It's been a while, but well worth the wait! Whitstable emerged victorious on a heavy pitch after recent postponements, and on balance, the win was deserved. Walton & Hersham probably displayed better technique, passing and composure on the ball, but Whitstable's solid defending masterminded by GS and desire shone through here, especially in the second half.

 

Whitstable started brightly enough and took the game to the visitors, but within the first few minutes it became clear that most of the game was to be spent in the defensive third. The visitors probed the flanks and relied on the occasional ball over the top, but GS swept up wherever the ball went although his clearances left a little to be desired.

Despite some good defending by the back three, the visitors penetrated the defensive line on 33 minutes after their left winger beat Morris for pace and whipped in a pin-point cross that found an unmarked Hersham player in the middle of the area to head home. There was little Fewell could have done about it. It has to be conceded that the goal was coming.

The visitors came close to adding a second five minutes from time only for GS to head the ball off the line and Fewell to make an instinctive double save. The half time whistle couldn't come any sooner even if the hosts had acquitted themselves well particularly in the closing-down department.

Shortly after the re-start, Munday substituted Wisker who had had a pretty poor first half and replaced him with Hitchings. His introduction changed the whole shape of the game. Not only did he close everything down as if his life depended on it, but he wasn't afraid to hold onto the ball even in tight areas. Whether he was responsible for finding Cory's head which led to the penalty or not I cannot now recall, but penalty it was despite Hersham's vociferous and extended protests. If photographic evidence is needed:

 

Quite how the protesting Hersham player remained on the field is anyone's guess, but some of the choice language should have been enough for a red let alone the physical contact that was made with the ref later. In any case, Vahid stepped up and slotted the penalty home with a well-taken kick to level the scores.

Whitstable's second was even better as Dolton dispossessed the Hersham right-back and drilled in a cross that found Vahid who glanced his header past the Hersham keeper. A very well-taken goal as well and for many might be enough to warrant the Oystergong - although for me, Whitstable's success was built on their defence yesterday. And the strings were pulled by GS - how we shall miss him when his suspension kicks in.



Dolton
 
The last ten minutes were hearts in the mouth stuff as Hersham piled forward. But unlike similar situations in the past, Whitstable did not seem to panic and they even managed to run towards the corner-flag at times as well as create the occasional chance. The only worrying thing was that Stubbs, who had come on as a sub, looked knackered within 7 minutes! 
 
That aside, this was a very good result on the back of a very good performance by most of the team.