off Bears keeper Ben Donnelly after spilling Quain’s corner.
The fifth goal came two minutes from time, Hood’s freekick headed in by Brown.
Bearsted host Deal at Honey Lane tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm). Bearsted: Donnelly, Hughes, Lawrence (Carcary 64mins), Hart (Perkins 16mins), Lyall, Andrews, Collins, Holliday, Irvine, Flisher, Hayes (Sage 46mins). Subs not used: Grant. Attendance: 133.
K Sports return to action after a weekend off with a home game against Holmesdale tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).
Kris Browning’s side are fifth in Division 1, with the visitors ninth.