Whitstable made it through to the Second Round of the FA Vase thanks to a late winner by the returning Ashley Brown on an afternoon of severe gales and heavy showers on the south coast.

With little shelter from the stormy weather in a very exposed ground on the South Downs, football was always going to be difficult for both players and spectators.

Saltdean, playing with the wind, had plenty of the ball in the first half, but Dan Eason only really had to make one good save, beating away a swerving long range shot by Ryan Warwick.

Whitstable had the best two chances, as first Charlie Smith and then Ricky Freeman got through on goal, but both were denied by Rikki Banks.

In the second half, Whitstable had the majority of the attempts on goal, with Smith having one effort disallowed by the referee. Saltdean had several free kicks in threatening positions, but failed to make them count and the 90 minutes ended goalless.

Stuart West was somewhat harshly shown a straight red card for a foul in the first period of extra time and then after Banks had failed to hold a shot by substitute Jack West, Freeman put the ball in the net, but was flagged offside.

There were few opportunities in the latter stages, but on 114 minutes a Josh Burchell free kick was headed past Banks by Brown for the decisive goal.

Image courtesy of Les Biggs