Whitstable finally got their home campaign up and running after disappointing defeats in their first two games, but had to battle hard to secure the three points against a good Bearsted team. Jerson Dos Santos put Whitstable ahead in the first half, during which Karn Miller-Neave had to depart with a bad knee injury. Robbie Roberts equalised for Bearsted just after an hour had been played, but Finn O’Mara restored the home team’s advantage from a corner shortly afterwards. Bearsted piled on the pressure towards the end of the game, but were denied by a resolute defensive display that earned a hard working Whitstable team a narrow win.

Last season, these two teams finished just outside the play off positions, in fifth and sixth, Whitstable with a single point more, having won 2-1 at home on an October evening before they drew 0-0 at Bearsted later in the season. Both came into this game following big weekend wins, so another close encounter seemed likely. Whitstable were without the services of the injured trio Dan Colmer, Mike West and Fin Cotton, 17 year-old Josh Robson continued in goal and Will Thomas was again named as captain. The visitors had several former Oystermen in their squad: Jack Palmby, Sam Stace, Adam Turton and Marvin Okundalaiye. There was a minute’s applause prior to the kick off in memory of Wally Brown, a much loved, loyal supporter who sadly passed away the previous day. The attendance, on a wet evening, was 298.

Bearsted began brightly, with Jesse Darko thumping an early free kick into the wall, Finn O’Mara got his head in the way of a Robbie Roberts effort and Will Johnson-Cole curled a shot wide from 20 yards. It was Whitstable however that grabbed the lead in the 24th minute when Will Thomas headed the ball forward and under pressure from Jerson Dos Santos, a couple of loose defensive headers saw the ball drop to Omotunmise Akanni who took the ball to the bye line on the left before pulling it back for Dos Santos to shoot past Frankie Leonard from eight yards. Archie Hatcher had a low shot from outside the area saved by Leonard, but Whitstable suffered an injury blow when left back Karn Miller-Neave injured his knee and was unable to continue, so was replaced by Jake McIntyre in the 36th minute. Just before the break, Robson comfortably saved a low Darko shot, then Harvey Smith managed to get his head to a Josh Oliver chip into the box, but was unable to direct it towards goal, so Whitstable led 1-0 at half time.

Whitstable made a change in the 58th minute, with Zack Jobe replacing Akanni, then Robson made a couple of routine saves, but Bearsted drew level in the 62nd minute. Stace made a run from midfield before slotting the ball through for Roberts on the right who found himself with just Robson to beat and made no mistake. The Bearsted manager immediately made a double substitution, but Whitstable were soon back in front. A good move down the right won a corner and Hatcher sent the kick into a crowded goalmouth where O’Mara got the crucial touch to divert the ball into the net in the 66th minute. Bearsted almost replied quickly when a right wing cross by Billy Lewins reached Johnson-Cole at the back post, but his touch from a couple of yards out sent the ball right back across goal and it was cleared.

Whitstable lost midfielder Reece Gillies with an ankle injury and they had to work hard for the remainder of the game to preserve their lead, although one counter attack was abruptly ended when Fraser Daniels jumped into Smith then chopped down Hatcher within a few seconds to earn a yellow card. Most of the action was at the other end, although Whitstable generally did a good job of protecting Robson in goal, with several shots blocked and Thomas did well under pressure to head away a dangerous free kick. Following just over five added minutes, the final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win for Whitstable who finished with two 18 year-olds and a 17 year-old on the pitch, so this would have been good experience for them.

Whitstable have another home game on Saturday when early league leaders VCD Athletic are the visitors.

Whitstable	Data	Bearsted
3	Shots on target	4
2	Shots off target	3
0	Shots blocked	6
2	Corners	2
16	Fouls conceded	10
1	Offside	2
0	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Josh Robson, Jerald Aboagye, Karn Miller-Neave (Jake McIntyre 36), Archie Hatcher, Finn O’Mara, Will Thomas (c), Josh Oliver, Reece Gillies (Casey Dudley 77), Harvey Smith, Jerson Dos Santos, Omotunmise Akanni (Zack Jobe 58).
Subs (unused): Dan Eason, Jayden Boulton.
Goals: Jerson Dos Santos 24, Finn O’Mara 66.
Yellow cards: Omotunmise Akanni 22, Reece Gillies 57, Josh Robson 79.

Bearsted
Frankie Leonard, Marvin Okundalaiye (Sam Flisher 89), Daniel Melvin, Jack Palmby (Adam Turton 63), Ryan Blake (c), Fraser Daniels, Will Johnson-Cole (Tyresse Bundu-Kamara 86), Sam Stace, Jesse Darko, Eniola Hassan (Billy Lewins 63), Robbie Roberts.
Sub (unused): James Nurden
Goal: Robbie Roberts 62
Yellow card: Fraser Daniels 84

Attendance: 298
Referee: Nick Bone
Assistants: Tyler Diminieux & Michael Donnelly