This match was played in exceptionally warm conditions for early September, on an unsurprisingly hard grass surface given the lack of recent rainfall. The first half saw only brief moments of excitement, with both teams trying to keep possession and chances at a premium. Dan Eason had to make a couple of smart saves to prevent Sutton Athletic from taking the lead, but it was Steadman Callender that opened the scoring with a great strike deep into added time that was Whitstable’s first meaningful goal attempt. That goal, together with some tactical adjustments, seemed to change the game and once Rodney Eruotor finished a good move early in the second half, Whitstable were always in control and defended well when necessary. Josh Oliver added a third, right at the end, to give the score line a slightly flattering appearance, but Whitstable will be happy enough with a win and clean sheet in challenging conditions.

It was back to league action for Whitstable following their 3-2 FA Cup defeat to Wingate & Finchley as they looked to build on their mixed start of seven points from five games. Sutton Athletic had so far earned four points from four games. Whitstable had won both meetings between the teams in the previous season, but both have since made a number of changes to their playing squads. Whitstable were without the injured Ben Cheklit, Liam Gillies was away and Josh Oliver was named as a substitute, having been delayed by the chaotic Kent roads that also accounted for a number of travelling supporters missing the 3pm start. Jack Palmby, Rodney Eruotor and Josh Williams returned to the starting eleven and Harvey Smith, the recent addition from Margate, was on the bench.

There was some early optimism for the Whitstable fans amongst the 110 crowd as their team made a bright start with Williams shooting over following a one-two with Harry Gamble. Chances were then limited, but the home team did threaten in the 12th minute when Jack Kirby and England Kurti combined on the left to create an opportunity for Connor Watson whose low shot from the edge of the box was turned around the post by Dan Eason. Whitstable broke quickly from the resulting corner and George Sibley did well to get back to avert the danger as Tyler Anderson sped into the box. The game went through a quiet phase either side of a drinks break and Sutton had to make a change in the 39th minute when Will Currie picked up an injury. Kurti had an effort blocked after a neat build up then Marcel Brown forced another good save from Eason when he tried to find the bottom corner from 18 yards. Whitstable took the lead in the sixth added minute when Palmby swept the ball out to Anderson on the left and he played it forward to Steadman Callender who stepped inside a defender before powering an unstoppable shot into the far corner from just outside the box. That “goal of the season” contender was the last action of the first half and was a key moment in the game.

Whitstable added a second goal in the 52nd minute after a patient build up, with Callender and Palmby both involved before Eruotor and Gamble swapped quick passes to leave Eruotor with the task of placing the ball past Joe Hyde into the far corner from a few yards out. Sutton continued to enjoy plenty of possession in the Whitstable half, without being able to test Eason again. Louis Lovell glanced a header wide, Kurti found space but shot over, then substitute Jude Watts made a good run across the box before firing wide. Whitstable had introduced substitutes Oliver and Smith, for his debut, and Oliver shot wide after the two had combined. Will Thomas got in the way of another Kurti effort, then the same player was just off target after some good pressure around the edge of the Whitstable box. An Eri Akintimehin pass sent Oliver through on goal, but Hyde made a good stop with his legs. The Whitstable defence had to repel some late pressure before Mason Simms failed to clear a Jake Mackenzie ball forward and his misdirected header was collected by Oliver who this time made no mistake, finding the far corner to make it 3-0 in the 95th minute. Whitstable then took the opportunity to hand a debut to Josh Robson, the promising 16 year old academy goalkeeper, who replaced Eason for the last minute of the game.

Whitstable will be looking for more points on the road when they make the journey to Deal on Tuesday evening for an always competitive league fixture.

Sutton Ath	Data	Whitstable
3	Shots on target	4
6	Shots off target	2
4	Shots blocked	0
2	Corners	5
6	Fouls conceded	5
0	Offside	2
0	Penalties	0

Sutton Athletic
Joe Hyde (c), George Sibley, Mus Hashemi, Connor Watson (Jude Watts 74), Connor Cheek (Harry Beech 89), Will Currie (Mason Simms 39), Neil Spencer, Marcel Brown, Louis Lovell, Jack Kirby (Dan Watson 74), England Kurti (Jonah Clark 90+5).
Subs (unused): none

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason (Josh Robson 90+6), Jake Mackenzie, George Sheminant, Jack Palmby, Will Thomas, Tom Mills (c), Tyler Anderson (Harvey Smith 64), Rodney Eruotor (Josh Oliver 60), Steadman Callender (Ed May 86), Harry Gamble, Josh Williams (Eri Akintimehin 80).
Subs (unused): none
Goals: Steadman Callender 45+6, Rodney Eruotor 52, Josh Oliver 90+5.

Attendance: 110
Referee: Howard Collins
Assistants: Alex Stacchini & Stuart Jones