WHITSTABLE TOWN 0 GILLINGHAM XI 0
Pre-season friendly
Tuesday July 28 2026 19.45

Whitstable had to settle for a goalless draw against a young Gillingham team in their last home friendly. They carved out the best of the chances in a tight game, but could not find a way through, hitting the bar and having an effort ruled out for offside. A crowd of over 500 watched a Whitstable team, missing a few regulars but including several trialists, continue their preparations for the fast approaching new season.

The opening minutes were quite even with few clear openings for either team. Whitstable passed the ball around quite promisingly, but long range shots by Henry Young and Derek Asamoah that went over the top were the closest they came to an early goal. At the other end, Zack Whitelock cut in from the left and shot into the side netting. Gillingham had to make two substitutions in the first half, with both Joe Orpwood and Harry Webster picking up injuries. Perri Iandolo's free kick was saved at the near post after a foul on Asamoah and a Kenny Aileru cross from the left was volleyed over by one of the two trialists in the Whitstable starting eleven. The breakthrough nearly arrived in the 36th minute when a long clearance from Dan Colmer was misjudged by a defender and a trialist shot past the Gillingham goalkeeper Benji Spencer, but the ball crashed off the bar and Whitstable were unable to force the rebound home. Tom Derry had a shot blocked just before the break.

A number of changes to both teams were made at the start of the second half. Whitstable started brightly and an attempted clearance went straight to Alex Wall whose swerving low shot from 25 yards was saved. Wall then headed on for Kweku Lucan who ran through before seeing his shot saved. Whitstable put the ball into the net in the 57th minute when Lucan's low cross was turned in by Jack Nelson who appeared a little unfortunate to be flagged offside. There was some amusement when Wall launched a 30 yard free kick into orbit and a replacement ball was needed in the 66th minute. A high cross was met by Wall in the 78th minute, but his header fractionally failed to hit the target and his first time, low shot was easily saved shortly afterwards. Wall then set up Nelson whose shot hit a defender and ball was again cleared by a busy Gills defence as Whitstable pressed for a late winner. The home goal had rarely been threatened in the second half, but Arthur Mhlanga chased after a bouncing ball before firing over the top from a narrow angle with a few minutes remaining. There were to be no goals and Whitstable now have just one game to play before the real action begins for Lee Martin's newly assembled squad.

The last scheduled pre-season friendly for Whitstable is a replay of the FA Vase final from May 2025 when they travel to play AFC Whyteleafe on Saturday. The Leafe have now entered into a ground share that will make Flamingo Park, Cray Wanderers’ ground, their new home, although the friendly at the weekend will be the Leafe’s last game at their old Church Road ground in Whyteleafe.

Whitstable Town
Dan Colmer, Harrison Pont, Jeremiah Gyebi, Trialist, Nathan Green, Perri Iandolo, Kenny Aileru, Derek Asamoah, Tom Derry (c), Henry Young, Trialist.
Subs: Alex Wall, Jack Nelson, Charlie Thomson, Kweku Lucan, Robbie Rees, Liam Boxall, Trialists.

Gillingham XI
Benji Spencer, Harry Webster, Teddy James, Thomas Silva, Martins Lawal, Henry Broster, Louis Dayal, Alfie Cross, Zack Whitelock, Joe Orpwood, Kelly Adams.
Subs: Evan Surrey, Goldstone, Raif Jones, Josh Stone, Olly Jackson, Luca Procopi, Arthur Mhlanga, Jack Kingston, Trialist.

Attendance: 504
Referee: Alex Gordon
Assistants: Chris Cannon & Krystian Kaczala