Whitstable produced a positive response to Saturday's disappointing display in the charity shield match and registered their first away win in the league at their third attempt. Two early goals, by Ashdon Day and Javaun Splatt, assisted by some questionable defending, settled any nerves among the large group of travelling supporters. Blair did cause Whitstable some problems for the remainder of the half and Dan Colmer made a good save from former Oyster Josh Oliver. When Finn O'Mara headed a third goal for Whitstable in the second half, the game was effectively over and they could have added more, but there was a late consolation for Blair when Kane Rowland netted in added time.

Maximum points from their three home league games, plus three good FA Cup wins on the road have given Whitstable a promising start to the season, but with just a single point from their two away outings in the league, Whitstable were looking for some improvement when they made the journey to Gillingham to play Hollands and Blair. There was some added interest for this fixture with plenty of former Whitstable players now at Blair; Simon Kabamba, Reece Gillies, James Jeffrey, Josh Oliver, Matt Gething and Kane Rowland all started for the home team and ex Whitstable manager Richard Styles is now the assistant manager to Darren Blackburn. Bradley Schafer, Dean Grant and Connor Wilkins were all missing from the Whitstable team through injury, but Jake McIntyre returned to captain the team. The Oyster supporters made their presence known around the ground and helped swell the midweek crowd to 267.

Following the disappointing performance in the Charity Shield on Saturday, Whitstable could not have hoped for a better start to this game, although they received some help from the Blair defence. The opening goal was scored after just 7 minutes when a clearance by Jake McIntyre was twice headed in the wrong direction by Blair players and fell invitingly for Ashdon Day who coolly lobbed Dan Ellis to put Whitstable ahead. Things soon got worse for the home team when McIntyre's pass was helped on by Javaun Splatt for Day who arrived between two defenders and although his shot was saved by the foot of Ellis, the ball rebounded kindly for Splatt who finished well into the bottom corner from 18 yards to make it 2-0 on 14 minutes. Theo Osinfolarin shot over from 20 yards, then Day seized on a loose pass by James Jeffrey and hit a testing, low, right footed shot that was well saved by Ellis at the expense of a corner.

Whitstable gave Oliver a bit too much space and his well-struck shot was well saved by a diving Colmer low to his right. A loose clearance by Whitstable went straight to Gillies whose long range shot flew just wide. Blair were starting to cause the Whitstable defence a few problems and Joe Thomas broke through on the right and sent the ball past Colmer, but Finn O'Mara was on hand to clear as Jeffrey closed in at the back post. A Gillies cross was then headed just wide by Rowland. Thomas was again put through on the right and cut inside to hit a left footed shot that was safely gathered by Colmer. A low left wing cross went right across the Whitstable box as Blair continued to look for a goal as half time approached, but Whitstable managed to keep their 2-0 lead at the break and we're possibly happy to hear the whistle for a chance to regroup.

Not too much happened in the early minutes of the second half until a Joe Healy free kick was met by the head of Day, but Ellis got down to save. Day then swiftly left the pitch, feeling unwell, to be replaced by Jake Abrahams. A third Whitstable goal in the 63rd minute all but settled the outcome and it came from a free kick on the left. Healy played it short for a one-two with Splatt before crossing to the far post where Will Thomas headed the ball into the middle for O'Mara to nod it past Ellis.

Academy player Abrahams looked lively and shot over after a good run, then placed a shot just wide after being set up by Osinfolarin. Whitstable then won three quick corners and had the ball in the net from the third when O'Mara slotted in but Thomas was penalised for a foul. Abrahams sped past his marker in the 86th minute and shot past Ellis, but Kabamba managed to get back and clear the ball off the line. Blair finally got some reward for their efforts in added time when the Whitstable defence allowed Rowland the space to shoot past Colmer when Vinnie Bowman crossed the ball from the left and it was glanced on by Oliver. Rowland was in the action again when heading a cross well wide seconds before the final whistle, but Whitstable will be happy enough with their evening's work and a 3-1 away win.

Next up for Whitstable is the FA Cup Second Round Qualifying tie at home against Isthmian Premier Division team Chichester City as they attempt to reach the Third Round Qualifying for the first time in 36 years.

Hollands & Blair	Data	Whitstable
3	Shots on target	7
4	Shots off target	4
1	Shots blocked	2
2	Corners	4
12	Fouls conceded	11
0	Offside	3
0	Penalties	0

Hollands and Blair
Dan Ellis (c), Simon Kabamba, Josh Brooker (Vinnie Bowman 68), Reece Gillies (Bailey Catherick 76), Charlie Weston (Charlie Barlow 68), Luke Exall, Joe Thomas, James Jeffrey (Harry Linch 68), Kane Rowland, Josh Oliver, Matt Gething.
Sub (unused): Folarin Awoleke
Goal: Kane Rowland 90+3
Yellow card: Josh Brooker 32

Whitstable Town
Daniel Colmer, Ricardo Thompson, Jake McIntyre (c), Mikey Dalton, Finn O’Mara, Will Thomas, Ashdon Day (Jake Abrahams 57), Jack Peters, Javaun Splatt (Callum Peck 89), Joe Healy (Fin Cotton 88), Theo Osinfolarin (Jayden Boulton 88).
Sub (unused): Zach Keeble
Goals: Ashdon Day 7, Javaun Splatt 14, Finn O’Mara 63.
Yellow card: Jake Abrahams 78

Attendance: 267
Referee: Luke Morley
Assistants: Sheridon Grant & Michael Donnelly