A comfortable performance from Whitstable Town ensured that they would be able to return to the North Kent Coast with all three points against Folkestone Invicta.

The previous week had been a momentous one for the hosts with Invicta’s chairman Jim Pellatt being able to announce that the club is now officially debt free; however, on the pitch a 3-1 defeat to first placed Burgess Hill Town left them seven points off the top position in the Ryman South.

The Oystermen have different goals as the final months of the season edge closer, they began the day four points off the playoff positions after winning three consecutive matches including two against other Kent teams, scoring ten goals in the process.

Jim and Danny Ward made no changes from their side who won 3-1 at home to Redhill the previous week whilst Neil Cugley made one change from Folkestone’s loss to Burgess Hill, this came in midfield with Michael Everitt taking the place of Callum Wraight.

The game began slowly with neither team being able to bring the ball down well enough on the pitch which became progressively worse throughout the afternoon.

The best chance of the opening ten minutes fell to Jon Pilbeam after Ronnie Dolan clipped a long pass across the penalty area the right sided midfielder cut inside onto his left foot before hitting a shot towards the near post which was tipped wide by Luke Watkins.

Soon Whitstable were able to work for some chances of their own when a counter attack down the right wing ended with a cross towards the back post where Kane Rowland headed just over. Soon after another attack from the right ended with Tom Loynes cutting inside and out before attempting a shot across the goalkeeper which was headed wide by Frankie Chappell, just avoiding an own goal.

Loynes had another opportunity to open the scoring when he met a corner kick at the far post but his contested header hit the side netting. Their pressure continued when, after a powerful run, Jake Mackenzie’s cross fell perfectly for Rowland but the striker’s effort was well kept out by Tom Roberts.

It took 30 minutes before the Oystermen were able to break the deadlock; after winning the ball in midfield Loynes was able to play a long ball into the path of Ian Pulman who, after getting around the goalkeeper, was able to place the ball in from a tight angle to give his side the lead.

It wasn’t long before Folkestone had a chance to equalise, after a long pass from midfield Ronnie Dolan was set free but, as he was approaching Luke Watkins, Luke Doherty slid across Dolan and brilliantly denied the striker an opportunity to shoot meaning Dolan’s side went into half time one goal down.

In the second half, despite the decreasing quality of the pitch, the game opened up, soon the hosts were able to equalise and the game evenly balanced when, after Dolan hit the post from a breakaway Jordan Wright was in the right place convert the rebound.

Invicta’s pressure continued when a cross from the left wing fell at the feet of matt Newman but the midfielder took too long to unleash a shot and his effort was out of time as his attempt was blocked by Nick Treadwell.

Despite this pressure, it was the visitors who took the lead again when Jake Mackenzie took advantage of Folkestone’s high defensive line to receive a pass from midfield and slide a shot past Roberts to score the third goal of the game.

Folkestone looked to find a way back into the game but, knowing time was running out, they were forced into long, hopeful efforts; his nearly worked when, after a corner was headed away Ronnie Dolan hit a volley from around 20 yards out which flew inches wide of the target.

Despite Invicta’s efforts the game was sealed late in the second half when a corner from the left fell to Aaron James on the edge of the area who put his header towards the six yard box which Nick Treadwell was able to flick past the goalkeeper to double the Whitstable’s lead.

As the four minutes of additional time came to an end the hosts were able to get a consolation goal when James Everitt got onto the end of a long ball from midfield before clipping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to slightly his side’s goal difference.

Folkestone’s fifth loss of the season drops them down to fourth place in the Ryman South but there is still a large gap between themselves and Whyteleafe who currently occupy the fifth position; they will now need to prepare for a difficult trip to Merstham next week after their midweek game against Redhill was postponed.

Whitstable remain in seventh but can take their recent form into their next game against Whyteleafe as they hope to continue their winning run when they travel to Church Road with four straight wins.

Folkestone Invicta: Roberts, Vincent, Blanks, M Everitt, Chappell, Newman, Wright, Pilbeam (J Everitt), Draycott, Atkins, Dolan

Subs not used: Fedor, Edge, Fender

Whitstable Town: Watkins, Mackenzie, Wedgeworth, James, Doherty, Treadwell, Heard, Girt, Pulman (Donnelly), Rowland, Loynes (Gray)

Subs not used: Crimmen, Lee, Brooks