Whitstable Town’s remarkable FA Cup adventure came to a close with a 5-1 defeat to Wealdstone. The ninth-tier Kent club, the lowest-ranked side remaining in the Emirates FA Cup fourth qualifying round, had already fought through five previous rounds. Despite the scoreline, they left the competition with dignity and belief.
A Delayed Start to a Big Day
“He’s never late.”
He is. At 10:01am, the team bus still hadn’t arrived at Belmont Stadium. Players, officials, and fans waited in the chilly morning air, anxious to hit the road for the biggest match of their season. At 10:20am, relief came in the form of the so-called “posh bus,” and the journey to north-west London finally began.
On board, laughter filled the air. Players battled over a card game, while goalkeeper Daniel Colmer turned £20 into £200 on online blackjack before wisely cashing out. Veteran Joe Healy shared stories from his Millwall days, remembering the time he faced Liverpool in 2004.
Hope and Determination Before Kick-Off
When the team reached the ground, star forward Javaun Splatt — fresh from international duty — joined the starting lineup. In the dressing room, manager Jamie Coyle gathered his players for a passionate talk:
“No one is expecting us to do anything today, except us in these four walls. If we deliver what we’re capable of, we can put a massive upset across this whole country,” says Coyle. “I haven’t said it to anyone outside these walls, but I think we’re going to win today.”
Whitstable set up in a 4-3-3 formation, showing ambition against a side four divisions above them. Dean Grant had teased earlier, “It’s nearly Halloween – they’re in for a fright.”
Early Blow and a Flash of Fightback
The upset dream took a hit almost immediately. In the third minute, Wealdstone’s Sak Hassan broke through the defense and set up Micah Obiero for the opener. By the 38th minute, the scoreboard read 5-0. Still, the away fans kept singing, “We’re gonna win 6-5.”
Just after the break, Grant found the net to make it 5-1, sparking a short burst of belief. Whitstable pushed forward bravely for 10 minutes, unsettling the home crowd, but the comeback never fully materialized.
Pride in Defeat and an Unforgettable Run
As the final whistle blew, Wealdstone supporters applauded the visitors for their effort. Whitstable’s FA Cup run may have ended, but their determination and spirit made their story memorable.
The lowest-ranked team baton now moves to Maldon & Tiptree of the eighth tier. But for Whitstable Town, this campaign will be remembered as a proud chapter in their history.
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