Whitstable and VCD both had to settle for a point following a hard fought game at the Belmont. There was a very strong and gusty wind throughout and the pitch was a little uneven in places after the recent poor weather, but at the least the heavier rain held off until the final whistle. Whitstable started promisingly, but VCD created the majority of the chances in the first half. Dan Eason ensured that his team only trailed by a single goal at the break, but he was unable to reach Kelvin Ogboe’s shot which drifted agonisingly into the far corner after a spell of VCD pressure. The second half was more closely contested and Aaron Millbank equalised for Whitstable, setting up an entertaining last twenty minutes as both teams tried to find a winner. Whitstable were again indebted to Eason who saved well from substitute Courtney Barrington and will probably be happier with their point from a game in which they were not at their best, but put in a determined second half display.

VCD arrived at the Belmont two places above ninth placed Whitstable in the league table, with two points more from one game less. Whitstable’s preparations were disrupted when captain Tom Bryant had to pull out after injuring his ankle in the warm up. Liam Dickson came into the team to replace him, whilst Luke Girt, Liam Gillies and Aaron Millbank all returned to the starting eleven. VCD included in their team the experienced defender Rob Bartley, a new signing from Grays Athletic. Charlie MacDonald, who won the Golden Boot for the division with 35 goals last season, remains a serious threat at the age of 38, having played for a number of clubs, including Charlton, Brentford, MK Dons, Oldham and Barnet.

Whitstable created a few half chances in the opening quarter of an hour, with an early corner being headed over by Josh Spencer and another being deflected narrowly wide. Gillies then volleyed a bouncing ball wide from 20 yards. VCD were starting to see more of the ball and MacDonald raced through on goal with the home defence waiting for an offside flag, but it never came and he clipped the ball over Eason, but Spencer got across to clear at the back post. The pressure continued and soon afterwards Whitstable found themselves behind in the 21st minute. Alex Gaggin played the ball down the right to MacDonald who struck it across goal to where Ogboe twisted and turned before curling it back in low from a tight angle. It looked as though it may have taken a slight deflection or perhaps had a little wind assistance, but it evaded Eason’s dive and found the far corner of the net.

After Spencer became the only player to be booked for a foul, Ali Fuseini, who recently returned for another spell at VCD, curled the free kick straight to Eason. From the next VCD corner, the ball was eventually hooked into the box by George Monger and Eason did well to initially block an attempt by MacDonald, but as the ball bounced, the VCD captain tried an overhead kick that went fractionally wide of the right hand post. Following a rare Whitstable attack in the 33rd minute, Gillies swung over a corner that was headed back into the box by Spencer and over the top by Dickson. The tall Temi Eweka then headed a VCD corner wide, before a Fuseini shot seemed destined for the top corner, only for Eason to make a great save. The Whitstable goalkeeper was called into action once more before half time, as Gaggin made a good run then tried a fierce, angled drive from the right that was pushed out to safety. In added time, Whitstable at least managed an effort on target, when Girt tried a shot from distance that was easily collected by Matt Funnell. VCD were well worth their 1-0 lead at the break.

VCD sent on Jack Steventon in place of Monger for the second half, but it was Whitstable that had the first opportunity when a Millbank shot was saved by Funnell and TJ Jadama was just unable to get to the rebound. The VCD goal scorer limped off to be replaced by Barrington, before a quick turn and shot by MacDonald was saved by Eason. Harry Stannard replaced Gillies, then Leo Mazzone came on for Dickson, with Girt dropping back into the Whitstable defence. The changes appeared to give Whitstable a bit more control of the game, although MacDonald had another good chance, but shot wide when well placed. In the 70th minute Whitstable equalised, when some good pressing by Freddie Parker forced a mistake by the visitors and Millbank ran through a gap in the defence on to the ball before slipping it past Funnell.

Suddenly Whitstable were looking for a winner and Millbank had a good cross well cut out, then took the ball across the box before going down under a challenge that failed to interest the referee. VCD were still dangerous though and Barrington made room for himself, but his low shot was well saved at the near post by Eason. John Ufuah had an effort blocked and both teams used their final substitutions. As the clock ticked down, an awkward, bouncing cross by Stannard was well held by Funnell and then some sloppy play by Whitstable gifted a late corner to VCD that came to nothing and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

As the rain became ever more persistent, the teams were able to reflect on their performances, but the 270 in attendance had seen an entertaining game on a miserable afternoon. Whitstable now prepare for their annual flight to Guernsey, although their home game on November 9th against Hastings must now be rearranged due to their opponents progressing in the FA Trophy.

Whitstable	Data	VCD
3	Shots on target	7
4	Shots off target	6
1	Shots blocked	1
3	Corners	7
12	Fouls conceded	7
0	Offside	6
0	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, James Brown, Luke Girt, Josh Spencer, Liam Dickson (c) (Leo Mazzone 65), Liam Gillies (Harry Stannard 60), Tijan Jadama, Aaron Millbank, Freddie Parker (Marcus Elliott 82), John Ufuah.
Subs (unused): Tom Bryant, Danny Patterson.
Goal: Aaron Millbank 70
Yellow card: Josh Spencer 25

VCD Athletic
Matt Funnell, Bradley Simms, Raphe Brown, George Monger (Jack Steventon 46), Temi Eweka, Rob Bartley, Alex Gaggin, Dominic Odusanya, Ali Fuseini (Henry Ikeije 76), Charlie MacDonald (c), Kelvin Ogboe (Courtney Barrington 56).
Subs (unused): Ryan Mahal, Dominic Vincent-Edwards.
Goal: Kelvin Ogboe 21

Attendance: 270
Referee: James Simpson
Assistants: Jak Hill & Daniel Friar