A wonderful goal by Joe Healy just before the final whistle gave Whitstable a 2-1 win over their Isthmian League opponents Margate. Javaun Splatt had given the Oystermen a deserved half time lead, but after changes by both managers for the second half, Margate fought their way back into the game and player manager Ben Greenhalgh powered a free kick into the net to tie things up at 1-1. Chances came and went at both ends before Healy had the final word to ensure Whitstable's good pre-season form continued.

The fifth friendly match of Whitstable’s pre-season campaign saw Margate make the short journey along the north Kent coast. Whitstable started with a very young line up, as they were without several regulars due to injury. 16 year old Zach Keeble took the gloves, with regular goalkeeper Dan Colmer on the bench. Dual registered Dover Academy graduates Essa Jadama and Tristan Holden began in midfield as Whitstable shuffled things around for this game. Margate, who start their league programme two weeks later than Whitstable, brought a good following to help take the attendance to just under 400.

After a bright opening from Margate, Whitstable went on to enjoy the better of the first half as they took the game to their higher league opponents. A long ball forward by Keeble gave Bradley Schafer the opportunity to run into the box and hit a rising shot that was pushed around the near post by Tom Wray at the expense of a corner. A long throw by Schafer was only headed out as far as Splatt who shot wide. There was then a somewhat optimistic penalty shout by Margate as a low cross came into the box, but referee Mr Joss was unimpressed. Following a quieter period, Fin Cotton played a great ball over the top for Schafer, but Wray got there just in time to deny him. The Margate defence went missing again as Jayden Boulton sent the ball down the left for Day who went around Wray as he came out to try to intercept, but the angle was tight and he ballooned his shot over the top. A Whitstable goal looked a real possibility and it duly arrived in the 33rd minute. Boulton curled the ball forward again and, as the Margate defence hesitated, Schafer nipped in to win the ball and set up Splatt who coolly slid it past Wray from 12 yards. Straight from the kick off, Greenhalgh tried his luck from the halfway line and had Keeble scrambling back, but the ball landed on the roof of the net. Whitstable maintained their 1-0 lead until the end of a first half, during which they had created the majority of the chances.

Both teams made four substitutions as the players returned for the second half and the changes certainly appeared to bring a greater threat from Margate. In the 47th minute, Greenhalgh swung over a free kick that was headed in at the back post by Ibrahim Olutade, but the referee had already spotted a foul on Healy off the ball, so the effort was ruled out. Whitstable captain Jake McIntyre spread the ball out to Cotton on the right and his cross picked our Healy at the back post, but he planted his header wide. Margate got themselves back on level terms in the 64th minute when Holden was penalised for a foul 25 yards out and Greenhalgh fired a trademark free kick into the far corner past Colmer who had replaced Keeble for the second half. Callum Peck got himself into a promising position, but was unable to beat Wray who saved comfortably. There was action at both ends in the 69th minute. A good Margate move on right gave Harrison Hatfull the chance to deliver a low cross that was lifted over the bar by George Lamb, then at the other end Healy slipped the ball through to Jadama whose shot across goal struck the post. McIntyre crossed to Healy whose header was caught by Wray., before more substitutes were introduced. The entertaining and competitive encounter looked like ending in a draw until Healy delivered the perfect ending for the home supporters in the 89th minute. Margate tried to head the ball away, only for it to bounce kindly for Healy about 30 yards from goal and he bent a stunning left footed shot into the top corner to give Whitstable their fourth win from their five pre-season games.

Redhill are the visitors on Saturday for what will be Whitstable’s last pre-season game before the SCEFL season kicks off the following week. The Lobsters, who spent most of last season battling with AFC Whyteleafe and Jersey Bulls at the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division South, eventually just missed out on promotion, so like the Oysters will be keen to have another shot at it this time around.

Whitstable Town
Zach Keeble, Finn O’Mara, Jayden Boulton, Essa Jadama, Ricardo Thompson, Jake McIntyre (c), Fin Cotton, Tristan Holden, Javaun Splatt, Bradley Schafer, Ashdon Day.
Subs: Dan Colmer, Callum Peck, James Miles, Joe Healy, Luke Mandry, Thiago Ferreira, Jake Abrahams, Tagan Kray.
Goals: Javaun Splatt 33, Joe Healy 89.

Margate
Tom Wray, Harrison Hatfull, Lewis Knight (c), Emmanuel Oke, Kai Garande, Sam Blackman, Jack Peters, Max Walsh, Kieron Agbebi, Tom Derry, Ben Greenhalgh.
Subs: Harry Hudson, Ben Wells, Ibrahim Olutade, Louie Atkins, George Lamb, Trialist, Finley Saunders, Blake Page.
Goal: Ben Greenhalgh 64

Attendance: 396
Referee: Richard Joss
Assistants: Tom Amber & Mark Roberts