Battling Town go close in fightback

Southern counties east

A battling second-half fightback proved too little too late as Whitstable Town slipped to a 4-3 home defeat by Sheppey United on Saturday.

The Islanders, 1-0 winners when the two teams met in August, completed a league double, but Town pushed them all the way, having looked out of it when they were 3-0 down at half-time.

Newman Poku and Scott Punton returned to the side, following the double departure of Kane Rowland to Margate, and Dane Luchford to Cray Wanderers.

Three goals in the space of 19 minutes, two by Lee Friend and one from Remmell Davis, put Town firmly on the back foot at the break, but the second half proved exciting and eventful for the near 190 crowd, with all three Whitstable goals scored by defenders.

Centre-half Ashley Brown pulled one back seven minutes after the break, popping up at the far post to score following a corner, and Whitstable got a second 13 minutes later.

Town keeper Dan Eason had earlier denied Friend, before Craig Thompson and Darren Marsden set up another defender – right-back Connor Hood – to fire home first time following a pacy run down the flank.

Whitstable looked in the mood now, only for Sheppey to hit back with their fourth 19 minutes from time.

A break down the right saw Friend gain possession on the edge of the area, before setting up unmarked Davis to fire past Eason.

Whitstable went close twice, Harry Brown seeing his effort tipped onto the bar by Sheppey keeper Dean Warford, and substitute Harris Rodgers head a free-kick inches over the bar.

The hosts grabbed their third with seven minutes left. With the ball pinging around the Sheppey box, three efforts were cleared off the line before centre-half Rob Gilman fired home, beating four United players and grounded keeper Dean Warford inside the six-yard area.

A waterlogged pitch washed out Canterbury City’s FA Vase trip to Chichester, with the second round tie due to go ahead last night (Wednesday).

The winners were drawn away to another Sussex club, Newhaven, in Monday’s third round pairings.

City host fifth-placed Sevenoaks Town in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division at Homelands on Saturday.