The Oystermen return to league action on Saturday afternoon as Cray Valley PM make the journey to the YMS Stadium.

After a busy run of cup fixtures, Lee Martin's side return to the Isthmian League South East Division looking to get back to winning ways in front of the home supporters.

The visitors arrive in Whitstable having also returned to Step 4 this season, setting up another intriguing meeting between two sides with plenty of previous history.

Whitstable's league campaign has been interrupted by a number of cup fixtures in recent weeks, with Saturday's game against Cray Valley marking our first league fixture since the Bank Holiday meeting with Margate at the YMS Stadium.

The Oystermen have already enjoyed home success in the league this season, defeating Deal Town 3-1 at the YMS Stadium, and will be looking to make home advantage count once again.

With the league campaign now entering another important period, Saturday provides another opportunity to put points on the board and continue building on our return to Step 4.

Cray Valley PM, known as The Millers, make the journey from Eltham for Saturday's fixture.

The club will be looking to establish themselves back in Step 4 after being relegated from the Isthmian Premier Division last season.

Kevin Lisbie took over as manager in February 2026, arriving with the club already in a difficult position as they battled against relegation from the Isthmian Premier Division.

The Millers ultimately dropped back to Step 4 and now begin life in the Isthmian League South East Division, with Lisbie continuing in charge as they look to rebuild and establish themselves at this level.

Cray Valley have plenty of experience at Step 4 and will provide another competitive test for the Oystermen.

There is plenty of history between the two clubs, with Saturday marking another chapter in a fixture that has produced some memorable encounters over the years.

One of the most interesting chapters came during the 2017/18 season, when Scott Porter's Whitstable side enjoyed one of the most successful campaigns in the club's recent history.

The Oystermen went on to win two cups and secure promotion from the SCEFL Premier Division, but Cray Valley were responsible for two of the very few defeats suffered during that campaign.

Whitstable lost 2-1 at home to the Millers in mid-December before embarking on an incredible 27-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

That sequence eventually came to an end in April, when Cray Valley again won 2-1, this time at their own ground.

The 2019/20 season also produced another high-scoring encounter, with Cray Valley recording a 4-3 victory at home.

More recent meetings have continued to produce competitive games, including two victories for Cray Valley during the 2021/22 season.

The overall head-to-head record makes for interesting reading, with the Millers having enjoyed considerable success against the Oystermen over the years.

Saturday's fixture gives supporters another opportunity to enjoy an afternoon at the YMS Stadium as the Oystermen return to league action.

The Scoreboard Shack will be open serving a range of hot food, while the clubhouse and bars will also be open offering a selection of beverages and drinks.

We are also delighted to have Belmont Bites back open following investment and improvements, including new equipment and container units to help improve efficiency.

Supporters are encouraged to arrive early, enjoy the matchday atmosphere, grab something to eat and drink, and get behind the boys.

Concession admission is available for disabled visitors, senior citizens aged 65 and over, and students with a valid NUS card.

Please provide proof of age and/or eligibility when claiming these benefits.

Under-14s will only be admitted when accompanied by a responsible adult.

Season tickets are valid for league fixtures.

Supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets online in advance to make arrival as quick and easy as possible.

Automatic turnstiles are available at both the Car Park entrance and Belmont Road, allowing supporters with online tickets to simply scan the QR code on their phone and head straight into the ground.

Belmont Road entrance:
Online tickets only via the automatic turnstiles.

Car Park automatic entrance – East Side of the Main Stand:
Online tickets only via the automatic turnstiles.

Car Park staffed entrance – West Side of the Main Stand:
Cash and card payments accepted on the day.

Purchasing online before matchday is the quickest way into the YMS Stadium and helps reduce queues at the turnstiles.

Purchase your tickets here.

For those travelling by car, please use CT5 4LN for navigation. This will take you directly to the drive leading to the stadium car park.

Please note: All cars parked in the car park are left at the owner's risk.

First-team manager Lee Martin is looking forward to returning to league action as the Oystermen welcome Cray Valley PM to the YMS Stadium.

"It's good to get back to league football after what has been a busy period of cup games.

"Cray Valley are a side we know have plenty of experience at this level and they have some very good players, so we know we'll have to be at our best.

"There's plenty of history between the two clubs and we've had some really competitive games against them in the past.

"Playing at home gives us an opportunity to put in a strong performance in front of our supporters and hopefully get the result we're looking for.

"We've prepared well and now it's about taking that onto the pitch, competing for every ball and giving everything for the shirt."

After a busy run of cup football, the Oystermen are back on home soil for another important league fixture.

Cray Valley PM provide the opposition, with the Millers arriving at the YMS Stadium looking to get back to winning ways.

The history between these two sides stretches back several years, with Cray Valley having enjoyed some memorable victories over the Oystermen.

Now it's another chapter in the fixture, with three important league points at stake.

Get down to the YMS Stadium and get behind the Oystermen as league football returns to the Belmont.