Whitstable made it seven successive away wins in the league, but left it late to do so at Phoenix Sports. Nathan Jeche diverted the ball past Ryan McCourt with just a couple of minutes remaining, but it then needed a late save from Dan Colmer to seal the win as the home team tested him for the first time. Earlier, a quiet first half had produced no efforts on target from either side. After the interval, Whitstable were much improved in a relatively one sided second half, but a hard working Phoenix team almost held on for a share of the points.

The teams last met in the 2022-23 season when Phoenix won their home match 2-1 and Whitstable were successful in their last home game of that campaign, winning 3-2. Promoted Phoenix then spent two seasons at Step 4, before suffering relegation this year. They were expected to be challenging towards the top of the table this season, but find themselves in lower mid-table after a moderate start. One of Whitstable's Wembley heroes, Jerald Aboagye, was in the Phoenix team. Second placed Whitstable were without the injured Mikey Dalton, but Jayden Boulton has returned to the club and was included on the bench. The earlier rain cleared away prior to kick off, leaving a sunny, but chilly afternoon for the 162 in attendance.

The first half failed to produce many chances for either team. Phoenix looked neat and tidy with plenty of possession, but rarely threatened a Whitstable team that were far from their best. Phoenix created one good opportunity in the 11th minute when a good build up on the left gave Tyller Davis-Whitlock the chance to cross for Anduel Shquti who lifted his shot over the bar. Whitstable had won a couple of corners without looking too threatening before Phoenix got close to a breakthrough in the 25th minute when Davis-Whitlock cut in from the right, but his shot hit Will Thomas and was deflected wide.

Whitstable did improve a little and earned two more corner kicks that were both taken by Jake McIntyre, the second of which was met by Javaun Splatt whose close range header went just wide. Louis Downey volleyed over from outside the box and Thomas was again in the right place to block another Shquti shot. A few minutes before the break, Dan Colmer sent the ball up towards Splatt whose header was only cleared as far as Malachai Belboda who shot into the side netting. Neither goalkeeper had seen too much action and the teams went in at half time with the score still goalless.

Whitstable returned for the second half and immediately played with much greater intensity. A corner was flicked on by Finn O'Mara before being cleared at the far post. Brad Walledge threaded a great ball between defenders to release Jack Nelson, but goalkeeper Ryan McCourt did well to deny the Whitstable striker. Walledge then tried an ambitious lob that was caught by McCourt who then did well to get behind a powerful strike by Splatt. Just after the 60 minute mark, a Whitstable corner caused problems as two efforts were blocked before the ball reached O'Mara whose low shot across goal appeared to be kept out by the goalkeeper's outstretched leg. Both managers then made substitutions, two for Phoenix and for Whitstable, Nelson was replaced by Nathan Jeche who continues his gradual return from injury. Bradley Schafer fired over and McIntyre blasted a free kick into the wall as Whitstable continued to push forward. A good move sent Belboda away on the right and his cross found Jeche in front of goal, but he couldn't get a proper connection and McCourt was able to make the save. In the 74th minute the ball was slipped through to Jeche who put it into the net at the near post, but the effort was ruled out for a marginal offside call.

Phoenix were reduced to ten in the 84th minute when substitute Lyla Della-Verde was shown a straight red card after Schafer was felled and frustrations grew. Whitstable were still pressing and a Jeche header was saved. It began to look like they would only be leaving with one point until they eventually scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute. Schafer came inside from the left touchline before firing the ball low into the box where Jeche turned it into the corner of the net, leaving McCourt wrong footed. There was one more key moment as the game entered the time added on by referee Jordan Rant and Phoenix at last managed a shot on target. Ahkeem Belford's long throw was flicked on by player manager Jake Goodman and the ball was steered towards goal as several players closed in, only for Colmer to acrobatically tip it over the bar. There was still time for Splatt to shoot wide and Schafer had another attempt blocked, but it didn't matter and Whitstable had maximum points and a 12th win from their last 13 away games in all competitions, the only loss being their FA Cup exit at National League Wealdstone.

The big games keep coming and the FA Vase returns on Saturday as Whitstable continue their defence of the trophy. Eastbourne United are the visitors for this Third Round tie.

Phoenix Sports	Data	Whitstable
1	Shots on target	7
2	Shots off target	5
2	Shots blocked	5
2	Corners	7
11	Fouls conceded	8
0	Offside	1
0	Penalties	0

Phoenix Sports
Ryan McCourt, Jerald Aboagye (Ronnie Gilbert 81), Ahkeem Belford (c), Harry Barnes (Lyla Della-Verde 62), Jake Goodman, Will Efambe, Tyller Davis-Whitlock (Jamarie Brissett 62), Louie Downey, Ben Morrison, Anduel Shquti, Tyrese Agbontaen.
Subs (unused): Lee Kidman, Kristian Campbell.
Red card: Lyla Della-Verde 84

Whitstable Town
Daniel Colmer, Ricardo Thompson, Jake McIntyre (c), Fin Cotton, Finn O’Mara, Will Thomas, Malachai Belboda (Joe Healy 95), Brad Walledge, Javaun Splatt, Bradley Schafer, Jack Nelson (Nathan Jeche 63).
Subs (unused): Jayden Boulton, Josh Robson, Dean Grant.
Goal: Nathan Jeche 88
Yellow card: Jack Nelson 56

Attendance: 162
Referee: Jordan Rant
Assistants: Oliver Mortlock & Jason Brown