Whitstable met VCD Athletic for the third time this season and completed a hat-trick of wins, although it was once again a closely fought encounter. Whitstable had the better of the first half in terms of chances created and, at the break, might have been disappointed to lead by just a single goal, scored by Reece Gillies. VCD pressed hard for an equaliser in the second half and dominated possession for long periods, but Whitstable defended stoutly, with goalkeeper Jordan Perrin making a vital stop when Sadik Balarabe had probably the best opportunity for the hosts. Whitstable had to see out the closing minutes with ten men when Victor Aiyelabola was dismissed for a clash with Harry Sargent.

The teams met for the first time this season in an FA Cup tie at Oakwood when early and late goals saw Whitstable complete a 2-0 win over a VCD team captained by Reece Gillies. Then in their first league meeting since VCD were relegated last year, Whitstable conceded an early goal, but fought back to win 2-1 with a late Josh Williams goal. After a slow start to the season, VCD have steadily improved and were enjoying a good run until losing at a wet Tunbridge Wells in midweek. Two former Whitstable front men were in the home squad, with Charlie Heatley starting and Steadman Callender on the bench. Whitstable were without Ollie Gray, Emmanuel Oloyede and Josh Oliver, but George Sheminant had recovered from injury to be named as a substitute. Josh Williams returned to the team and new signing Malachi Hudson started on the left wing. The grass pitch was in excellent condition considering the recent wet weather.

VCD started on the front foot, winning a couple of corners before Whitstable got themselves into some promising positions. Hudson sent over a dangerous low cross that was put behind for a corner, then a great Reece Gillies cross was glanced just wide by James Jeffrey. Mikey Dalton and Liam Gillies showed plenty of determination to win possession in midfield and Liam Gillies brought the ball forward before testing Joe Hyde with a low shot. Sadik Balarabe did well on the right to find Bethel Gboda in the 18 yard box and his shot was deflected just past the far post by Jake Mackenzie. Jordan Perrin comfortably saved a Lee Bird shot from distance, then a Williams cross was headed narrowly wide by Harvey Smith. Jeffrey cut in from the right, but placed his shot the wrong side of the near post. In the 21st minute, a Balarabe corner was met by a diving header from the impressive Ben Fitchett, but the ball flew wide.

The pace of Williams on the right was causing VCD problems and he crossed for Smith whose shot was well blocked by sliding Fitchett. In the 32nd minute, Williams threaded a pass through the middle to send Jeffrey clear and he shot past the advancing Hyde, but wide of the right post. After Perrin got out quickly to thwart a VCD attack, Williams pulled the ball back for Dalton whose shot was cleared away by Harry Lawrence. Perrin then saved from Bird after his attempted clearance had gone straight to the VCD midfielder. Whitstable scored just as the half entered added time. Jeffrey did well to keep possession on the left before finding Dalton who sent Williams away on the right and his cross was pushed out by Hyde, but only as far as Reece Gillies who managed to find the net through a crowd of players to give his team a half time lead.

VCD, who made a change at the break with Michael Fenn replacing Josh Leach, pushed forward for significant periods of the second half as Whitstable rarely threatened to add to their score, but defended capably and did a good job of protecting Perrin from having to make too many saves. Perrin collected a deflected Manny Shoderu shot and in the 57th minute Sheminant made a welcome return after four weeks out. Heatley shot wide from 12 yards when he was picked out by a quick Gboda cross, but it would not have counted as the assistant had ruled him offside. On 73 minutes, Reece Gillies conceded a free kick that was swung into the box where Sargent nodded the ball down for Fitchett who shot just wide. Balarabe was played through on the left, but Perrin saved well with his legs and when the ball was returned, Zak Byron’s shot was blocked and Richard Jimoh fired the rebound high over the bar.

Whitstable substitute Victor Aiyelabola played a one-two with Liam Gilles and sent a low shot whistling just past the far post, then after Aiyelabola had won a free kick, the ball was worked into Tyler Anderson whose shot was saved by Hyde. The referee had enjoyed a good game, but things got a little heated in the closing stages and Whitstable’s assistant manager Craig Coles was shown a yellow card, then Liam Gillies became the fifth player to go into the book. Deep into added time, Sargent pulled Aiyelabola over and as they were getting up the referee spotted something and the Whitstable player was sent off. The game ended a couple of minutes later and Whitstable were able to celebrate a hard won three points against a good VCD team with their travelling supporters.

There is now a short break for Whitstable before Croydon visit the Belmont for the semi-final of the Kent Senior Trophy on Tuesday week. This game had to be moved from the scheduled Saturday date due to Croydon’s involvement in the London County cup competition.

VCD Athletic	Data	Whitstable
4	Shots on target	4
5	Shots off target	6
4	Shots blocked	0
10	Corners	5
7	Fouls conceded	12
4	Offside	0
0	Penalties	0

VCD Athletic
Joe Hyde, Harry Lawrence, Josh Leach (Michael Fenn 46), Zak Byron, Ben Fitchett (c), Harry Sargent, Manny Shoderu (Richard Jimoh 63), Lee Bird, Charlie Heatley (Steadman Callender 62), Bethel Gboda, Sadik Balarabe (Emmanuel Oshinowo 80).
Sub (unused): Oliver Andrews
Yellow cards: Bethel Gboda 45, Ben Fitchett 85, Harry Sargent 90+5.

Whitstable Town
Jordan Perrin, Jake Mackenzie, Reece Gillies, Mikey Dalton, Will Thomas, Tom Mills (c), Malachi Hudson (George Sheminant 57), Liam Gillies, James Jeffrey (Tyler Anderson 62), Harvey Smith (Victor Aiyelabola 79), Josh Williams.
Sub (unused): Josh Robson
Goal: Reece Gillies 45+1
Yellow cards: Malachi Hudson 34, Reece Gillies 73, Liam Gillies 90+3.
Red card: Victor Aiyelabola 90+4

Attendance: 125
Referee: Richard Myers
Assistants: Mitchell Bush & Thomas Colyer