Whitstable's derby double answers questions about life back at Step 4

It has been a fortnight of adjustment for Whitstable Town. FA Vase winners in 2024/25 and champions of the SCEFL Premier last season, Lee Martin's side returned to the Isthmian League South East with a squad reshaped by a wholesale management and playing departure to Margate, and the early results reflected the upheaval. A narrow 1-0 home defeat to Cray Valley PM on 19 September, settled by Chris Dickson's near-post finish, left Whitstable third-bottom despite what their own manager called 'a much improved performance'. Goalkeeper Harrison Chamberlain was the difference for the visitors, twice denying Whitstable at the death.

Three days later, the picture changed. Whitstable travelled to a Faversham Town side sitting third and unbeaten in three, including wins over Horley Town, Punjab United and Herne Bay. Mason Hunter headed the visitors in front inside two minutes, Faversham drew level when Tommie Fagg converted the rebound after his penalty—awarded when Josh Ajayi was fouled by Matty Holness—was saved by Daniel Colmer, then Sempastian Amataj restored Whitstable's lead with a mazy run and finish before half-time. Robbie Rees added a third after the break, and though Harry Hudson pulled one back late on, Faversham's unbeaten home league record and their three-match winning run both ended. It was, by Whitstable's own account, a night when travelling support and performance matched each other.

The squad business behind that turnaround has been considerable. Whitstable Town have brought in midfielder Koby Yeboah, attacking midfielder Mikey Berry, defender Mason Hunter on dual registration from Havant & Waterlooville, forward Kane Rowland for a third spell at the club, and loan signings Tijan Jadama from Ramsgate and Sebastian Amataj from Bromley, while also agreeing a dual registration arrangement with Barking for Liam Boxall and Charlie Thomson. Alex Wall and Perri Iandolo have departed.

For Cray Valley PM, the win at Whitstable was their first three points of the season under Kevin Lisbie, and their momentum stalled in midweek with a frustrating 2-0 defeat on the road at South Park (Reigate).

Elsewhere in the South East, Deal Town continued their own recovery with a 6-1 thrashing of Punjab United, Owen Wilkinson among the scorers, before drawing 2-2 with Ashford United to make it three home wins in their run of five successive fixtures at the Charles Ground. Hastings United remain among the pace-setters, taking twelve points from their opening five league matches before edging Sittingbourne 3-2 away and beating Merstham 3-0 at the Pilot Field, with Max Walsh picking up the man of the match award. Faversham Town's defeat to Whitstable was their first loss of the season and their first at home, checking their strong start at the top.