Derby Day at Salters Lane promised so much between two of Ryman One South top sides – and just for a change it didn’t disappoint.

Faversham Town and Whitstable Town served up a fascinating battle which saw the Oystermen in the end run out comfortable winners thanks to the predatory instincts of Ian Pulman, who twice in the second half took advantage of poor defending to keep Whitstable’s amazing charge up the table.

Faversham had the best of the early exchanges and had the first chance after only one minute when Wayne Wilson took a free kick from 25 yards. His attempt was heading for the corner of the net before Luke Watkins pushed the ball wide.

Their second effort came on 13 minutes when a Jamie Maxted cross found ex Whitstable midfielder Dean Grant who headed over. Faversham continued to create the best chances as Josh Stanford shot from the left after 24 minutes but the ball looped over the cross bar.

Just before the break Whitstable had a free kick from the left. Peter Wedgeworth looped the kick high and it took Faversham keeper Rob French to tip the ball over the bar. One more chance for the hosts in injury time as Charley Robertson shot through a crowd of players only for Watkins to save. Faversham had just about edged the half as both teams went in goalless.

Whitstable started the second half with renewed energy and were in front within a minute of the restart when a Wedgewoth cross pin pointed Pulman who slammed the ball home.

Watkins had to be on his guard to save another Wilson free kick after 54 minutes and Faversham were level within 60 seconds as Maxted got onto a ball from Matt Bourne and fired home. On 57 minutes Faversham could have taken the lead but Maxted’s shot went straight at Watkins.

With 19 minutes to go the hosts were reduced to ten men as Grant was sent off for a second bookable offence. The Faversham man’s first card ten minutes earlier had caused much debate. As he chased a through ball into the area, there was a coming together with Watkins and as Grant went down, referee Jenkins issued the Faversham man with a yellow card, when the majority of the near 500 were expecting a spot kick to be awarded. That was certainly the view of Faversham boss Ray Turner, who was himself then lectured by the referee for his protests.

Whitstable started to take advantage of the ten men and Nick Treadwell had a header cleared off the line by Wilson after 75 minutes.

However the visitors were not to be denied as on 81 minutes the ball came out to Scott Heard who slammed the ball home to give Whitstable the lead. Two minutes later Whitstable sealed the win when Pulman got to ball quicker than French and slotted the ball home.

With four minutes to go Whitstable’s substitute Ollie Lee saw red for a reckless challenge and in the melee that followed Faversham’s Dave Botterill also saw red. One more Wilson free kick was pushed wide by Watkins and Whitstable held on for a deserved win.

With other results falling for Whitstable, they have moved up to sixth in touching distance of the play offs. Who is to say that is not possible with the rich vein of form they are in at present. That said, they still find the men from the Belmont with 14 games left are still some 20 points behind Faversham who are currently themselves just three points behind leaders Burgess Hill Town, albeit having played four games more than the Sussex side.

FAVERSHAM: French, Sherlock (Oliver 86), Maxted, Wilson, Bourne, Brown, Robertson (Monger 77), Botterill, Harris (Tenyue 90), Grant, Stamford

WHITSTABLE: Watkins, Mackenzie (Gray 46 mins), Wedgeworth, James, Doherty, Treadwell (Lee 76 mins), Heard, Girt, Pulman, Rowland, Loynes (Coyne 61mins)

Referee – Mr Jenkins

Pictures supplied by Les Biggs.