The team is going through a transformation of personnel: new signing Lloyd Blackman partnered Pulman up front; Gooding played on the right hand side of midfield, and put in a good shift with Yianni on the opposite flank; Sherman captained the side playing slightly deeper than Wisker and in front of loan signing Groombridge and new signing TJ Monkur in centre of defence; Morris played at right back and Cornhill at left back and Fewell was back between the sticks despite Smith's man of the match performance against Sittingbourne in mid-week.

There has been some grumbling about the flurry of recent signings on the forum, but in my view, the signings are not only a statement of intent, but also much needed given recent results (although to be fair, some of the results do not reflect the way Whitstable have played of late). 

Whitstable started the brightest and created a hat-full of chances with the best attacking movement coming down the right hand side (perhaps not that surprising given that both players on the left were right-footed). Pulman and Blackman seemed to have developed a pretty instantaneous understanding, and they constantly swapped positions. Pulman earned himself an early penalty within the first quarter of an hour and converted it himself with a well-taken spot kick into the top right hand corner, well beyond the keeper's reach. 

At the other end, Kevin Fewell made a couple of fantastic saves tipping the ball over the bar and around the post when called upon. The defence also looked very solid on both sides of the pitch, but actually improved when Douglas replaced Morris (who suffered what looked like a hamstring injury). 

At half time, the feeling was that a goal would not be enough; and that feeling was confirmed when Walton & Hersham clawed one back following a lucky (and sloppy) goal after a cross eluded everyone including the Whitstable keeper. And after the goal, it did not look like Whitstable would re-take the lead as Walton & Hersham took control of the game. This pattern has been repeating itself of late, and is an aspect of the game that needs ironing out.

Vahid replaced Blackman and Callander (returning to the club for a second spell) also came on towards the end of the game. But despite playing with three attackers, Whitstable didn't have enough in the tank to secure all three points. But we were unlucky here. A second goal probably would have killed off the game because Walton & Hersham initially played as if they did not know what had hit them; but after the second goal failed to materialise, the Swans sensed that they could get back into the game, and they duly did. 

Blackman picked up the bottle for the supporter's man of the match - a nice debut. And he's got goals in him, so this signing looks inspired. It will also provide much needed competition up front, particularly with the addition of Callender. I think it will work wonders for Vahid who looked inspired by the need to prove himself (despite recent good performances). There are some interesting attacking options now, but the midfield needs to start picking up some goals as there is an over-reliance on the front two.

Onwards and upwards. You Reds!