AFC WHYTELEAFE 2 WHITSTABLE TOWN 0
Pre-season friendly
Saturday August 1 2026 15.00

Just one week before the season kicks off with an FA Cup tie, Whitstable travelled to Whyteleafe to play the team they last met at Wembley in May 2025. That day was a historic triumph for the Oysters, but AFC Whyteleafe have since gone from strength to strength and been promoted in consecutive seasons. This was to be their last game at their traditional home, at least for the time being, as they have entered into a ground share at Cray Wanderers. Whyteleafe have retained more of those that featured in the FA Vase final than Whitstable who have just goalkeeper Dan Colmer and midfielder Robbie Rees in the current squad following the mass summer defections to league rivals Margate. Several experienced Whitstable players were missing, including Ian Gayle, Tom Beere and Tom Derry, together win the injured Matty Holness, so it was an opportunity for more trialists to impress. A crowd of around 200 was there to watch on a hot afternoon.

Whitstable began brightly and won an early free kick just outside the box, but Perri Iandolo's free kick was saved by Slav Huk. The first Leafe attack saw Francis Mampolo cut in from the left and shoot wide of the near post. The home team's biggest threat, Ryan Gondoh, made a good run down the left and fired across goal, but wide. Matt Warren sent Gondoh away on the right and he raced clear but his low shot was comfortably saved by Colmer. Rees found space on the right before crossing to the back post, but it was just out of the reach of Alex Wall. In the 20th minute, Gondoh's low cross somehow escaped an unmarked Mampolo at the back post and Whitstable escaped. The tireless Rees tried a shot from 30 yards that wasn't too far over the bar.

An injury led to a Whitstable change after the drinks break, with one trialist replacing another on the right. Kweku Lucan found the space to shoot, but his effort was deflected behind. Colmer then got down to deny Gondoh once more and a few minutes later Gondoh set up Palace Francis who flashed a shot fractionally wide of Colmer's left hand post from 20 yards. The Whitstable defence managed to get in the way of a couple of strikes following a corner and in the final action of a goalless first half, Lucan's shot lacked the power to trouble Huk.

Whitstable made two substitutions when play restarted and won an early corner, but a quick clearance by Gondoh wasn't dealt with by a trialist, who otherwise had a good game, allowing Mampolo a clear run on goal and he went around Colmer to score in the 47th minute. The referee produced a yellow card when Jeremiah Gyebi pulled back Gondoh, who then had a curler pushed around the post by a diving Colmer. Mason Saunders-Henry tested the Whitstable keeper with a firm shot from distance and a Gondoh free kick was also saved. Gondoh went close again when he controlled a long ball, cut inside and shot past the far post.

Derek Asamoah's volley was deflected for a corner and Jack Nelson had a shot blocked as Whitstable went looking for a late equaliser, but they were caught out in the 88th minute when Helge Orome sent Gondoh though on the right and he brushed off a challenge before shooting past Colmer. Whitstable were not quite finished and looked certain to grab a late consolation in added time when two red shirts closed in on a loose ball in the box, only for Peter Ojeman to slide in and the ball was safely collected by Huk as the referee called a halt to the game.

Whitstable enter the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday when they entertain Roffey, who enjoyed an 8-0 win in their opening SCFL game, so will be a test for the Oystermen as they look to follow up last season's run to the Fourth Round Qualifying.

AFC Whyteleafe
Slav Huk, Dami Olorunnisomo, Geoffrey Okonkwo, Corey Holder (c), Craig Braham-Barrett, Helge Orome, Ade Cole, Matt Warren, Ryan Gondoh, Francis Mampolo, Palace Francis.
Subs: Montel McKenzie, Peter Ojeman, Eniola Hassan, Mason Saunders-Henry.
Goals: Francis Mampolo 47, Ryan Gondoh 88.

Whitstable Town
Dan Colmer, Harrison Pont (c), Tom Hanfrey, Liam Boxall, Nathan Green, Perri Iandolo, Trialist M, Robbie Rees, Alex Wall, Henry Young, Kweku Lucan.
Subs: Trialist B, Kenny Aileru, Jeremiah Gyebi, Jack Nelson, Derek Asamoah, Trialist J, Trialist V, Trialist H.
Yellow card: Jeremiah Gyebi 59

Attendance: 200 (headcount)