Whitstable had to settle for a point on Tuesday evening when Lordswood fought back to score two late goals in a very open game of football under the lights at the Belmont, watched by a crowd of 364. Despite Lordswood creating the better early chances, two well taken goals by Josh Williams and Rodney Eruotor put Whitstable in control at half time. Whitstable missed good opportunities to increase their lead before Ethan Stewart pulled one back early in the second half, although Steadman Callender soon restored the two goal advantage. Whitstable continued to look for further goals and paid the price as the hard-working visitors were always a threat on the break and a second goal for Stewart gave them hope. When Whitstable missed a great chance to put the game to bed at one end, the ball was soon in the net at the other as Josh Reid levelled with a few minutes remaining.

Both teams had progressed in the FA Cup, but Lordswood arrived having only played one league game, which was a draw at Rusthall. Whitstable were looking to bounce back from a defeat at Glebe. Rodney Eruotor came into Whitstable’s starting eleven, which also had a rare change in goal because Dan Eason was away, so Harry Brooks took the gloves for the first time since his debut in 2016. James Jeffrey, who scored for Whitstable in the 2-2 draw in last season’s corresponding fixture, was in the Lordswood team. The teams observed a minute’s silence in memory of long time Whitstable supporter Robin Whitehead before play commenced.

There were a few nervy moments in the home defence early in the game and Artem Kuchkov almost took advantage when he had a shot blocked, then lifted another over the bar. Ethan Stewart and Josh Reid worked a free kick routine that saw Reid’s shot deflected for a corner. The first moment of quality from Whitstable was in the 15th minute when a great Josh Williams cross found Steadman Callender whose header was well saved by Tom Crump. Brooks was a little fortunate when his attempted clearance hit Jeffrey, but rebounded just wide of the goal as Lordswood continued to look the more likely to open the scoring. Tyler Anderson was played through by Callender, but Crump just got to be ball first and the collision resulted in an injury that saw the Whitstable winger limp off to be replaced by Josh Oliver in the 28th minute. Williams put Whitstable in front in the 32nd minute when he collected a Ben Cheklit pass on the right, got the better of two opponents and cut in before beating Crump with a shot inside the near post. Oliver created a chance for Eruotor whose low shot was saved. It was 2-0 in the 36th minute when an Oliver corner was headed out by Jeffrey to the 18 yard line where Eruotor controlled the ball before firing a shot through the crowd into the net. Williams had another shot deflected wide, Brooks saved a Reid shot and Oliver was denied by Crump as chances continued at both ends, but Whitstable led 2-0 at the interval.

Whitstable went close just after the restart when Williams raced clear before sending the ball across from the right and when it was cleared to Oliver, he struck a great first time shot that was heading for the top corner, but was somehow kept out by Crump. A Lordswood corner was cleared to Oliver who outpaced everyone down the left, only to put his shot the wrong side of the post. Lordswood scored their first in the 50th minute when a Reid cross hit Jeffrey and the ball fell nicely for Stewart to turn it past Brooks. Whitstable almost immediately restored their two goal lead when Liam Gillies played in Callender who shot in off the post from 18 yards. Following a short break when the referee went down with cramp, Lordswood made a couple of substitutions and Jeffrey broke through, but Brooks saved. Whitstable might have chosen to hold on to their lead, but the game became even more stretched. Oliver had a shot blocked then put another wide, but Lordswood scored the crucial next goal in the 77th minute. Whitstable lost possession and a Reid cross was flicked on by Jeffrey to Stewart who controlled and stabbed the ball in at the back post. Brooks tipped a speculative effort by Quadri Green over the bar. The game was tied up at 3-3 in the 85th minute following a passage of play that began with a couple of chances for the home team. Harry Gamble was unable to finish a good low cross by Eri Akintimehin and the ball came out to Jack Palmby whose shot rebounded clear to start a quick break that ended with a deflected Reid shot rolling agonisingly into the Whitstable net. A few late half chances came to nothing and the game finished in a draw, which was probably fair on the balance of play, although Whitstable will regret twice losing a two goal lead, while the Lordswood celebrations suggested that they left much the happier of the two teams.

There is a break from league action on Saturday for Whitstable as they travel to play VCD Athletic in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Whitstable	Data	Lordswood
8	Shots on target	7
2	Shots off target	8
4	Shots blocked	3
7	Corners	5
7	Fouls conceded	10
0	Offside	0
0	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Harry Brooks, Jake Mackenzie, George Sheminant, Ben Cheklit, Will Thomas, Tom Mills (c), Tyler Anderson (Josh Oliver 28), Liam Gillies (Jack Palmby 67), Steadman Callender, Rodney Eruotor (Harry Gamble 73), Josh Williams (Eri Akintimehin 75).
Sub (unused): Dean Grant
Goals: Josh Williams 32, Rodney Eruotor 36, Steadman Callender 51.
Yellow card: Liam Gillies 41

Lordswood
Tom Crump, Joe Jarvis (Rahman Kareem 60), Harvey Broad, Ryan Neal, Joel Odeniran, Archie Risdon (c), Josh Reid, Quadri Green (YJ Ogundipe 80), James Jeffrey, Artem Kuchkov (Jack Peters 62), Ethan Stewart.
Subs (unused): Lucas Mvongo, Donell Sama.
Goals: Ethan Stewart 50, 77, Josh Reid 85.
Yellow cards: Joe Jarvis 45+3, YJ Ogundipe 88.

Attendance: 364
Referee: Christopher Cannon
Assistants: Harrison Clark & Toby Hindmarsh