Whitstable won a home game for only the second time this season; their only previous success was a win against Rusthall in September. They were made to work for the points by the bottom team Canterbury City whose manager Keith Bird quit just before Christmas. The majority of the 627 crowd might have feared the Belmont curse was to continue when Henry Arnold put Canterbury ahead in a good first half performance by the visitors, but well-taken goals by Ronald Sithole and Victor Aiyelabola gave Whitstable the advantage at the break. Seb Rowland equalised early in the second half, but Whitstable dominated the remainder of the game and Harry Gamble headed them back in front. A missed penalty by Liam Gillies was not costly as Josh Oliver fired in a late free kick to seal the win.

This was the last game of 2022, not the best year on the pitch for Whitstable despite the many advances at the club, particularly the summer installation of a new 3G pitch that had unfortunately been enjoyed more by the visiting teams. Seven defeats from nine home league games, compared to seven wins from ten away, tell the story, but the attendances have continued to grow with the average for league games at the Belmont now 414 after this festive derby. There were two new faces in the home squad with Ronald Sithole joining on a work experience loan from Gillingham and Sammi Takaloo from Ramsgate on dual registration. Will Thomas and Josh Oliver were available again after completing their suspensions. Canterbury, with Ade Gower in temporary charge, included four former Whitstable players – Danny Keyte, Nico Cotton, Seb Rowland and Harry O’Donnell.

The opening minutes saw Canterbury create a few chances, passing the ball better than their hosts, with Arnold having an early goal attempt blocked after Whitstable had given the ball away cheaply. Both teams had unconvincing penalty appeals that were ignored by referee Kieran Cox. In the 16th minute, Dan Eason was tested with a shot from the edge of the area by Cotton that he saved low to his left. Gillies shot just over the bar from 25 yards before O’Donnell and Archie Hatcher both had shots blocked in quick succession as Whitstable struggled to clear their lines. Aiyelabola was unable to keep his free kick down after Sithole had been fouled, then the young Gillingham forward played in Rodney Eruotor who curled his shot wide from the right. Canterbury were gifted the lead in the 28th minute when Arnold hit a weak, low shot from the edge of penalty area that somehow squeezed under Eason and over the line.

Whitstable were level on 31 minutes when Aiyelabola, who had broken through on the left a couple of times, chipped over a cross and Sithole got to the ball just before goalkeeper Lee Kidman and cleverly lifted it over him into the net. O’Donnell looked a constant threat on the left and sent a cross just past the far post, but Whitstable made it 2-1 in the 39th minute. Some good approach play gave Gillies the chance to shoot, but although his effort was blocked, the ball rebounded to Aiyelabola who powered it into the far corner from 20 yards, giving Kidman no chance. Canterbury remained a threat, with O’Donnell and Rowland shooting wide before another O’Donnell shot was deflected for a corner that was headed off target in added time.

Whitstable began the second half looking sharper and Aiyelabola and Sithole had shots blocked, but Canterbury found an equaliser in the 51st minute when a low O’Donnell shot from the left was saved by Eason, but he could only push the ball into the path of Rowland who gratefully scored from close range. Gillies shot just wide after a run across the box, then a promising run by Arnold looked like it might put the visitors ahead again, but he failed to hit the target. That opportunity for City in the 57th minute would prove to be their last goal attempt as Whitstable began to take control.

Aiyelabola and Sithole continued to look dangerous and Whitstable won a couple of corners that led to their third goal in the 66th minute. Gillies delivered the ball to the middle of the goalmouth and it was met by Gamble who mysteriously found himself all alone to nod it over the line. Numerous substitutions were made by both teams. The determined Sithole rode a couple of challenges to break into the area, but was denied by Kidman. In the 84th minute, Sithole raced onto a good pass before being challenged by Kidman just outside the area and as he tried to recover his balance, the ball rolled forward to Takaloo who was brought down by the last defender Bleu Landau. The referee awarded a penalty and showed the young City player a yellow card, which presumably would have been red had the offence been committed outside the area. Gillies stepped up and powered the spot kick well over the bar. Whitstable did score a fourth in the 88th minute, when Sithole was impeded by Keyte 25 yards from goal and Oliver expertly bent the free kick into the bottom right corner. Gillies had a shot saved after good work by Oliver, then Will Thomas hit the bar when he met an Oliver corner at the far post. Stoppage time saw another Sithole shot blocked, but Whitstable had done enough to end the year with a home win and send the majority of the crowd home, dreaming of a happy new year and a better home record in 2023.

A visit to Punjab United on the New Year Holiday Monday is next for Whitstable before Glebe visit the Belmont the following Saturday.

Whitstable	Data	Canterbury
7	Shots on target	4
7	Shots off target	6
6	Shots blocked	4
7	Corners	2
8	Fouls conceded	10
1	Offside	2
1	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, George Sheminant, Joe Nelder (Caoilte Deakin 58), Will Thomas, Tom Mills (c), Rodney Eruotor (Dean Grant 60), Liam Gillies, Ronald Sithole, Victor Aiyelabola (Sammi Takaloo 68), Harry Gamble (Josh Oliver 77).
Sub (unused): Sam FitzGerald
Goals: Ronald Sithole 31, Victor Aiyelabola 39, Harry Gamble 66, Josh Oliver 88.

Canterbury City
Lee Kidman, Bleu Landau, Nico Cotton, Danny Keyte (c), Charlie Weston (Jacob Strouts 88), Ross Johnstone (Rob Burgess 69), Remell Grieson (Sam Obubanjo 82), Archie Hatcher (Ahmed Gaschiev 85), Seb Rowland, Henry Arnold (Dylan Ruler 71), Harry O’Donnell.
Subs (unused): none
Goals: Henry Arnold 28, Seb Rowland 51.
Yellow card: Bleu Landau 84

Attendance: 627
Referee: Kieran Cox
Assistants: Christopher Middleton & Krystian Kaczala