Whitstable are still struggling to kick start their season after losing at home to Burgess Hill by a single goal. Whitstable struggled to create many chances, but had probably their best opportunities in the opening minutes. The decisive moment, which gave the visitors from Sussex their second 1-0 win in Kent this week, came in the 19th minute when their captain Lewis Taylor scored from the penalty spot after a foul on Lewis Finney.

Burgess Hill lost four of their first five league games, but have steadily improved and were unbeaten in five when they arrived at the Belmont Ground, having narrowly won at Faversham in their last outing. Whitstable were seeking just their second win of a disappointing campaign, having collected just one point from their first six games prior to the appointment of new manager Keith McMahon, whose six games had so far yielded another four. There was a return to Whitstable for Victor Aiyelabola, who started in midfield and another recent signing Alex Gaggin had recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to be named as a substitute. Jack Miles returned at centre back after injury, but Whitstable were still without a regular centre forward, as Harry Goodger was again unavailable, so Ollie Gray played in an unfamiliar role up front. There was a minute’s silence before the game ahead of Remembrance Sunday, whilst Whitstable also paid tribute to former committee member Brian Ball who has sadly passed away. This was the last game in the Whitstable dugout, for the time being, for club stalwart Mark Lane, who was finding the travelling difficult due to work commitments, although he will be joining SCEFL club Hollands and Blair to help former manager Scott Porter in his new role.

Whitstable began promisingly and Gray won possession then found Muhammed Cham, who was unable to make space to shoot, but pulled the ball back for Aiyelabola who shot over the bar. In the 8th minute, Cham crossed for Gus Barnes and he eventually got a looping shot away that appeared to be tipped over by Sam Freeman, although the referee disagreed and awarded a goal kick. Apart from one corner, the Hillians had threatened little in the early stages, but were presented with an excellent opportunity to take the lead when Finney collected a ball into the box before being brought down by a mistimed James Brown challenge. Taylor made no mistake from the spot, sending Dan Eason the wrong way. The unfortunate Miles then had to be replaced by Will Thomas, having suffered a recurrence of his injury. Eason then saved a deflected Taylor strike from just outside the box as the Hillians pressed for a second. They thought they had one when Michael Campbell slid the ball into the net following a short corner routine, but he was offside. Whitstable fought back and Cham at the back post was just unable to turn in a right wing cross, then there were shouts for a penalty when a Jake Mackenzie cross seemed to hit the arm of a defender, but the referee was unconvinced. Danny Walder tried his luck with a long range free kick, but Freeman saved easily. Thomas blocked a shot at the other end, following good approach play by the speedy Max Miller. As half time approached, Barnes collected a pass from Mackenzie, turned and shot over, then when a free kick caused problems a stretching Gray was unable to divert the ball into the net and finally Gray just reached a Barnes cross but could only head it wide.

Whitstable came out for the second half and again started quite well, but rarely threatened to score, although Cham had one effort blocked. In the 61st minute a good run by Miller ended with Eason saving his shot at the near post. When Eason failed to claim a free kick shortly afterwards, the ball dropped invitingly to Miller who lifted it over the bar. Whitstable made two changes, with Gaggin coming on for his debut and he made an immediate impression, running at the defence and it seemed to lift the team who pressed forward, though without testing Freeman. A Walder free kick struck the wall and Josh Spinks was booked for pulling back Barnes as he tried to break clear. The Hillians were content to hold what they had, but still carried a threat and Finney shot wide after a good build up, then Pat Harding had a couple of efforts blocked in quick succession. The referee finally lost patience and booked Freeman for time wasting in the 91st minute before substitute Trey Masikini shot over the top. After Freeman had claimed a Walder corner, the final whistle blew.

Overall, it was another disappointing afternoon for Whitstable who need to improve quickly if they are to start climbing the table. Their next chance is at an improving Hythe Town on Saturday.

Whitstable	Data	Burgess Hill
2	Shots on target	3
6	Shots off target	3
2	Shots blocked	3
2	Corners	4
7	Fouls conceded	8
4	Offside	2
0	Penalties	1

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, James Brown, Danny Walder, Jack Miles (Will Thomas 19), Tom Mills (c), Gus Barnes, Victor Aiyelabola (Alex Gaggin 73), Ollie Gray (George McIlroy 69), Tom Carlton, Muhammed Cham.
Subs (unused): Montrell Deslandes, Luke Illsley.

Burgess Hill Town
Sam Freeman, Reggie Ward, Dan Cadman, Lewis Taylor (c), Nic D’Arienzo, Josh Spinks, Pat Harding, Lewis Finney, Michael Uwezu (Connor Tighe 89), Michael Campbell (Trey Masikini 77), Max Miller.
Subs (unused): Harry Pollard, Harry Docherty, Scott Kirkwood.
Goal: Lewis Taylor 19 (pen)
Yellow cards: Josh Spinks 83, Sam Freeman 90+1.

Attendance: 353
Referee: Joe McKay
Assistants: David Rowland & Benjamin McDonald