Whitstable travelled to play Corinthian in their last scheduled away fixture of the league season, needing one point to be certain of a home tie in the play-off semi-final. It was also a special day for the hosts Corinthian for a different reason as it was the final home game for their long serving manager Michael Golding. The game itself was quite entertaining as both teams created a number of chances and Corinthian in particular were thwarted by the post and bar on several occasions. In the end though, Whitstable once again found a way to get a result, winning 2-1. Bradley Schafer opened the scoring, but Tom Mitcham equalised before half time from one of Callum Keeble's dangerous long throws. Whitstable had Dan Colmer to thank for preventing Corinthian scoring again and it was Finn O'Mara who slotted in the decisive goal midway through the second half.

This was the eighth game in eighteen days for Whitstable and with just two league matches left to play, third place was likely to be their final position, although another point would ensure that, and with it a home play-off. These two teams played out a 3-3 draw at Whitstable in November. Corinthian were in ninth place, with no chance of reaching the play-offs, but would have wanted to perform well in the last home game for Michael Golding who is standing down after ten years as manager. Whitstable made another seven changes to the line up from their previous game and before the kick off, manager Jamie Coyle was presented with the SCEFL Premier Division Manager Of The Month for the second consecutive month by Ricky Adams the league secretary. Plenty of Whitstable supporters had again travelled to support their team, making up a good proportion of the 236 crowd.

The game nearly got off to a spectacular start when Jake McIntyre fired a free kick towards the top right corner from over 30 yards, but goalkeeper Andy Norburn made a good save. The resulting corner reached Joe Healy at the back post, but he shot over. The long throws of Callum Keeble always looked like the main threat for the home team and in just the 6th minute one was headed against the post by Jamie Billings. Dan Colmer made a routine save from a Tom Mitcham shot and Will Thomas shot over at the other end. Ashdon Day won the ball in midfield before being unceremoniously brought down by Ethan Page, earning him the first yellow card of the evening. Adedapo Olugbodi soon followed him into the book for delaying the restart of play. A good cross from the left was then headed over the bar by Mefose Esumobi.

Whitstable took the lead in the 25th minute when Bradley Schafer collected a loose clearance, went past a couple of covering defenders and shot into the far left corner from just inside the penalty area. Another long Keeble throw was headed onto the top of the bar by Mal Turner, then a Richie Atkins shot struck McIntyre before being cleared away. Corinthian equalised in the 35th minute and it was no surprise that the goal came from a long throw that was flicked on by Esumobi and Mitcham arrived to head in from close range. Another long throw eventually saw the ball drop to Jack Billings who volleyed over the bar. Just before half time a Schafer corner was headed over the bar by Healy, then Olugbodi shot wide from 25 yards. Whitstable survived another long throw and the teams left the field with the half time score 1-1.

The Whitstable management were probably a little concerned that their team had struggled to handle the barrage of long throws and made three half time substitutions. Finn O'Mara, Fin Cotton and Ronald Sithole replaced Jerald Aboagye, Olugbodi and Healy. Day tried an early shot that was easily gathered by Norburn, but Esumobi ran forward and powered a shot towards the top corner from 25 yards that was tipped over the bar by Colmer. Sithole bent a free kick over the bar as play went from end to end. A quick Whitstable break in the 68th minute gave Sithole the chance to run at the home defence before finding Schafer whose cross was drilled just over the bar by Harvey Smith who had just been introduced from the bench. The action switched straight to the other end and Turner had an effort blocked, but not cleared and when the ball was crossed back in from the left, Colmer made a great save down to his left to keep out a Keeble header.

Whitstable stood firm as Corinthian pressed and then managed to score the decisive goal in the 73rd minute. Schafer initially did well to win possession and only a good interception by Hugo Taylor denied him at the expense of a corner, which Sithole sent back into the box where Day eventually laid the ball off for O'Mara to shoot past Norburn. A good run and cross by Sithole was then volleyed over by Schafer. The Whitstable defence still needed to deal with a few more long throws into the box, but they generally managed much better than they had in the first half. Simon Walton almost scored a late equaliser when he turned and tried to lob Colmer from 20 yards, but the goalkeeper stretched high to get a touch and the ball came back off the bar. The home team had to complete the game with ten men when Jamie Billings was "sin binned" in the 87th minute and Day drew a great save from Norburn who got across to turn his shot around the post. Whitstable safely negotiated the last few minutes to claim another win and confirm third place with one game remaining.

Whitstable complete their regular league fixtures at home on Saturday when Glebe are the visitors, but they no doubt will already be planning for the play-offs.

Corinthian	Data	Whitstable
5	Shots on target	6
5	Shots off target	9
4	Shots blocked	1
6	Corners	5
12	Fouls conceded	11
0	Offside	2
0	Penalties	0

Corinthian
Andy Norburn, Mal Turner, Fin Whitton (Michael Hagan 79), Ethan Page (Louis Earley 53), Jamie Billings (c), Hugo Taylor, Richie Atkins (Oscar Housego 60), Callum Keeble, Mefose Esumobi (Simon Walton 81), Alexander Jack Billings, Tom Mitcham.
Sub (unused): Alfie Pailes
Goal: Tom Mitcham 35
Yellow cards: Ethan Page 12, Jamie Billings (sin bin) 87.

Whitstable Town
Dan Colmer, Jerald Aboagye (Fin Cotton 46), Adedapo Olugbodi (Finn O’Mara 46), Ricardo Thompson, Jake McIntyre (c), Will Thomas, Albie O’Mara-Knapp (Harvey Smith 67), Connor Wilkins (Robbie Rees 83), Joe Healy (Ronald Sithole 46), Bradley Schafer, Ashdon Day.
Subs (unused): none
Goals: Bradley Schafer 25, Finn O’Mara 73.
Yellow cards: Adedapo Olugbodi 13, Ashdon Day 56.

Attendance: 236
Referee: Jack Mottram
Assistants: Steven Tunnicliffe & Michael Donnelly