Whitstable Town 2 Whyteleafe 3

Whyteleafe ended the season on a bright note, coming back in an entertaining match to take all three points. With both sides in a comfortable mid-table position, there was always a danger that it would be a dull match, but both sides provided good entertainment for the fans.

Early exchanges were even and the game flowed from end to end. 'Leafe's first threatening move came when Daniel Platel put in a dangerous cross to the well placed Callum MacLean who was just unable to get his head to it.

After 17 minutes, Ian Pulman put Dave Cory through but Moses Spencer did well to block the shot and turn it behind for a corner which Liam Quinn headed straight at Rob Tolfrey. Two minutes later Sam Clayton sent MacLean clear, his deflected cross was well caught by Robert French under pressure from Platel.

Three minutes later Adam Broomhead put an excellent ball behind the hosts' defence to send MacLean clear, but French was quickly out to avert the danger. Tolfrey made a great save in the 39th minute to deny Cory. MacLean got into a running battle with Jake Gess and Gary Sayer that needed the referee's intervention, but whilst this diversion was carrying on, Smith took advantage of the lack of attention of the defence and, spotting French off his line, hit a wonderful chip from the edge of the box to give the visitors the lead.

In the 44th minute a dangerous cross from Chris O'Flaherty was turned behind for a corner. This found Clayton who laid the ball back to John Cartledge whose shot was deflected for another corner. This time the corner was met by O'Flaherty who headed over.

Whitstable came out the stronger side in the second half and were rewarded rather controversially with a 56th minute penalty. First of all the referee waved play on and Tolfrey made a fine save. He then went to the linesman and decided to award a penalty, despite the challenge that was deemed to be a foul taking place outside the box. Pulman took the spot kick well, leaving Tolfrey no chance.

Two minutes later Marcus Perona's deflected shot was well saved by Tolfrey. Gess played an excellent lobbed pass over the 'Leafe defence in the 68th minute to Pulman who hit the ball well on the volley with the ball dropping over his shoulder, but his effort went just wide. With Whitstable slowly taking control of the game, Whyteleafe made some changes. The hard working Platel had battled on his own up front, and was replaced along with Broomhead, for Joel Greaves and Sean Rivers to give 'Leafe two strikers, however before either of them had a touch, Gess headed the hosts into a 2-1 lead.

Clayton sent a through ball for Greaves in the 73rd minute. He beat keeper French to it but couldn't keep the ball in and it went safe. A minute later a mistake by Moses Spencer set up an easy chance for Cory but he shot wide with just Tolfrey to beat. Then later another long clearance sent Greaves clear, he beat the defender but French saved his shot.

Greaves was sent clear again and as French came rushing out Greaves lobbed him, but his effort was just off target. 'Leafe continued to pile on the pressure as they looked for an equaliser and were rewarded in the 86th minute when Greaves sent Rivers clear and he slotted the ball under the advancing French into the corner of the net.

With their tails now up, 'Leafe continued to attack and Clayton fired just over the bar in the 88th minute. But then, a minute from normal time they scored the winner when Clayton ran down the right wing and put over a precision cross that saw Rivers head home with glee into the net. This sparked off a tussle between Lloyd and Smith, both men being cautioned. Whyteleafe had to hold on for six minutes of stoppage time as Whitstable forced a series of corners, but held on for the three points.