Goals from Ricky Freeman and Rob Gillman were enough for Whitstable Town to see off Erith Town in the Quarter Final of the Kent Reliance Senior Trophy.

Dismissals to Harrison Hulme and Jack Hooper, both for two yellow cards, didn’t help the Dockers’ cause against a bigger and stronger team.

Freeman had the first chance of the match but Adam Molloy did well to block the shot. However, the Oystermen’s number nine did not have too long to wait before putting his team ahead.

Hulme fouled Louis Sprosen in the area and a penalty was awarded. Although the decision was correct, the yellow card that accompanied appeared harsh. Once the fuss had died down, Freeman stepped up and sent Molloy the wrong way.

Osman Proni had a shot for Erith that Dan Eason blocked out before an acrobatic Freeman effort drew another save out of Molloy.

Although already on a yellow card, Hulme dived into a challenge needlessly and caught his man earning himself a second caution.

Stuart West set up another chance for Freeman but Jack Duffy made an excellent block at the cost of a corner.

Once more Freeman had an opportunity to shoot but launched his effort into the car park before West worked his way through but was unable to garner sufficient power to bother Molloy.

Just before the half time interval, Freeman drilled a shot across the face of goal but wide of the far post.

Early in the second period, Freeman tried his luck from 25 yards but Molloy made a brilliant save at the bottom corner.

In a rare Erith raid, they won a corner but Duffy headed over from Sid Warden’s delivery.

Hooper then fouled West in the area as he tried to get onto the end of Freeman’s flick. Again, the award of a spot kick could not be disputed but once more the yellow card seemed harsh. Freeman again took the responsibility but this time Molloy guessed correctly and made a good save.

Rather like Hulme in the first half, Hooper then made a rash challenge that caught his man and he started walking long before the referee brandished his cards.

West put Freeman in again but his shot was saved comfortably by Molloy. That proved to be the last chance for him as he was replaced by Shaun Welford soon after.

Four minutes later, Whitstable scored the second that they needed for insurance. A corner was not cleared properly and Gillman hooked home from close range.

Josh Burchell drew a good save out of Molloy before Welford thought that he had scored only to see his header hit a defender and go wide.

Welford had one last chance but his shot from Burchell’s pass was off target.

 

Erith Town: Molloy, Fitchett, Palfrey, Day, Duffy, Hooper Tobon (Risk 84), Hulme, Charles (Milton 76), Warden, Proni (Bangouri 81).

Subs not used: Scotter, Lovatt.

 

Whitstable Town: Eason, Walker, Burchell, Gillman, Cloke, Bryant, Dolan, Saunders (Fitt 78), Freeman (Welford 71), West, Sproson.

Sub not used: Cass.

 

Erith Town:

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Hulme, Palfrey, Hooper

Red cards: Hulme, Hooper

 

Whitstable Town:

Goalscorers: Freeman pen (10), Gillman (75)

Yellow cards: Freeman

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Jamie Eacott

Assistants: Liam Vitoria and Dan Blades

 

Attendance: 60

 

Man of the Match: Stuart West