This entertaining game held little importance for either team, with Whitstable thinking of the playoffs ahead and Glebe in a comfortable mid table position. It was a much changed Whitstable team that emerged as winners to maintain their good form. Nathan Jeche gave the home team an early lead, but Emmanuel Shoderu equalised just before half time. Whitstable continued to create the majority of the chances and second half goals by Jeche and Will Thomas wrapped up the points, although Jamie Philpot grabbed a consolation for Glebe with the last kick of the match.

The last scheduled league fixture of the 2024-25 season saw Glebe visit the Primcura Healthcare Stadium on Whitstable’s “sponsors’ day” that helped to swell the attendance to 560. The result would have no bearing on the final position in the table for Whitstable who were already confirmed as third place finishers, with a home playoff semi-final to look forward to in just three days’ time, so unsurprisingly a number of regular starters were rested. Academy goalkeeper Josh Robson replaced Dan Colmer in goal and there was a debut for Brandon Day in defence. Glebe arrived in poor form, but well clear of any relegation battle.

Harvey Smith had a couple of early attempts as Whitstable began well and then almost turned provider when his good cross was headed over the bar by Joe Healy. The home supporters did not have long to wait however for the first goal which was scored in the 11th minute. Robbie Rees battled to win possession and slipped the ball through for Nathan Jeche who fired a shot into the top corner. A few minutes later, Smith headed a throw in down for Healy who volleyed the ball over the top. Healy and Jeche then combined to find Ronald Sithole who turned smartly on the edge of the box, but his low shot was saved by Justin Lee. Glebe won two corner kicks in quick succession without seriously threatening Robson in the home goal.

Whitstable created so many openings, but another goal would not come. Sithole shot wide, then, after a Jake McIntyre free kick rebounded to Smith, he lifted another effort over the bar. On 30 minutes, Jeche won the ball and fed Sithole who really should have tested goalkeeper Lee, but dragged his shot wide. Glebe then lost their captain Dan Vaughan to injury before Josh Jackson finally gave Robson something to do when his long shot was comfortably gathered by the young Whitstable goalkeeper. Back at the other end, Sithole passed to Jeche who lobbed Justin Lee, only to see the ball bounce just wide of the far post. Whitstable would pay for all their missed opportunities when Glebe equalised in the 42nd minute as Alvin Turyatemba skipped past several challenges on the right of the box and the ball ran on for Emmanuel Shoderu who found the net. There was still time for Whitstable to threaten again before the break, as Justin Lee tipped a Smith shot over the bar and Will Thomas had a header blocked from the last of three late corners. A 1-1 half time score was hardly a true reflection of the first 45 minutes, but if you fail to take your chances…

Whitstable made three changes before play restarted, as Jayden Boulton, Kai Jeffrey and Albie O'Mara-Knapp were introduced. The second half began with action at both ends. A header by Jamie Philpot was pushed out from under the bar by Robson, then a Jerald Aboagye cross was sliced over his own bar by a Glebe defender's attempt to clear. A Whitstable free kick almost led to another goal when Jeche's header struck the bar and Will Thomas put the rebound over the top. O'Mara-Knapp and Sithole both had efforts saved before Whitstable regained the lead in the 62nd minute. A left wing cross was headed down by Sithole and Jeche forced the ball over the line for his second goal of the game.

Both teams made further changes, but Whitstable continued to press forward and Justin Lee did well to push a Fin Cotton free kick around the post. A quick break by Glebe gave substitute Kelvin Bakare an opportunity to test Robson, but he appeared to tread on the ball at the chance was lost. Whitstable made it 3-1 in the 88th minute when Thomas was given too much space in the box and was able to head a Cotton free kick into the net. There was a very late consolation goal for Glebe in added time when Louis Duckering got free on the right and his low cross was steered in by Philpot. It mattered little because the final whistle blew as soon as play restarted and the win meant that despite the crowded fixture list over the last few weeks, Whitstable had not lost a league game since January 14th and had finished the league campaign with a run of 15 wins and 3 draws.

So, the playoff semi-finals have now been confirmed and Whitstable will host fourth placed Fisher on Tuesday. Beyond that lies a possible playoff final against VCD Athletic or Punjab United, plus of course the much anticipated FA Vase final at Wembley against AFC Whyteleafe.

Whitstable	Data	Glebe
9	Shots on target	4
10	Shots off target	1
4	Shots blocked	0
5	Corners	4
6	Fouls conceded	10
1	Offside	3
0	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Josh Robson, Jerald Aboagye, Jake McIntyre (c) (Jayden Boulton 46), Fin Cotton, Brandon Day (Kai Jeffrey 46), Will Thomas, Joe Healy (Albie O’Mara-Knapp 46), Robbie Rees, Nathan Jeche (Ashdon Day 70), Ronald Sithole, Harvey Smith (Reece Gillies 79).
Subs (unused): none
Goals: Nathan Jeche 11, 62, Will Thomas 88.

Glebe
Justin Lee, Paul Lee, Matt Self, Femi Ogunbiyi (Ben Byrne 87), Jerry Nnamani, Dan Vaughan (c) (Callum Flynn 32), Alvin Turyatemba (Kelvin Bakare 76), Alex Arif, Jamie Philpot, Josh Jackson (Louis Duckering 74), Emmanuel Shoderu.
Sub (unused): Nathan Edwards
Goals: Emmanuel Shoderu 42, Jamie Philpot 90+4.
Yellow cards: Alex Arif 65, Callum Flynn 68, Jerry Nnamani 75.

Attendance: 560
Referee: Matthew Jackson
Assistants: James Walshaw & Bradley Godden