Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Williams fires Town into top two
Whitstable Town moved up to second in the Southern Counties East League after a 2-0 home win over Hollands & Blair on Saturday.
Town made it five wins in a row in all competitions as their excellent form continued thanks to a Danny Williams double.
The home team took the lead in the 16th minute when Ricky Freeman was fouled in the box and Williams stepped up to make it 1-0.
Five minutes after half-time Williams got his second, slipping the ball past the Hollands goalkeeper, after John Walker played the striker in.
That was enough to move Town up to within two points of Sevenoaks at the top.
Whitstable also made it through to the semi-finals of the Kent Reliance Senior Trophy after a 2-0 win at Erith Town last Wednesday.
The visitors took an early lead when Freeman converted from the spot when he was fouled in the box after 10 minutes.
Second yellow cards for two Erith players either side of half-time reduced the home side to nine men and Freeman had the chance to add his second penalty after the break when Stuart West was fouled but his effort was saved.
Rob Gillman wrapped up the win in the 75th minute after he fired in through a crowded penalty box from a West corner.
Whitstable face Cray Valley PM in the last four on Saturday and then host Deal Town in the quarterfinal of the Southern Counties East Challenge Cup on Tuesday.
Canterbury City made the semi-finals of the Kent Reliance Senior Trophy after a thrilling 7-3 extra-time home win against Sporting Club Thamesmead last Wednesday. The hosts took the lead after 15 minutes when Sam Lawford was able to hit in from the back post after good work from Matt Martin.
Thamesmead got an equaliser after a free-kick from the left glanced off a City head and went in and they quickly added a second when Jamie Williams found space to slot the ball past Jack Delo.
It took Canterbury just two minutes to get back level after Josh Mccallum scored from close range and in a frantic end to the first half, Thamesmead scored another goal to take a 3-2 lead.
Not long after half-time the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Sodiq Badaru was sent-off for a second yellow card.
But Canterbury could not make their man advantage count until the 87th minute when Laurence Harvey headed in to take the teams to extratime. Two goals each for Tom Barton and Matt Martin in the extra 30 minutes killed off their opposition and set up a semi-final tie with Sheppey United at home on Saturday.
Canterbury also earned a point in a close-fought match at AFC Croydon Athletic in the Southern Counties East League on Saturday.
City took a lead in the sixth minute when Dave Pilcher headed in from a cross on the left.
The visitors were then reduced to 10 men after Josh Mccallum received his second yellow card.
Soon after half-time, Croydon levelled when Luis Medina headed past Delo.
The home side were also then reduced to 10 men after Nahum Green was given a straight red for a dangerous challenge.
City’s point leaves them 10th in the table.