Whitstable returned home following a good win at Glebe, to face a Hollands and Blair team managed by their former boss Scott Porter, who stood down from his position at the Belmont after guiding the team back to the Isthmian League in 2018. There were several good chances for both teams in the first half, but the only goal went to the visitors just before the interval when a free kick was headed home by George Benner. Whitstable made a quick start to the second half, with Stephen Okoh striking the post before Matt Gething scored a great solo goal to bring the scores level. The game changed shortly afterwards when Hollands and Blair were gifted a second goal from a Whitstable throw, Tom Walmsley gratefully slotting the ball past Dan Eason. There was no shortage of opportunities for Whitstable to get something from the game, but they were unable to break through a resolute defence again and although the performance was much better than the previous home game, the end result was the same.

Hollands and Blair arrived at the Belmont just below Whitstable in the table, having drawn seven of their first eleven games. Their starting eleven contained no fewer than eight former Oystermen, with another, Rob Gillman, on the bench. There were also some other familiar faces in the away dugout including Mark Lane and Darren Anslow. Whitstable were without the suspended pair Joe Nelder and James Huggins and also the unwell Tom Mills. Sam Stace, a new signing from Bearsted, and young midfielder Alfie Prior both started their first games for the club.

There was another good midweek crowd of 331 at the game and they almost saw a very early goal for the visitors when a Tom Loynes cross was headed over by Ben Brown. A good low cross by Harry O’Donnell just eluded Stace before Danny Walder struck a free kick at Eason, as chances appeared at both ends. A one-two between Josh Oliver and Jake Mackenzie gave Oliver a sight of goal, but Harry Brooks did well to push his firm shot away for the first of eight home corners. In the 17th minute, Walmsley laid the ball back for George Hall, who was denied by Eason. Whitstable won a free kick in a dangerous position, but Oliver lifted his shot over the top. Gething then released Okoh whose mazy run into the box ended with his shot being saved by the body of Brooks. A Blair free kick from the halfway line was missed by everyone and almost crept in at the far post before Oliver and Walder were both cautioned for a tussle. Eason comfortably saved an effort by Sam Bewick, but then Blair took the lead in the 42nd minute when a Walder free kick from the right was met by Benner who steered his header just inside the near post. The closing minutes of the first half saw Whitstable’s worst spell of the match and they might have been punished further. Richard Davies ran on to a pass in the left corner of the box and Mackenzie’s sliding challenge brought loud penalty appeals from the visitors, but the referee, who was well placed, felt that the defender had just got a touch on the ball first and waved play on. Hall then pulled the ball back from the right for Brown who shot over.

The halftime whistle allowed Whitstable to regroup and they came out much more positively for the second period. Okoh cut in from the left and struck the inside of the near post from 22 yards before the equaliser arrived in the 48th minute. Gething got the better of Hall just inside his own half and took the ball forward before making space just inside the box and shooting past Brooks. The mood changed just 90 seconds later when a George Sheminant throw in from the halfway line went straight to Brown who picked out the run of Walmsley and he steered the ball into the net. Will Thomas and Gething both headed opportunities wide as Whitstable enjoyed plenty of good possession, but could not find a way through the Blair defence, with Benner and veteran John Walker playing well. Whitstable won several corners, while Benner headed another Walder free kick wide at the other end. Substitute Kyron Lightfoot first tested Brooks with a free kick from the left that was turned behind, then fired a long range effort just over the bar. A number of substitutions were made as the clock ran down, including a brief Whitstable debut for promising academy player Alex Kokoshi, but there were no further scares for Blair who held on to claim the three points.

Whitstable now have a break from league action as they entertain Stansfeld in the Kent Senior Trophy on Saturday.

Whitstable	Data	H&B
4	Shots on target	6
9	Shots off target	4
1	Shots blocked	0
8	Corners	0
16	Fouls conceded	16
4	Offside	3
0	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie (Alex Kokoshi 90+2), George Sheminant, Alfie Prior (Dominic Wynter-Stephens 83), Freeman Rogers (c), Will Thomas, Harry O’Donnell, Josh Oliver (Kyron Lightfoot 69), Matt Gething, Sam Stace, Stephen Okoh (James Jeffrey 83).
Sub (unused): Tom Roberts
Goal: Matt Gething 48
Yellow cards: Josh Oliver 33, George Sheminant 41.

Hollands and Blair
Harry Brooks, Tom Loynes (Sam Wright 84), Harry Brown, Danny Walder, George Benner, John Walker, George Hall (Louis Valencia 80), Sam Bewick, Tom Walmsley, Ben Brown (c), Richard Davies (Frankie Smith 68).
Subs (unused): Ethan Stewart, Rob Gillman.
Goals: George Benner 42, Tom Walmsley 49.
Yellow cards: Danny Walder 33, Sam Bewick 63, George Benner 79.

Attendance: 331
Referee: Marian Stoichitoiu
Assistants: Kieran Williamson & Daniel Payton