Kent County League Premier Division team New Romney were the visitors to the Belmont Ground for this recently arranged pre-season game. Liam Dickson was named the home captain for the day, with Tom Bryant unable to make the morning kick off. The game started quietly, with Whitstable getting into a few promising positions without really testing the New Romney goalkeeper. In fact, the visitors might have taken the lead in the 9th minute from a corner, when some poor marking allowed a free header, but the ball deflected off John Walker by the post and went wide. Whitstable gradually got on top and opened the scoring on 19 minutes from a good right wing cross by Jake Mackenzie that Aaron Millbank headed into the corner of the net. New Romney were still in the game and Billy Sommerville was allowed to get past his marker and try a shot that was well saved by Dan Eason. Millbank had a shot saved by Paul Egan at the other end, but Whitstable doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute. The ball was played in from the left and TJ Jadama twisted and turned to make space for a shot before finding the far corner, giving Egan no chance. On 41 minutes, the home side added a third when Mackenzie delivered a good ball into the near post and it was neatly controlled and finished by Osman Proni. As half time approached, a Millbank shot was deflected behind and from the resulting corner, Dickson was able to force the ball into the net from close range. Whitstable continued to apply pressure to the New Romney goal, but the score remained 4-0 at the break.

Danny Patterson replaced Liam Gillies in the Whitstable midfield at the start of the second half and there was almost an early goal when Proni got his foot to a Marcus Elliott cross, but the ball just cleared the bar. Elliott then had a shot saved by the New Romney goalkeeper before being substituted by Tarik Ibrahim, who nearly made an immediate impact following a strong run and shot that was deflected over the bar. Whitstable did score again on 66 minutes after the ball was initially cleared off the line and eventually came out to the 18 yard line where Luke Girt hit an unstoppable first time shot straight into the top right corner. Millbank was then played through and shot past Egan from the right edge of the area, only to see the ball rebound off the far post. New Romney had one more chance for a consolation goal when Whitstable lost the ball in midfield and Reece Palmer ran through with just Eason to beat, but the goalkeeper got down well to turn his shot away for a corner. There was a late opportunity for Owen Fitt, who had come on for Proni, after he was set up following a driving run through the middle by Girt, but his attempted lob failed to find the net. The final whistle came a few minutes later with Whitstable running out 5-0 winners.

It was a useful work out on a very blustery day and Whitstable now move on to their opening league fixture at home to Sittingbourne, followed by a midweek trip to Hythe Town and a home FA Cup tie against Newhaven.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, John Walker, Luke Girt, Josh Spencer, Liam Dickson (c), Liam Gillies (Danny Patterson 46), TJ Jadama, Aaron Millbank, Marcus Elliott (Tarik Ibrahim 59), Osman Proni (Owen Fitt 79).
Subs (unused): Marcus Evans, Ryan Birch.
Goals: Aaron Millbank 19, TJ Jadama 33, Osman Proni 41, Liam Dickson 44, Luke Girt 66.

New Romney
Paul Egan, Niall Jackson, Dale Harding, Jacob Holden, Wayne Rogers (c), Harry Carr, Warren Smith, Reece Palmer, Billy Sommerville, Josh McCue, Reece Mortimer.
Subs: Luca Corbo, Roy Godden, Charlie Negus, Dan Binder, Lewis Butler, Jamie White.

Attendance: 75
Referee: Piotr Zachweija
Assistants: Kirsty Dowle & Paul Hussey