Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Pilcher on the spot to set up win
SCEFL round-up
Canterbury City maintained their good run with a fifth win in six games, beating Croydon 3-0 at Homelands. All three goals came in an 11-minute spell soon after half-time, courtesy of Dave Pilcher’s penalty, skipper Lawrence Harvey and Gary Mickelborough. Most of the play in the first 45 minutes was confined to the midfield, although Mickelborough saw his effort saved by Croydon keeper Francis Ameyaw, while Mikey Yomey’s box-to-box break ended with a cross drifting out for a goal kick. Yome’s cross then fell just too far in front of Rob Lawrence, before Pilcher was denied twice by Ameyaw. The keeper was involved in the move that led to City’s opener. Pilcher converted from the spot, after Mickelborough was brought down, attempting to pounce on a loose ball spilled by Ameyaw. Harvey doubled the lead three minutes later, producing a perfect header from Pilcher’s corner and Mickelborough added the third, showing strength and determination before blasting home.
Whitstable recorded their first draw of the season as they were forced to come from behind at home to lowly Tunbridge Wells. The hosts showed plenty of promise in the first few minutes as they looked to continue their eight-game winning run in Southern Counties East League Premier Division but it was shortlived. Despite the blustery conditions, the ball spent most of the time in the air and the numerous set-pieces were not good enough to cause problems leaving both keepers untroubled in the opening half. The game improved slightly after the break and the deadlock was broken on 57 minutes when the visitors were awarded a soft penalty, scored by Jamie Lawrence. It was the first goal Town had conceded since the trip to Rochester on December 17 – seven games previously. Aaron Quain missed a glorious chance, shooting just wide of the far post after a missed header left him clean through but Charlie Smith finished a good move to equalise on 85 minutes. Whitstable then started to knock the ball around with increased confidence and urgency but could not find a winner.