Cricket bats were hitting balls in the distance but it was Rusthall who were hit for six when they hosted Whitstable Town in a Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division league match.

Despite having played on Tuesday and Thursday, Jamie Coyle’s Whitstable had plenty of energy and now look nailed on for a play-off place. Should they win on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday they could finish as runners up, however should VCD Athletic win one of their remaining two games it will be they who have home advantage throughout.

In Rusthall’s case, it’s not as straightforward. Victory would have almost guaranteed them a play-off spot however the defeat means that they go into their last two games in the final place, just one point ahead of Punjab United.

Connor Wilkins had the first shot for the visitors from twenty yards that was saved comfortably by Serine Sanneh. Then, at the other end, Jack Kirby shot just wide from a similar distance.

Wilkins headed wide from a deep free kick and the game continued to be end to end when Robbie Bissett threaded a long through ball that was just out of the reach of Kalani Barton. Once again Wilkins was in the thick of it when heading Mikey Dalton’s free kick towards goal but Sanneh claimed it without too much difficulty.

Ten minutes before half time, Whitstable went ahead when a header dropped into the path of Wilkins, and he made no mistake with a firm finish.

Looking for a quick response, Jack Lyons delivered an awkward corner that Whitstable goalkeeper Daniel Colmer could only palm away and it fell to Frankie Griffin who was off balance and unable to turn it home. Another corner, this time taken by Griffin, found its way to Nodirbek Bobomuradov whose volley flew wide.

However, Whitstable went straight up to the other end and scored again in their next attack. Dean Grant turned his defender before pulling it back to Albie O’Mara-Knapp who made no mistake from close range.

As half time approached Wilkins hit a long range shot that Sanneh pushed out before getting up quickly to save brilliantly at the feet of Bradley Schafer who was following up.

While some supporters were finding their vantage points after their half time beverages, Whitstable scored their third. Grant burst down the inside right before slotting it past Sanneh and inside the far post.

Jake McIntyre scored their fourth in the ninth minute of the second half when Whitstable were awarded a free kick just outside the area. Although the defensive wall didn’t look ten yards back, it didn’t worry the Oystermen’s captain when he clipped it over the top but under the bar.

Grant was gifted one of the easiest goals that he will ever score in the sixty-sixth minute when Sanneh was unable to hold onto a long punt forward and the Whitstable striker rolled it in.

O’Mara-Knapp headed wide of the near post before things went from bad to worse for the Rustics when Yassin Fares was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge in midfield. He will now miss their final league match and any play-offs in which they may be involved.

Schafer added a sixth with eight minutes remaining when getting through and slotting past Sanneh.

Colmer showed his determination to keep a clean sheet with a brilliant double save from Louie Clarke and Whitstable came close to adding a seventh in the dying embers when O’Mara-Knapp took advantage of a defensive breakdown of communication but stabbed it just past the post.

Both teams are back in action on Monday, Rusthall in a derby at Tunbridge Wells, while Whitstable will host fourth placed Fisher.

Rusthall: Sanneh, Anderson, Lyons (Hashemi 75), Griffin (Lawrence 75), Blunn, Bissett, Fares, Bobomuradov (Adeyemi 67), Clover (Clarke 71), Kirby (Callender 71), Barton. Sub not used: None.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Griffin (53 foul)

Red card: Fares (74 reckless challenge)

Whitstable Town: Colmer, Thompson, Olugbodi (Thomas 85), Dalton, O’Mara, McIntyre, Day (Smith 67), Schafer (Aboagye 83), Grant, Wilkins (Rees 56), O’Mara-Knapp. Sub not used: Sithole.

Goal scorers: Wilkins (35), O’Mara-Knapp (40), Grant (47), (66), McInyre (54), Schafer (81)

Yellow cards: Dalton (55 foul), Grant (73 foul)

Referee: Mark Fitzpatrick

Assistant Referees: Chris Skilton and Maxim Solover

Attendance: 410