Folkestone came away from their game against local rivals Whitstable with a deserved win, courtesy of a second half Phil Stevenson header.

The seasiders came into the game in form, having only lost one league game since the start of September and they started well, straight from kick- off Stevenson found space on the right wing. He was given enough time to cross but the ball was headed out for a corner.

The Whitstable defence was feeble for the duration of the first half, and this led to many chances for the home team, it wasn’t long until they got another chance but Michael Yianni powered his long shot wide.

Going forward Whitstable weren’t looking threatening either, and their striker’s frustration was obvious as the midfielders were unable to make the final pass count. This was no problem for Folkestone as they were able to put long balls into the path of their promising young striker Johan Ter Horst, whose pace was leaving the oystermen’s defence behind him on numerous occasions.

Luke Watkins in the Whitstable goal also had an unconvincing game. He seemed disorientated during some corners, and even dropped a cross onto Yianni, but his defence was able to hurry the ball away.

Ter Horst was continuing to torment the visiting defenders, and he was given another opportunity when he won the ball back on the left wing, he was given space to cut inside and shoot, but his curling shot across the goalkeeper went just wide.

There was a moment of panic for the home fans when Frankie Chappell was temporarily taken off the pitch to get treated for a head injury he sustained.

The best chance Folkestone had in the first half came through Ter Horst, another pass through found the teenager through on goal, but a superb sliding tackle from Whitstable’s Laurence Harvey. The defender was able to hook the ball away as Ter Horst was about to shoot.

Ter Horst continued to cause Whitstable problems as he lured the goalkeeper away from his goal line, before finding the ensuing Matt Newman whose chipped effort went wide.

Whitstable were lucky to go in at half time without conceding Nicky Southall needed to get something out of his players, in contrast, Folkestone went in feeling as though they should have taken some of their chances and were disappointed at finishing the half without scoring.

Despite Folkestone having the early chances in the second half, they needed to settle for unsuccessful long shots from Yianni and Michael Everitt.

Despite this, Folkestone did finally get the goal they desperately wanted Simon Austin was able to run down the left wing and cut inside, his cross towards the near post found the head of winger Phil Stevenson to give the seasiders the lead.

After this, the game slowed down to almost a complete stop. In the final moments Whitstable had a chance to equalize, but Tim Roberts’ miraculous double save made sure that Folkestone were able to come away with all three points.

Attendance: 278

Folkestone: Roberts, Vincent, Blanks, Friend, Chappell, Newman, Austin (Luchford), Stevenson, Ter Horst, Yianni (Elliott), Everitt

Subs not used: Edge, Tamang, Hayward

Whitstable: Watkins, Wells (Smith), Maguire (Webb), Hafner, Harvey, Higgins, Heard, Morrish, Thompson, Baverstock (Simon), Hooper

Subs not used: Cobb, Byott