A reshuffled Whitstable team scored three goals without reply as they secured their first victory on the road in style. Luke Illsley finished off a good move on the right to put his team in front before half time. Dan Eason was rarely troubled by a misfiring Hythe and second half goals from Alex Gaggin and Danny Walder ensured the travelling supporters enjoyed their journey home. The margin of victory might have been greater but for home goalkeeper Henry Newcombe and a couple of timely defensive blocks.

Whitstable were badly in need of a lift, having gained just five points from their first thirteen games. Manager Keith McMahon was taking charge of his eighth league game, but at last had more attacking options, with Alex Gaggin fit to start for the first time and new signings Kemo Darboe and Stephen Okoh available. There was also a change of role for Gus Barnes who moved to right back with Jake Mackenzie swapping to the left. Ollie Gray played alongside captain Tom Mills in the centre of defence, with Jack Miles absent through injury. For the second time this month, Whitstable faced opponents whose manager had stepped down shortly before the game, and Nathan Elder and Frannie Collin led Hythe following the resignation of Steve Watt. Their inconsistent form did include good wins at Faversham and Haywards Heath in a run of five straight away games, and this was the first home game for several of the more recent signings. A crowd of 304 attended on a grey, drizzly afternoon, with a good number making the trip from Whitstable.

Charlie Webster tried an early shot that was safely gathered by Eason, then a long ball down the left put Andrew Sesay ahead of the last defender, but he tamely chipped the ball to Eason, as Whitstable began a little tentatively. Victor Aiyelabola was perhaps a little unlucky to be booked for a foul in his own half, before Whitstable almost took the lead when Barnes linked up with Gaggin on the right and crossed for Darboe at the near post and his shot was kept out by Newcombe who just managed to get a hand to the loose ball before Tom Carlton could get a proper connection as he followed in. Aiyelabola then pulled back Darren Oldaker and was given a final warning by referee Aaron Conn, so the Whitstable bench decided to replace him with Illsley, who promptly opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Barnes made a good run down the right and Darboe flicked the ball on to Gaggin who crossed to the edge of the area for the arriving Illsley to shoot past Newcombe. Sesay twice looked as though he might equalise, but was denied the chance to test Eason by great tackles, firstly by Gray and then Barnes. As half time approached, Whitstable might have extended their lead. Darboe sent an acrobatic overhead kick over the bar, Newcombe saved from Carlton at the back post following a Walder corner and Okoh sent a shot wide. Hythe had the final chance of the half, but an Oldaker free kick was easily saved by Eason.
Half time 0-1

Hythe brought on Folkestone loanee Tyler Sterling in place of Alex Brown at the restart, but the Whitstable goal was relatively untroubled. Whitstable did suffer an unfortunate blow when Gray collided with Collin in an aerial challenge and collapsed to the ground before being helped slowly off the field to be replaced by Will Thomas. A trip to hospital subsequently confirmed a dislocated shoulder, but no other major damage, so hopefully he may be able to play again in a few weeks. Whitstable doubled their advantage in the 57th minute when Oldaker was robbed in midfield and Okoh took the ball forward before finding Gaggin in space on the right and his shot beat Newcombe at the near post. Another Gaggin effort was diverted into the path of Darboe whose shot was well saved and from the corner another blocked shot fell to Darboe, but his attempt went just wide. Hythe made more changes, but Whitstable still looked more likely to score again and Tom Wynter got in the way of another Gaggin shot. Hythe’s best chance of the half fell to Bradley Schafer when Whitstable failed to clear properly, but he shot wide. George Crimmen threw himself down to block a Carlton shot, then Newcombe was out quickly to thwart Darboe. A swift break settled the game on 85 minutes when Okoh swept the ball out to Gaggin who pulled it back for Walder to beat Newcombe from 20 yards.

This 3-0 away win should increase confidence for the forthcoming games, as Whitstable carried more attacking threat with Gaggin involved in all three goals and young Gus Barnes impressing at full back. Everyone wishes a speedy recovery for Ollie Gray, who was also having a good game before his injury. Next up though, is the Kent Senior Cup final against Dartford on Wednesday before a trip to Whitehawk in search of more league points.

Hythe	Data	Whitstable
2	Shots on target	9
9	Shots off target	5
4	Shots blocked	3
4	Corners	3
12	Fouls conceded	10
1	Offside	0
0	Penalties	0

Hythe Town
Henry Newcombe, Liam Smith, Charlie Webster (c), Bradley Schafer, Tom Wynter, George Crimmen, Darren Oldaker, Alex Brown (Tyler Sterling 46), Andrew Sesay, Frannie Collin (Kane Phillip 68), Jarred Trespaderne (Tom Walmsley 58).
Subs (unused): Jacob Gilbert, Jordan Sarfo.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Gus Barnes, Jake Mackenzie, Danny Walder, Ollie Gray (Will Thomas 50), Tom Mills (c), Alex Gaggin (James Brown 87), Victor Aiyelabola (Luke Illsley 16), Kemo Darboe, Tom Carlton, Stephen Okoh.
Subs (unused): Muhammed Cham, Harry Goodger.
Goals: Luke Illsley 18, Alex Gaggin 57, Danny Walder 85
Yellow card: Victor Aiyelabola 11

Attendance: 304
Referee: Aaron Conn
Assistants: Wayne Horsfall & Piotr Zachwieja