The opening day of the SCEFL season saw Whitstable return to competitive action for the first time since winning the FA Vase at Wembley in May. Punjab United were the visitors in a meeting between the two sides that lost in the playoff semi-finals last season, so it looked like an early test for both as they aim to challenge for promotion again. It was Whitstable that took the points, with two early Javaun Splatt headers giving them a great start. Punjab pulled a goal back through Jack Hopkins before half time and although Whitstable missed several gilt edged chances to add to their lead after the break, they held on with relatively few alarms to claim the win.

Whitstable had not managed to beat Punjab in their three previous meetings on the Kent coast but did ease to a 4-1 away win towards the end of last season. Just five players that started that day were in the eleven that began this match. There were debuts for Tristan Holden, Javaun Splatt and James Miles. Whitstable were without the services of the injured Mikey Dalton, Connor Wilkins and Callum Peck, while Dean Grant and Will Thomas, who both had an injury interrupted pre-season were named among the substitutes. There was a good attendance of 625 at the Primcura Healthcare Stadium to see the season kick off.

It was a fast start by the home team, encouraged by some good vocal support behind the goal. Bradley Schafer tried a shot in the opening minute that was safely gathered by goalkeeper Owen Bushell. Shortly afterwards however, the goalkeeper was beaten to the ball by Ashdon Day outside his area, but the young Whitstable striker's attempted lob into the net bounced just wide of the open goal. They did take the lead in the 7th minute when Fin Cotton won possession on the right before a good cross by Schafer was headed in by Splatt. There was an opportunity for Punjab to respond when Will Johnson-Cole was denied by Dan Colmer after getting in on the right. Jack Hopkins then headed a corner over the top when he was given a bit too much space. A high ball into the Whitstable box caused some problems and Colmer saved an Ethan Okechukwu shot with an outstretched leg.

Just as Punjab were looking threatening, Whitstable doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute when Splatt rose highest to meet a Schafer throw and headed the ball over Bushell and into the net as Jake McIntyre and a defender both slid in at the back post. Punjab did manage to narrow the deficit in the 28th minute with a very soft looking goal from a Whitstable viewpoint. A throw was headed on and Johnson-Cole won an aerial duel at the far past to send the ball towards the goal where Hopkins diverted it past Colmer. Just before the break, Splatt curled in an effort from wide on the right that almost found the top corner, but was pushed away by Bushell, so the score remained 2-1 when the half ended.

Whitstable introduced Grant as they changed to a back four when the second half began and they could really have settled the outcome in the next few minutes. Miles threaded a pass through to send Schafer clear, but Bushell did well to grab the ball as he looked to go past him. Then, another Miles pass released Grant and this time a defender managed to get a foot in and the Whitstable substitute could only put the ball wide of the far post. Day shot wide following a corner kick and then curled another effort over the bar after being played in by Schafer. Just after the hour mark, a Splatt shot was handled and McIntyre fired the free kick just over the bar.

There was a warning for Whitstable in the 63rd minute when a Chris Edwards cross picked out the run of Hopkins who headed wide. Back at the other end, another McIntyre free kick was saved after Cotton had been fouled. Colmer then got down to save a long range shot by Hopkins. Both teams made changes and Punjab won a couple of free kicks out wide, but were unable to get the delivery right. Cotton went over in the box when challenged, but the referee wasn't interested. Deep into added time, Whitstable gave the ball away cheaply and had to block two attempts for a late equaliser, but in truth, it never really looked like coming, despite plenty of effort by the visitors. Without really looking at their best, Whitstable will be pleased enough to get off to a winning start against a good Punjab team.

Now that the July league fixture is out of the way, with three points banked, attention turns to the FA Cup and Whitstable were drawn away to Lingfield in the Extra Preliminary Round. The Southern Combination League hosts are currently unable to use their home ground, so this game will be played at Steyning Town on Saturday. The reward for the winners will be an away tie against either Edgware & Kingsbury or British Airways.

Whitstable	Data	Punjab United
5	Shots on target	4
8	Shots off target	2
1	Shots blocked	3
3	Corners	6
16	Fouls conceded	14
2	Offside	0
0	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Daniel Colmer, Ricardo Thompson, Finn O’Mara, Jake McIntyre (c), Fin Cotton, Jayden Boulton, Tristan Holden (Dean Grant 46), James Miles, Javaun Splatt, Bradley Schafer, Ashdon Day (Jack Peters 80).
Subs (unused): Will Thomas, Essa Jadama, Joe Healy.
Goals: Javaun Splatt 7, 22.
Yellow cards: Ashdon Day 34, Jake McIntyre 45+2, Jayden Boulton 51, Dean Grant 90+2.

Punjab United
Owen Bushell, Chris Edwards, Steve Ratcliff (c), Jack Barry, Rob Curtis, Jack Hopkins (Harnak Cheema 80), Ethan Okechukwu (Hudson Scudder 75), Jordan Campbell, Roman Campbell, Toch Singh (Arun Suman 90+3), Will Johnson-Cole (Alfie Moynes 90+2).
Sub (unused): Ashley Probets
Goal: Jack Hopkins 28

Attendance: 625
Referee: Krystian Kaczala
Assistants: Bradley Godden & Mark Takacs