Following a lovely spring day, a persistent band of rain arrived just in time for this fixture that was finally played at the fourth attempt. Despite plenty of effort, neither team were able to score, although both will feel they had enough chances to have won. The best opportunities for Holmesdale came in the first half, but they were thwarted by Whitstable goalkeeper Dan Eason and some wayward finishing. Whitstable themselves improved as the game progressed and created numerous chances in the second half without being able to find a way past James Boughtflower, although he was relieved to collect the ball when Dean Grant’s header struck the inside of the post.

Three postponements had resulted in this game being played just eleven days after the teams met at the Belmont Ground when two early Josh Oliver goals were enough to give Whitstable the three points. That was the last game played by Holmesdale who have suffered a number of postponements and an abandonment this season. They came into this game having lost their lost eight and without a goal since February 11th. Whitstable are enjoying a more successful run, but realistically cannot finish higher than fifth, due mainly to some poor home form in the early part of the season. Manager Marcel Nimani was without several players, with Liam Gillies, Ashley Sains and Cameron Chamberlain all unavailable, so there were starts for Neil Spencer, James Jeffrey and Caoilte Deakin, with young Maidstone United player Alfie Giles named among the substitutes.

The first real chance fell to the home side in the 7th minute when Jamie Rawsthorne found Harry Main in the box and he delivered a low cross from the right that was only cleared as far as Cian McCarthy who blazed his shot over the top from near the penalty spot. Jefferson Aibangbee tried a shot after cutting in from the left, but it was blocked by a defender. Muiz Alaka sent the ball forward for Main who managed to evade the challenge of Tom Mills, but his shot from the edge of the box was pushed wide by Dan Eason. In the 17th minute, a Neil Spencer effort was deflected behind for the first Whitstable corner that was swung over from the left by Oliver and a Mills header was cleared off the line; Will Thomas crossed the ball back in and Mills tried again and this time his shot on the turn was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Holmesdale then won possession on the left and Main tested Eason again from 22 yards, but his shot was pushed away. Rawsthorne next attempted to lob Eason from distance, without success. Deakin was cautioned for a foul about 30 yards out, but Luke Adams struck the free kick straight to Eason. George Sheminant enjoyed a good game at left back for Whitstable and he almost created a goal for James Jeffrey who was just unable to beat Boughtflower. Holmesdale continued to create some good opportunities and a low Rawsthorne cross went right across goal, then after a patient build up, Herve Mbongue saw his shot well saved by Eason at his near post. The home defence safely saw off a little late Whitstable pressure and the teams went in level at the break.

Both managers made changes at the start of the second half, with Riley Asaam coming on for Holmesdale, while Gus Barnes and Dean Grant were introduced for Whitstable. A Sheminant cross was deflected just past his own post by McCarthy and the resulting corner was headed over by Harry Gamble. Whitstable almost broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute when an Oliver shot was blocked, Sheminant collected the rebound and crossed for Grant to head against the foot of the post, with the rebound being collected by the goalkeeper before anyone could follow in. Whitstable were now looking more threatening and after some good approach play, Jake Mackenzie shot just over the bar. A quick Holmesdale break might have earned some reward, but Main decided to try his luck from 40 yards, sending the ball well wide. James Shield then put a shot just past the post from 25 yards.

In the 64th minute, another Sheminant corner was pushed out by Boughtflower straight to Gamble whose volley was turned over the top by the goalkeeper. A long range McCarthy effort was saved by Eason at the other end before Aibangbee passed the ball across to Barnes whose firm shot was held by Boughtflower. After Grant had been fouled on the left, Oliver’s free kick was helped towards goal by Mills, but turned behind for a corner from which Thomas had a shot well blocked. There were a couple of late chances for Whitstable to secure a win, as a Thomas cross was headed at Boughtflower by Grant and Sheminant found Barnes, but he couldn’t get sufficient power on his shot that was safely gathered. Six added minutes brought no further alarms at either end, so the points were shared.

Whitstable’s busy week continues with a Saturday home game against Fisher followed by an Easter Monday trip to Hollands and Blair.

Holmesdale	Data	Whitstable
6	Shots on target	8
6	Shots off target	4
2	Shots blocked	8
3	Corners	8
15	Fouls conceded	11
4	Offside	0
0	Penalties	0

Holmesdale
James Boughtflower, Siji Akinlusi, Muiz Alaka (Emmanuel Dasho 73), Cian McCarthy, Ryan Styles, James Shield (c), Jamie Rawsthorne, Luke Adams, Harry Main (Chima Eze 79), Herve Mbongue (Riley Asaam 46), Fred Obasa.
Subs (unused): Can Yilmaz, Kameiko Pope-Campbell.
Yellow cards: Muiz Alaka 36, Luke Adams 38, Ryan Styles 45+3, Cian McCarthy 80.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, George Sheminant, Caoilte Deakin (Dean Grant 46), Will Thomas, Tom Mills (c), Neil Spencer (Gus Barnes 46), Harry Gamble, James Jeffrey (Alfie Giles 79), Josh Oliver, Jefferson Aibangbee.
Subs (unused): Harry O’Donnell, Zack Jennings.
Yellow cards: Caoilte Deakin 25, James Jeffrey 74.

Attendance: 62
Referee: Jack Owen
Assistants: Matthew Sell & Paul Agyei-Tabi