For the second time this season, Whitstable completed a 2-0 win over Tunbridge Wells, although the game was still in the balance until deep into second half added time. Whitstable were the better team in the first half, without being able to apply the finish to a number of chances created. After the break, Rodney Eruotor struck the bar before a Josh Oliver cross led to a defender putting the ball into his own net. The last third of the game saw much more threat from Tunbridge Wells and they will regret not making the most of two great chances from left wing crosses. Dean Grant eventually made sure Whitstable would take maximum points when he fired in a very late second, following good work by Jordan Wells.

Due to the summer pitch work, the league season for Whitstable began on the road, with three away wins, the second of which was at Tunbridge Wells, when manager Richard Styles returned to his former club and left with three points. There have been changes in management and players since that August day. Matt Gething scored five goals in twelve Whitstable appearances at the start of this campaign, but has since returned to his former club, so was back at the Belmont in the opposition. Ronald Sithole’s loan from Gillingham was not extended, so Gus Barnes was played up front and Sammi Takaloo made his first Whitstable start. Harry Gamble had recovered from injury sufficiently to take a place on the bench. This meeting kicked off with Whitstable just two points above their visitors who had played two fewer games.

There was a good away following of Tunbridge Wells supporters amongst another excellent Belmont attendance of 455. Whitstable started brightly and in the 9th minute, Wells found Oliver who went past his marker, but his shot was pushed around the near post by Jason Tibble. Eruotor shot over the bar from the corner, then Liam Gillies collected a Wells pass and tried a low shot from 20 yards that was parried by Tibble. Tunbridge Wells survived a dangerous, low Jake Mackenzie cross when two Whitstable players got in each other’s way. Oliver made a good run from the right, but his shot was well blocked. There had been little threat at the other end, although Tunbridge Wells won two free kicks in promising areas, but both saw the referee blow for Whitstable free kicks when the ball was sent into the box. The home team looked the more likely to score, but further efforts from Eruotor and Oliver failed to test Tibble, then Oliver put a free kick wide after a foul just outside the box. There was one yellow card for each team as half time approached, but no goals to report.

Whitstable continued to press forward when play resumed and Takaloo failed to convert a good Eruotor cross, but the offside flag was already raised. In the 47th minute, Barnes did well to chase down a ball on the right and crossed for Oliver who laid the ball back for Eruotor and his curling effort from the edge of the box cannoned off the bar. Whitstable finally found a way through in the 49th minute, but needed some help to do it! Gillies won the ball, which was collected by Oliver who drove forward on the right and sent over a low cross. Two defenders tried to cut it out, but it appeared to be diverted into the far corner by the outstretched leg of Tommy Smith. Tunbridge Wells made a change in the 59th minute and started to cause more problems for the home defence. A great cross from the left by Rhys Bartlett picked out the run of Trevor McCreadie, but he put his header wide from 6 yards. The chances started to come for the visitors and Jack Palmby turned but shot just wide from 18 yards. In the 77th minute, Bartlett sent over another cross to the back post, where Matt Astle had arrived unseen, only to volley wide from about 4 yards. Dan Eason had his first shot to save when he got down to collect a deflected long range effort by Robbie Bissett in the 79th minute. Another shot from distance by Gething was deflected just wide, then Eason safely gathered an Astle shot after Whitstable had lost possession.

As the game passed the 90th minute, a McCreadie shot in a packed area rolled tamely through to Eason, then Whitstable substitute Jefferson Aibangbee worked himself a shooting position, but his strike was deflected wide. The outcome was settled in the 6th added minute when “Man of the Match” Wells won the ball in midfield, strode forward and slipped it to Grant who did the rest, firing into the net past Tibble to the relief of the home supporters, who were able to celebrate a hard fought 2-0 win.

Whitstable next travel to Ashford on Saturday for an away league fixture against Kennington.

Whitstable	Data	Tun Wells
3	Shots on target	3
6	Shots off target	5
3	Shots blocked	2
4	Corners	4
14	Fouls conceded	8
5	Offside	2
0	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, George Sheminant, Jordan Wells, Will Thomas, Tom Mills (c), Josh Oliver (Jefferson Aibangbee 84), Liam Gillies, Gus Barnes (Dean Grant 81), Rodney Eruotor (Harry Gamble 72), Sammi Takaloo (Victor Aiyelabola 66).
Sub (unused): Cameron Chamberlain
Goals: Tommy Smith o.g. 49, Dean Grant 90+6.
Yellow cards: Josh Oliver 44, Victor Aiyelabola 87.

Tunbridge Wells
Jason Tibble, Tommy Smith, Robbie Bissett, Jack Palmby, Dan Tear (Frank Griffin 59), Connor Pring (c) Jack Walder 90+1), Matt Astle, Rhys Bartlett, Trevor McCreadie, Matt Gething, Johnny Phillips.
Subs (unused): James Nurden, Luca Bradley, Matt Blendell.
Yellow card: Dan Tear 41

Attendance: 455
Referee: Matt Charles
Assistants: Luke Morley & Stuart Beadle