Whitstable collected a valuable three points in a competitive game against the current league leaders Erith and Belvedere at Park View Road. In a game where defences were mostly in control, a clinical strike by Bradley Schafer in the first half was enough to secure Whitstable an away win. Goalkeeper Dan Colmer and his defenders had plenty of balls into the box to deal with, but did enough to keep a clean sheet and move Whitstable to within two points of the top spot.

The Deres have begun the season well and came into this game with 24 points from their 14 games played, which had steered them to the top of the table. Both teams' records in the FA Vase last season exempted them until the next round so were able to play this league fixture on the Saturday of the First Round. Whitstable's FA Cup adventures have left them playing catch up and they found themselves five points and five games behind the Deres. When Whitstable last visited in March, they secured a 1-0 win thanks to a late Harvey Smith goal. Connor Wilkins and Ricardo Thompson remained unavailable for Whitstable who introduced new signing Bradley Walledge among the substitutes. The attendance for this game was 182, with the usual travelling support for the Oysters making themselves heard.

There was an early chance for the Deres when a headed clearance by Matthias Broomes reached Harvey Mead in space on the right and he cut inside before trying a shot that went over the bar. Javaun Splatt put an effort over at the other end shortly afterwards. The Deres went close again when Broomes was first to the ball in the Whitstable box, but fired wide. It was Whitstable that took an early lead though in the 13th minute. Dan Colmer launched the ball up to Chris Alhassan who held it up and found Theo Osinfolarin whose cross was initially headed away by Tom Fitzgerald, but as the ball dropped Fin Cotton managed to get in front of Ryan Fowler on the 18 yard line and divert it towards Bradley Schafer whose instant left footed strike found the net just inside the right hand post. In a predictably tight game, the first goal was quite likely to be significant, so it felt like a key moment. A Whitstable corner was quickly cleared and the Deres soon had a corner of their own that Colmer failed to hold at the far post under pressure and the ball rebounded off one of the waiting players, but fortunately for Whitstable hit the outside of the post and went wide.

Scott Jarvis hurled in a number of long throws and one led to an opportunity for Fowler in the 19th minute, but his shot struck a defender before being scrambled away. Whitstable felt they could have had a penalty when Splatt got to the ball ahead of his marker before being knocked over by goalkeeper Danny Alexander, but the referee waved away the appeals. Another long throw caused problems for the Whitstable defence as the ball came out to Broomes on the edge of the box, but Jake McIntyre managed to cut out his low shot. Osinfolarin sent over a good cross from the right that Splatt headed wide at the near post. Two Whitstable corners came to nothing, but Deres skipper Rob Strachan might have done better when he lost his marker before heading a free kick over the top. Alhassan twisted and turned before attempting a shot that was deflected and looped up for an easy save. Whitstable won a late corner when Osinfolarin's shot was blocked at the near post, but the teams went in at the break with just the single Schafer goal separating them.

Schafer tried a speculative effort when play restarted, McIntyre put a free kick over the top and then had an effort blocked following a corner. The Deres made two changes and created a number of half chances, but lacked the finish to hurt Whitstable. Danny Lear shot over after the ball was flicked on and then placed his shot wide when he met a low cross. Another long Jarvis throw was helped on before being headed wide by Lear, but Whitstable had Colmer to thank in the 67th minute when he got across to tip a Freddie Baker header around the post; the resulting corner was headed wide by Strachan.

Walledge then came on for his debut, replacing Schafer as Whitstable tried to manage the remaining time in the game. Dean Grant put in a hardworking shift when introduced and made a good run into the box from the left but his effort from a narrow angle was blocked. Ronnie McClean hit a low shot from distance that was comfortably saved and a couple of crosses flew across the Whitstable box. As the game became a bit stretched, Walledge shot over and Baker's drive was blocked. A throw in then reached the lively Baker who lobbed the ball over the bar. Another McIntyre free kick was deflected over and Walledge's shot was unable to find its way through a crowded area. Whitstable safely negotiated around seven added minutes during which there were yellow cards for Grant and Fitzgerald, but no change to the score and, with some relief, the Whitstable supporters were able to celebrate a hard earned three points.

There is a quick turnaround for Whitstable when they visit Snodland Town for another league fixture on Tuesday before they finally get to play a home match, the first for a month, on Saturday against Holmesdale.

Erith & Belvedere	Data	Whitstable
2	Shots on target	3
9	Shots off target	6
4	Shots blocked	5
4	Corners	6
6	Fouls conceded	17
0	Offside	4
0	Penalties	0

Erith and Belvedere
Danny Alexander, Scott Jarvis (Tyller Davis-Whitlock 72), Ronnie McClean, Ryan Fowler, Rob Strachan (c), Tom Fitzgerald, Harvey Mead, Alfie Morgan, Danny Lear, Freddie Warwick (Thomas Borders 55), Matthias Broomes (Freddie Baker 62).
Subs (unused): AJ Morrison, Donnell Anderson.
Yellow card: Tom Fitzgerald 90+7

Whitstable Town
Daniel Colmer, Finn O’Mara, Jayden Boulton, Mikey Dalton, Will Thomas, Jake McIntyre (c), Chris Alhassan (Ashdon Day 55), Fin Cotton, Javaun Splatt (Dean Grant 71), Bradley Schafer (Bradley Walledge 69), Theo Osinfolarin.
Subs (unused): Josh Robson, Joe Healy.
Goal: Bradley Schafer 13
Yellow card: Dean Grant 90+3

Attendance: 182
Referee: Byron Beard
Assistants: Jerry Onyeka Nnamani & Paul Webb