More on KentOnline
Home Whitstable Sport Article
Whitstable boss Scott Porter has had his say on the crowd trouble which marred Saturday’s draw with Hastings.
The U’s are investigating “a very unsavoury incident that allegedly took place between an opponent and a supporter” after the final whistle at the Belmont.
Both sides had a player sent off following a clash in stoppage-time and tempers were still running high after the game.
But Porter said: “It happened so quickly, whatever happened. I spoke to the referee and I didn’t see anything.
“A lot of fans were getting involved but my priority is the 11 people on the pitch.
“I didn’t get involved. I don’t need to get involved. Supporters are supporters and you let them get on with it.
“We had a player sent off, they had a player sent off and that’s all I know.
“It was at the end, Ricky Freeman (getting a red card). Stuart West tackled someone, he got booked and there was a bit of a melee.
“But all game they were getting around the referee. The goalkeeper ran 60 yards at one stage so they knew what they were trying to do.
“They knew how we play, they were trying to get around the referee and I think it backfired.
“As for the aftermath, my only interest is what’s happening on the pitch.”
Hastings have asked the referee to report the alleged incident to the FA, to whom they will also make a submission.
On the pitch, this was a third straight draw for Whitstable, who have now gone eight games without a win.
Porter said: “It was always going to be a tough test because of where they are in the league and where we are.
“We want to get back to being a hard team to beat, which we have done at Sevenoaks and Greenwich. We’ve stopped conceding poor goals and to be fair they had one shot on target, which came from our mistake.
“In the first half we had a look at them and second half we put them on the back foot, squeezed them very high and could have won it.
“We’re not going to score loads of goals at this standard but we know we can frustrate teams and nick one.
“It’s just about getting back to basics, working hard for each other and showing people we do care.
“We want to get back to winning ways and we are fighting for each other.”