Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Mickelborough strike maintains unbeaten run
SC East League
Although Canterbury City were unable to continue their winning league run, they remain unbeaten in nine SCEFL games following a 1-1 draw at Sheppey United.
The game burst into life on 21 minutes when Sheppey took the lead with a stunning goal from Richard Atkins who fired a volley from 25 yards over keeper Shannon Harris and just under the bar.
City tried to respond just a minute later when a Dave Pilcher free-kick found Gary Mickelborough in the box but his header was straight at keeper Dean Warford.
At the other end, Lee Friend went close for the hosts with a low shot that Harris stood up to and saved well with a flailing leg from close range.
Warford then replied in kind as his leg kept out Matt Martin’s shot from further out but on 26 minutes Sheppey were inches from increasing their lead when a 30-yard strike was tipped onto the bar and over by Harris.
City got back level just after the half-hour when a quick corner caught the Sheppey defence out and although Sam Conlon’s shot from a cross was blocked by the boot of Warford, the ball fell straight to Mickelborough who fired home from the edge of the box.
Warford scrambled to keep out a Laurence Harvey effort and Atkins headed a cross wide while Harris denied Arlie Desanges and made a fine late save to deny Josh Froggatt a certain winner.
A depleted Whitstable beat Corinthian 2-1 in a re-arranged fixture in front of their lowest league crowd of the season – just 91 – at the Belmont on Tuesday night.
Connor Hood put the hosts ahead two minutes before half-time and although Oscar Housego equalised seven minutes into the second half, Frankie Sawyer ensured the points with a fine strike with seven minutes remaining.
The win took Town back up to sixth, with a game in hand on fifth-placed Hollands & Blair.