VCD completed a quick double over Whitstable, having already won 4-1 in a rearranged game at the Belmont in late September. This time, a goal in each half by former Whitstable striker Marcus Elliott was enough to ensure that VCD moved up to second in the table. Whitstable had a number of chances, particularly in the last 30 minutes after conceding the second goal, but despite hitting the post and bar, it was not going to be their day.

After winning their first four league games, VCD were keen to get their season back on track, having lost their last three, including an FA Trophy defeat against Herne Bay. Charles Etumnu, who recently left Whitstable to join VCD, made his debut for them in midfield. Whitstable arrived following two promising draws against East Grinstead and Cray Valley and Luke Medley returned in place of Jay Hards after missing the previous game. The heavy rain finally stopped about an hour before kick-off and the pitch was fine although Whitstable played the first half against a strong and gusty wind.

The game took a while to get going and the home team had the first chance in the 11th minute when a free kick by Ashley Probets, on his 200th VCD appearance, was headed well over the top by Lea Dawson. A promising Whitstable build up down the left almost led to a goal when a cross by Aaron Millbank was volleyed towards goal by Tijan Jadama, but goalkeeper Nick Blue made the save. A quickly taken Whitstable free kick sent Medley clear on the left, but after getting himself into a shooting position he lifted the ball over the bar. Anthony Adesite tried a shot from 20 yards that was blocked. VCD were conceding a number of free kicks and Etumnu was shown a yellow card in the 31st minute after one foul too many. Malachi Hudson then saw his effort well closed down by James Brown.

VCD opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Mili Hysi struck the ball towards goal from the edge of the box and Elliott diverted it past Eason from close range as Whitstable failed to cut it out. A few minutes later, another cross by Probets found the head of Hudson, but he directed the ball straight into the grateful hands of Dan Eason. Another late challenge by Etumnu led to a last warning from referee Jamie Pope and the home bench had seen enough and immediately substituted him. Ryan Flack was then the victim of a dangerous challenge by Adesite, who was fortunate only to receive a yellow card while the Whitstable player was treated on the pitch for several minutes before leaving on a stretcher with Jay Hards coming on to replace him. When play restarted, the free kick taken by Tom Mills was tipped over the bar by Nick Blue. The half time whistle blew after six added minutes with VCD leading 1-0.

The second half began quietly until VCD won a corner in the 59th minute that led to another which was headed out as far as Hudson who shot over the top. Whitstable almost got Medley through at the other end but Blue was quickly out to clear. Medley did have the ball in the net just afterwards when an Aaron Millbank header found him in the box, but he was flagged offside. VCD doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute when Chris Edwards was given too much space on the right and his cross was met by Hudson, but Simon Kabamba did really well to divert his shot for a corner, which Whitstable failed to clear and the ball was fired in by Elliott from close range. Hudson then shot wide after a threatening run, but Whitstable were to have the better of the remaining time without managing to find a way through the home defence.

Liam Gillies and Jadama set up Millbank whose shot was saved and cleared, then a good Kabamba cross reached Medley whose shot was blocked. In the 68th minute, Millbank whipped the ball in from the right and Kiki Oshilaja deflected the ball against his own post and behind for a corner. A long ball by Jack Barry released Hudson, but his shot from a tight angle was diverted wide. Millbank then shot across the goal and past the far post after receiving the ball from a throw in before a Medley effort rolled gently to Blue after striking a defender. Whitstable came closest to scoring in the 83rd minute after a move down the right. Reece Gillies passed to Hards whose shot from 22 yards beat Blue, hit the bar and rebounded to Millbank whose shot was pushed away by the goalkeeper as far as Liam Gillies and James Frey just managed to divert his attempt past the far post. Whitstable continued to press and Jadama was felled just outside the box by Barry giving Mills the chance to try another free kick, but Blue got down to save. Kabamba, Jadama and Hards all had unsuccessful late efforts as did Hudson for VCD who shot over after a quick break. There were to be no further goals though and the points went to the home team.

Whitstable now have a three week break, with scheduled games against Guernsey and Hastings both being off, although it may well turn out to be longer with the introduction of new Covid-19 restrictions from Thursday.

VCD	Data	Whitstable
4	Shots on target	6
5	Shots off target	6
4	Shots blocked	5
7	Corners	5
21	Fouls conceded	6
1	Offside	2
0	Penalties	0

VCD Athletic
Nick Blue, Chris Edwards (James Frey 73), Ashley Probets, Jack Barry, Kiki Oshilaja, Charles Etumnu (Luke Griffiths 42), Lea Dawson (c), Mili Hysi (Geof Okonkwo 84), Malachi Hudson, Marcus Elliott, Anthony Adesite.
Subs (unused): Ayman El-Mogharbel, Paul Vines.
Goals: Marcus Elliott 32, 62.
Yellow cards: Charles Etumnu 31, Anthony Adesite 44.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Simon Kabamba, Tom Mills, Luke Girt (c), Jack Miles, James Brown, Ryan Flack (Jay Hards 45+2), Tijan Jadama, Aaron Millbank, Liam Gillies, Luke Medley (Reece Gillies 80).
Subs (unused): Will Thomas, Tom Bryant, Leo Mazzone.

Attendance: 126
Referee: Jamie Pope
Assistants: Scott Hamilton & Lanray Alapafujah