Whitstable ran out comfortable 5-1 winners on Saturday afternoon away against fellow Kent side Sittingbourne.

Goals from Ashley Baverstock who scored twice , Craig Thompson and substitute Charlie Smith with a double in the last ten minutes gave Whitstable a handsome 5-0 lead before Sittingbourne forward Ryan Golding scored a consolation goal for the home side in the dying minutes.

The gulf in class on the day was evident from as early as the 10^th minute when the visitors took the lead, centre back John guest diagonal ball from the half way line was left by the home side defence, allowing James Morrish to head towards goal, his header was saved but the rebound fell to Ashley Baverstock who took a touch before placing the ball in the corner of the net.

Whitstable were on top throughout without creating any clear cut chances although Baverstock again went close with a swerving dipping effort from fully 30 yards which bought a brilliant flying save to his left from the home keeper Adam Molloy.

There wasn’t any more action of note until the second half when Whitstable added to their lead. Craig Thompson bought down a long ball before flicking the ball over centre back Nick Davis head and firing into the bottom left corner.

Whitstable made it 3-0 soon after when Adam Hooper broke the offside and squared for Baverstock to tap in his 2^nd of the game into the empty net.

Sittingbourne were clearly tiring and chances for Whitstable were coming thick and fast, Baverstock missing two great opportunities to grab himself a hat trick.

Sittingbourne threatened briefly when substitute Tom Loynes fought his way to the byline before crossing low across the area, causing away keeper Luke Watkins to dive at the feet of Ryan Golding.

Whitstable’s fourth goal came when substitute Charlie Smith raced onto a long ball from defence and rounded the keeper and one minute after the restart, Smith scored his second with a carbon copy of his first.

Sittingbourne scored a consolation with 5 minutes left when Loynes played in Golding who drilled into the corner from the right hand side of the box.

The final whistle sounded and the home side sorry display was over and Whitstable sailed on into the next round.

 

Sittingbourne: Molloy, Brunt, John, Davis, Hayes, Dunsdon (Loynes 57), Taylor, Girt, Golding, Treadwell (Brown 45), Akhazzen (Dukali 61).

Whitstable: Watkins, Kane, Mcguire, Hafner, Harvey, Guest(Wells 45), Heard, Morrish, Thompson(Smith 66), Baverstock(Cobb 75), Hooper.

Attendance: 212