ASHFORD UNITED 2 WHITSTABLE TOWN 1
Pre-season friendly
Tuesday July 8 2025 19.45

Whitstable travelled to play Isthmian League Ashford United in their third pre-season game, having won their first two. A similar squad was used, giving a number of younger players more opportunities to impress against their experienced hosts. Just before the end of an even first half, Whitstable took the lead from Javaun Splatt’s header following a corner kick, but Jacob Strouts replied for Ashford from a corner of their own straight after half time. Another goal shortly afterwards by Bruno Tavares put the “Nuts and Bolts” ahead, but Whitstable had a good chance to level things up when they won a penalty, only for Jake McIntyre to put his spot kick just wide. Whitstable lost both Bradley Schafer and Will Thomas to injuries before half time and will hope they are soon back to full fitness, with Mikey Dalton, Dean Grant and Connor Wilkins all currently out of action. They can however be encouraged by the overall performance and also with the contributions that the younger players are making during these pre-season games.

There were a few half chances created at both ends before Whitstable suffered an early injury blow when influential midfielder Schafer had to limp off and be replaced by Reece Gillies in the 18th minute. A quick Whitstable break saw Joe Healy send Splatt away down the left and he drove into the box before hitting the inside of the near post and when the ball ran across goal, an under pressure Healy could only find the side netting from an acute angle at the far post. Whitstable attacked again and Healy found Ashdon Day who shot just wide. Jayden Boulton then got forward and played a one-two with Healy, but his shot lacked the power to beat goalkeeper Harley Earle.
There was an opportunity for Ashford in the 38th minute when Gary Lockyer had a shot blocked and put the rebound wide when the ball returned to him in a promising position. Another attempt from the home side flew just over the bar before Whitstable took the lead in the 44th minute. A Fin Cotton corner was flicked on by a defender at near post and with the goalkeeper still out of position Splatt headed the ball towards goal and a defender on the line was unable to prevent it finding the net. Before play restarted, Will Thomas had to be replaced by the returning Finn O'Mara as Whitstable suffered another injury, but they led 1-0 at half time.

The game was turned on its head in the first four minutes of the second half and Whitstable would not have been happy with their defending as they conceded two soft goals. Strouts was given a free header at the near post to head a corner past Dan Colmer, then a good run forward by Strouts gave him the chance to slip the ball through a somewhat exposed defence and Tavares shot past Colmer into the far corner. Whitstable tried to respond and Callum Peck got himself into a threatening position, but his low shot was saved. A number of substitutions were made by both managers before the hard working Cotton won the ball and was brought down in the box to earn a penalty. McIntyre stepped up but placed his low shot just wide of the right post. Once again Whitstable finished the game with a very young team on the pitch and they showed plenty of promise in their search for an equaliser. At the other end Zach Keeble did well to tip a shot over the bar and the game finished 2-1.

Whitstable are back in action on Friday evening, when they play their first home pre-season fixture against a Gillingham XI.

Ashford United
Harley Earle, Will Moses, Joe Ellul, Barry Fuller, Michael West, Louis Collins, Harrison Hume, Joey Taylor, Noah Carney, Gary Lockyer, Kaelem Sobhee-Turner.
Subs: Scott Podger-King, Jacob Strouts, Alfie Wincott, Matt Bodkin, Archie McCarthy, Bruno Tavares, Jireh George, Lorenzo Lewis.
Goals: Jacob Strouts 47, Bruno Tavares 49.

Whitstable Town
Dan Colmer, Ricardo Thompson, Jayden Boulton, Fin Cotton, Will Thomas, Jake McIntyre (c), Callum Peck, Bradley Schafer, Javaun Splatt, Joe Healy, Ashdon Day.
Subs: Reece Gillies, Finn O’Mara, Zach Keeble, Nico Grierson, Jake Abrahams, Harry Baptiste, Luke Mandry, Tagan Kray, George Byrne, Thiago Ferreira.
Goal: Javaun Splatt 44

Attendance: 240
Referee: Kieran Cox
Assistants: Chris Cannon & Luke Morley