Whitstable booked their place in the next round of the Emirates FA Cup with a good performance against Newhaven. An early goal by Robbie Rees gave them the start they would have wished for and two great finishes by Jack Nelson pretty much wrapped things up by half time. The impressive Rees scored his second soon after the interval and when Henry Young steered in the fifth with 25 minutes left on the clock, it looked like Whitstable might be set to match their 9-0 win at Edgware & Kingsbury at the same stage last season, but that was the end of the scoring.

Following a 3-1 home win against Roffey in the previous round, another Southern Combination League Premier Division team, Newhaven, were the visitors for this Preliminary Round tie. They had collected seven points from their first three league games, and had won 2-0 at Forest Row in the previous round of this competition. Whitstable were still without a number of players, including five who had captained the team since pre-season began: Tom Beere, Ian Gayle, Tom Derry, Corey Panter and Harrison Pont; the latter was serving a one game ban. Nathan Green wore the armband for this game. Matty Holness was fit to be included in the squad for the first time. The attendance at the YMS Stadium was 466.

Whitstable started brightly, but there was an early half chance for Newhaven when a throw was flicked on and Lee Robinson turned and shot high over the bar. The home supporters didn't have to wait long for the first Whitstable goal as they opened the scoring in the 5th minute. Kenny Aileru won the ball midfield and sent it out to the right where Ryan Bernal and Kweku Lucan combined before Bernal's cross was met by Robbie Rees who volleyed the ball into the net from six yards. Rees was involved again when he won possession and found Jack Nelson on the left and his shot from just outside the box was heading towards the far corner before being well saved by Fraser Trigwell who pushed the ball wide. Lucan was then too quick for Elliott Bresciani who brought him down to earn the game's only yellow card. It was 2-0 in the 15th minute and Rees was again the instigator, collecting a loose ball in midfield and sending it over the top for Green on the left and his cross was met by Nelson who arrived to instantly guide the ball into the roof of the net. Rees then tried a shot from distance that proved an easy save for Trigwell.

Newhaven made a change, as Robinson was replaced by Dexter Lambert and had their best spell of the afternoon just after the half hour point. Dexter Lambert slipped the ball through for Ezra Roeg whose shot was easily caught by Dan Colmer. They then won a free kick just outside the box, which Rudy Jones fired just wide. Ryan Blunt also shot wide after breaking through on the left. Henry Young was then denied by Trigwell and Newhaven dealt with two Whitstable corner kicks, but found themselves 3-0 down just before the break. Green headed an attempted clearance out to Rees on the right and his cross was fired in by Nelson.

Lucan had picked up an injury, so didn't return for the second half and Manny Ogunrinde took his place on the right. Newhaven also made another substitution. Whitstable added a fourth goal in the 52nd minute when Tom Hanfrey sent the ball down the left and Rees got past two defenders to chip over Trigwell and into the net. It was to be his last action because he was immediately replaced by Perri Iandolo. Bernal sent the ball across to Iandolo who laid it back for Young to try his luck from 25 yards, but his strike cannoned off the post with Trigwell beaten. Young did get on the score sheet in the 65th minute when he passed to Manny Ogunrinde on the right and continued his run into the box to steer the ball into the net when it was crossed back to him.

A good move led to substitute Derek Asamoah forcing a good save from Trigwell, but he was flagged offside. Both teams made their final changes in the 74th minute, then a spell of Whitstable pressure saw Ogunrinde's shot deflected wide. A Newhaven free kick asked a few questions of the Whitstable defence, but the ball was eventually cleared. Iandolo then swung a free kick into the box at the other end for Alex Wall who headed the ball wide. Whitstable continued to create opportunities, the last of which saw Asamoah shoot just past the far post. They were unable to add to their score, but were in the draw for the next round.

It's a busy period for Whitstable who entertain Deal Town in a league match on Tuesday before travelling to Chichester to play AFC Portchester in the FA Trophy on Friday evening.

Whitstable	Data	Newhaven
9	Shots on target	1
5	Shots off target	3
3	Shots blocked	0
8	Corners	0
10	Fouls conceded	8
5	Offside	0
0	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Dan Colmer, Ryan Bernal, Nathan Green (c) (Matty Holness 60), Charlie Thomson, Liam Boxall, Tom Hanfrey, Kenny Aileru (Derek Asamoah 67), Henry Young, Jack Nelson (Alex Wall 74), Robbie Rees (Perri Iandolo 53), Kweku Lucan (Manny Ogunrinde 46).
Subs (unused): Zach Keeble, Jack Fenton.
Goals: Robbie Rees 5, 52, Jack Nelson 15,44, Henry Young 65.

Newhaven
Fraser Trigwell, Jesse Lambert (Harry Hammond 53), Max Vardy, Dan Allen, Matt Gunn, Elliott Bresciani, Ash Wadhams, Rudy Jones (Lennie Deacon 74), Lee Robinson (c) (Dexter Lambert 26), Ryan Blunt (Dash Callen-Dickens 74), Ezra Roeg (Fin Chisholm 46).
Subs (unused): Fin Laundon, Shay Tobin.
Yellow card: Elliott Bresciani 14

Attendance: 466
Referee: Adam Miller
Assistants: Richard Wilson & Ian Lowe