With the new league campaign just one week away, Whitstable entertained Redhill in their final pre-season friendly and ran out 3-2 winners after a good, competitive game, in which they took an early lead before conceding two quick goals, but then fought back to regain the advantage on the stroke of half time. More chances followed in the second half, although neither team were able to add to their score.

The Lobsters enjoyed a good 2024-25 season in the Combined Counties Premier Division South, just missing out on the two promotion places that ultimately went to AFC Whyteleafe and Jersey Bulls, who were coincidentally both beaten by Whitstable during their successful FA Vase run. The two teams did meet at Redhill last summer in another friendly that ended in a 1-1 draw. Whitstable manager Jamie Coyle named the same starting eleven that kicked off in the 2-1 win against Margate on Tuesday, so it was another chance for some of the younger squad members to impress. The visitors are rebuilding under new management, with the same aim of promotion to Step 4 this time around. There was a smaller crowd of 244 in attendance for this game, perhaps a consequence of the heavy thundery rain from earlier in the day.

Redhill almost immediately suffered an unfortunate injury to one of their defenders who had to be replaced in the 4th minute. All of the goals in this game were scored in the first half and it was Whitstable that struck first in the 10th minute. Javaun Splatt made a good run before passing the ball out to the right for Fin Cotton whose cross was headed in by Bradley Schafer from beyond the far post. The lead did not last long as Redhill equalised in the 14th minute with a simple pass over the top that saw Zach Keeble come out, but the Redhill number 11 was first to the ball, knocked it over the advancing keeper and rolled it into the empty net. Whitstable found themselves behind a couple of minutes later when they failed to deal with a clearance by Redhill that reached their number 11 in his own half and he was able to speed down the left wing past the exposed Ricardo Thompson before shooting past Keeble for his second goal. After a break for drinks and another injury delay, Splatt crossed from right to Schafer whose shot was blocked for a corner and from that Thompson headed the ball back into the middle where Ashdon Day rose to nod it towards goal, but it was saved. The scores were levelled up in the 32nd minute when Splatt maintained his record of scoring in every game by curling a free kick into the far corner from 20 yards after Jayden Boulton had been brought down. Whitstable now had some momentum and a free kick near the left corner by Schafer was parried by the goalkeeper and then grabbed after a brief moment of uncertainty in the Redhill defence. The referee handed Redhill an opportunity as half time approached as he awarded them a free kick just outside the box for what appeared a timely challenge by Essa Jadama, but it was blazed over the bar. In the final moments added on before the break, Whitstable scored what proved to be the winner. Splatt took the ball forward before a deflected pass reached Boulton on the left and he passed inside to Day who went past a defender before shooting low across goal into the far corner.

Whitstable emerged for the second half, leading 3-2, with four team changes and soon strung together a sequence of passes to earn a free kick, which was deflected for a corner. James Miles took it and found Joe Healy in the middle who turned and tried a shot that hit the outside of the post. Healy was soon involved again, but lifted the ball over the bar after finding himself in space in the box. Dan Colmer saved a low drive from the edge of the area at the other end, then an unmarked Miles headed a cross over the bar. A Whitstable trialist won the ball and made a run towards the box before being fouled, but McIntyre’s free kick was saved. Healy, who showed some good touches after being introduced after half time, had a shot saved following a corner kick. The home trialist was making a good impression and tried a 25 yard shot that went just over the bar. The majority of the chances were being created by Whitstable and they did put the ball into the net in the 74th minute through Finn O’Mara, but the effort was ruled out for a foul. There was one great opportunity for a Redhill equaliser from a cross that reached their number 14 who was unable to hit the target when well placed. Redhill put another shot wide and there were late attempts for Whitstable by Jake Abrahams and Miles, but the score remained 3-2 when the referee’s whistle brought Whitstable’s pre-season campaign to an end. Five wins from their six games should give the squad some confidence for the months ahead.

The SCEFL Premier Division gets underway on Saturday and Whitstable begin with a home fixture against Punjab United. Both teams reached the playoffs last season before losing in the semi-finals, so it should be an interesting game.

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, James Miles, Joe Healy, Trialist A, Will Thomas, Trialist B, Luke Mandry, Jake Abrahams.
Goals: Bradley Schafer 10, Javaun Splatt 32, Ashdon Day 45+4.
Yellow card: Bradley Schafer 19

Redhill
Line up not available
Goals: Unknown 14, 16.

Attendance: 244
Referee: Nick Monkman
Assistants: Will Campbell-Wroe & Jasper Martin-Arean