City given tough Vase draw

Southern Counties East

Canterbury City moved into the second round of the FA Vase with a 3-1 win over Hellenic League Lydney Town at Ashford on Saturday.

Rob Lawrence, Dave Pilcher and Matt Martin ensured their progress, and they now travel to Southern Combination Premier Division side Chichester City next month.

Monday’s draw paired the two sides together for the second time in the competition, City losing 1-0 there in a Second Qualifying Round tie in 1994-95.

Lawrence put City ahead after only three minutes, before Pilcher doubled the lead just after the half hour.

Lydney pulled one back eight minutes into the second half through Declan Morley-lyne, before Martin netted the third with five minutes left.

Boss Ben Smith said: “I was really pleased, we played well, although it was disappointing to let them back in the game, just at the time were looking to stay motivated, because it had been pretty easy to be honest.

He added: “They scored out of nothing, and made things a bit more difficult than they should have been. It’s a tough draw, Chichester knocked Whitstable and Sheppey out of the FA Cup earlier this season, but I am told they play the same way as Scott Porter’s side do, which should suit us.”

City this week saw forward Jordan Casey join Faversham and were due to host Erith Town in the Macron SCEL Challenge Cup last night (Wednesday). Smith hopes himself to sign a new striker in time for the Premier Division visit of Beckenham on Saturday.

Kane Rowland scored twice as Whitstable recorded their biggest win of the season with a 5-1 success over Erith Town at Crayford.

Ashley Brown got the first after 21 minutes, before Rowland struck twice in five minutes to send the the Oystermen 3-0 up at the break.

Substitute Marcus Adu-nyanko pulled one back with 18 minutes left, before Harry Brown and Darren Marsden added two more inside the last 10 minutes.