Whitstable’s third league match of the season was played mostly in bright sunshine with Haywards Heath Town’s Hanbury Park Stadium somehow avoiding the rain that was all around the south east. Both teams were in need of points coming into the match following a loss and a draw for Heath and two defeats for the Oystermen, so a much needed 2-0 victory sent the visitors back to Whitstable in high spirits.

New signings Simon Kabamba and George Stannard were both in the matchday squad - Kabamba having a solid debut at right wing back in a tweaked formation for Lloyd Blackman’s team; Stannard was an unused substitute. Tom Mills started at left wing back and Luke Girt dropped back into central defence between the two Ollies, Rowe and Gray.

The first action of note came in the 11th minute when a smashed clearance hit Heath’s Michael Hill in the face from close range and appeared to knock out the midfielder who hit the ground instantly. Quick work from the nearest players put him into the recovery position as the physio raced to reach him. Fortunately, after about five minutes of treatment, Hill was able to sit up and then left the field under his own steam to be replaced by Dan Pearse.

Heath were having the better of possession and territory, creating a few half chances but it was Whitstable who opened the scoring in the 17th minute. A Luke Medley run into the right channel allowed him to cross into the box where Tijan Jadama was just denied. From the resulting Mills corner Ollie Rowe thundered a header past Billy Collings into the back of the net, giving the reds a lead slightly against the run of play. Heath responded with two chances in the next five minutes - first Byron Napper shooting wide of Dan Eason’s right post then a few minutes later the ball was taken round Eason, played across the goal only for a Rowe challenge to deny Nico Cotton what looked a certain equaliser.

Shortly afterwards Ollie Gray sustained a thigh injury which meant he needed to be replaced by James Brown, with Mills slotting into the back three. Heath’s lively forwards continued to cause Whitstable problems but on 37 minutes Brown played a ball behind the Heath defence to Medley whose cross was met at the far post by Jadama, giving Whitstable a somewhat fortunate 2-0 lead. A Medley dribble past two defenders saw his deflected shot hit the side netting, quickly followed by the excellent referee - Callum Waller - bringing the half to a close.

In the second half Whitstable started brightly, retaining possession better and creating more chances. Victor Aiyelabola was introduced for Medley after 55 minutes. Heath’s Tom Summerfield went into the book shortly afterwards following a high challenge. 14 minutes into the half a Leo Mazzone tackle on the edge of Whitstable’s box saw him booked. From the free kick Eason produced a great save, although the referee whistled for a foul in the box anyway. A few minutes later Jadama had a chance following some excellent passing football but he was denied by a great save by Collings. Heath were still creating opportunities to score and somehow a prodded shot from inside the six-yard box by Cotton came back off the inside of the post into a grateful Eason’s arms. This was quickly followed by another Jadama chance at the other end which was foiled by a last ditch sliding tackle by Pearse.

The final quarter of the match saw things settle and Whitstable took control of the game, with little goalmouth action at either end apart from a Girt volley from an Aiyelabola corner which had been headed back by Jadama. Reece Gillies was probably a little unlucky to receive a yellow card for a tackle in the middle of the pitch; Heath’s Pearse less so a minute later.

At the final whistle Whitstable can reflect on a confidence-boosting performance, good game management and an important three points.

Haywards Heath	Data	Whitstable
1	Shots on target	6
6	Shots off target	2
4	Shots blocked	2
3	Corners	4
17	Fouls conceded	13
1	Offside	5
0	Penalties	0

Haywards Heath Town
Billy Collings, Hamish Morrison, Tom Summerfield, Byron Napper (c), Tom Gilbert, Tadley Bromage, Jordan Clark, Michael Wilson (Anh-War Tran-West 72), Samuel Ogunseye (Andrew Dalhouse 57), Michael Hill (Dan Pearse 15), Nico Cotton.
Subs (unused): Kwabena Osei, Reece Batchelor.
Yellow cards: Tom Summerfield 56, Dan Pearse 71.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Simon Kabamba, Tom Mills, Luke Girt, Ollie Rowe (c), Ollie Gray (James Brown 31), Leo Mazzone, Reece Gillies, Aaron Millbank, Tijan Jadama, Luke Medley (Victor Aiyelabola 55).
Subs (unused): Tom Bryant, George Stannard, Muhammed Cham.
Goals: Ollie Rowe 17, Tijan Jadama 37.
Yellow cards: Leo Mazzone 59 Reece Gillies 70, Luke Girt 90+4.

Attendance: 145
Referee: Callum Waller
Assistants: Daniel Jeffery & Chris Britton