It was the first match for Whitstable since their narrow defeat at Hastings in early March and it certainly looked like it for the majority of this very warm afternoon. The visitors generally looked the sharper team and eventually ran out 3-1 winners, with all of the goals coming in the second half.

The Belmont was looking neat and tidy with a good playing surface and new goals, but unfortunately empty as no fans are currently allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rusthall were sitting in second place in the SCEFL Division One when last season was abruptly ended and so were denied the chance of promotion back to the Premier Division. Whitstable started with eight of last season’s squad in the team and three others on the bench, including the returning Liam Gillies. There was also an opportunity for some new signings and trialists, with the Under 18 goalkeeper Alex Hardman among the substitutes.

Rusthall started the better and Lorenzo Cuozzo shot narrowly wide in the opening minutes when the Whitstable defence failed to clear a free kick. There was a chance for Whitstable when TJ Jadama was fouled just outside the box, but Aaron Millbank struck the free kick over the bar. James Miles had an effort pushed behind for a corner, Cuozzo had a shot blocked and then Dan Eason’s outstretched leg denied Miles after he had skipped past several defenders as Rusthall continued to threaten. Whitstable did improve as half time approached and some good play by Jadama set up Millbank, but he was unable to test Billy Johnson who had a quiet afternoon in goal for the SCEFL team. Another Millbank free kick was blocked in stoppage time and the score remained 0-0 at the break.

Manager Lloyd Blackman introduced Ollie Gray at right back and Gillies in midfield at the start of the second half and following an early Whitstable corner, Gillies lifted a shot over the bar. Rusthall captain Tommy Lawrence ran on to a loose pass, but failed to keep his shot down. In the 51st minute an attempted clearance from a Whitstable free kick was sliced to Tom Bryant in the box, but his effort went over the top. Both teams continued to make changes and a Rusthall trialist, who had only been on the pitch for a short time, opened the scoring in the 58th minute, just managing to stay onside and running clear following a pass from the left, before rolling the ball past Eason. A long throw by Connor Sanders was headed on by Dean James, forcing the Rusthall goalkeeper to make his first save of the game and touch the ball over the bar.

On 66 minutes however it was 0-2 when another Rusthall substitute Charlie Clover won the ball on the left edge of the box and shot low past Eason. More substitutions were made after the drinks break and then Charles Etumnu had a couple of attempts to get Whitstable back into the game, with one shot going wide and another blocked after he did well to create the opening. Hardman was given his opportunity in goal in place of Eason for the closing minutes before the lively Gillies had two attempts blocked. Clover hit a free kick from 25 yards over the bar, but then Jay Hards pulled a goal back in the 87th minute, taking the ball around the goalkeeper and finding the net after beating the last defender to a long pass from Gillies. There was to be no late equaliser though and in the 92nd and final minute, Stephen Harper collected another misplaced Whitstable pass and shot first time past the diving Hardman into the bottom corner to make it 1-3.

It was a deserved win for Rusthall, who were the better team on the day and perhaps had benefitted from already having played since the long, enforced break. Whitstable will be looking for some improvement when they next play on Tuesday evening. Their opponents will now be Thanet United, as Hawkinge Town pulled out of the game at the weekend.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason (Alex Hardman 82), Trialist 1 (Ollie Gray 46), James Brown, Leo Mazzone (Charles Etumnu 60), Connor Sanders, Tom Bryant (c), Tijan Jadama (Liam Gillies 46), Luke Girt, Aaron Millbank (Dean James 60), Victor Aiyelabola (Jay Hards 60), Trialist 2 (Reece Jobe 71).
Goal: Jay Hards 87
Yellow card: Tom Bryant 31

Rusthall
Billy Johnson, Louis Anderson, Trialist 1, Jack Smith, Ryan Styles, Callum Naessens, Ed Jonas, Tommy Lawrence (c), Danny Lear, James Miles, Lorenzo Cuozzo.
Subs (used): Charlie Clover, Trialist 2, Trialist 3, Connor Knight, Stephen Harper.
Goals: Trialist 2 58, Charlie Clover 66, Stephen Harper 90+2.
Yellow card: Louis Anderson 83

Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Ricky Adams
Assistants: Jak Hill & Chris Clarke