Thanet United kindly stepped in at short notice for this game after the original opponents Hawkinge Town pulled out at the weekend. They will be competing in the Kent County League Division One again when the season starts and also played Whitstable in the first pre-season game last season, when a Marcus Elliott double ensured Whitstable returned from Hartsdown Park with a 2-0 win.

Whitstable created plenty of chances, but were unable to find a way through until the 40th minute when Jay Hards set up Liam King to score. There should really have been some goals before that, but a combination of wayward shooting and good goalkeeping kept the game goalless. Aaron Millbank struck the bar in the 2nd minute following a quick throw in, Liam Gillies went close on several occasions and there were other good opportunities for Millbank, King, Hards and TJ Jadama, as the home team played some good football without the end product.

There were numerous changes throughout the second half on another warm evening and Whitstable used nine substitutes, with only Gillies and James Brown playing 90 minutes. King had a couple of early attempts before Tom Bryant thumped a back post header into the net from a King corner to double the lead in the 48th minute. Dan Eason, who had seen little action, was replaced by Lewis Mitchell early in the second half. Academy player Muhammed Cham had only been on the pitch for a short time when he went past a couple of defenders in the box and slid the ball into the net for a well-taken third on 58 minutes. It was largely one way traffic at this stage as Whitstable went on to record almost forty goal attempts. Charles Etumnu had already gone close before he found the corner of the net in the 76th minute to score the fourth and final goal of the evening. There was still time for one effort to land on the roof of the flats behind the goal, a Gillies chip to be cleared off the line and just before the final whistle, Etumnu almost created another for himself, only to see his shot hit the bar.

It was a useful workout for the team, who now have a week to prepare for the next game away to Deal Town.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason (Lewis Mitchell 50), Trialist (Callum Edwards 46), James Brown, Leo Mazzone (Charles Etumnu 46), Connor Sanders (Montrell Deslandes 60), Tom Bryant (c) (Luke Girt 60), Tijan Jadama (Glen Bain 60), Liam Gillies, Aaron Millbank (Dean James 60), Liam King (Muhammed Cham 56), Jay Hards (Victor Aiyelabola 56).
Goals: Liam King 40, Tom Bryant 48, Muhammed Cham 58, Charles Etumnu 76.

Thanet United
No team sheet available

Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Jack Packman
Assistants: Ryan Chantrill-Smith & Pawel Prokopowicz