Whitstable Town 3-0 Eastbourne United - We are hungry to get back to the national stadium and hungry for more FA Vase silverware, says Whitstable Town coach Taylor Couldry

Whitstable Town 3 – 0 Eastbourne United
Location	The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP
Kickoff	06/12/2025 15:00

WHITSTABLE TOWN  3-0  EASTBOURNE UNITED
The Isuzu FA Vase Third Round
Saturday 6 December 2025
Stephen McCartney reports from Belmont Road

WHITSTABLE TOWN coach Taylor Couldry says his players’ are hungry to get back to Wembley Stadium for more FA Vase silverware after the holders reached the last 32 with some clinical second half finishing.

Anthony Storey’s Sussex coast side have beaten Loxwood (7-1), Halls Athletic (2-0), Sporting Club Thamesmead (4-2) and Epsom & Ewell (1-0) to reach the Third Round for the second time in three years – but they found Jamie Coyle’s side in clinical mood after the interval.

The half-time introduction of holding midfielder Mikey Dalton had the desired affect for Whitstable Town, as British Virgin Islands, International striker, Javaun Splatt, 24, scored his 15^th goal of the season for the ninth-tier club, before substitute striker Nathan Jeche also scored, as did substitute left-winger Jayden Boulton to ease their passage and extend their unbeaten run to seven games.

“I think that our performance warranted everything that we got today,” said Couldry, who watched his side beat Sussex side Infinity 2-1 away in the Second Round to begin their defence of the silverware.

“We performed really well defensively on the whole and I think that in terms of going forward, we had a lot of really good final third entries and opportunities that we could’ve done better with in the first half.

“But in the second half we looked so dangerous and it’s testament to the boys and their quality, they really ramped it up in the second half.

“I think the first half was ok and there’s definitely things that we needed to improve on and second half we showed how dominant we can be.

“Eastbourne were direct, they were mobile, they were physical and I think they imposed themselves really well, away from home, in the first half and it became quite a challenge for us.

“They looked bright around the edge of our box and in wide areas and they were a constant threat in the first half, looking to knock on the door and they made it hard for the ball to settle for us, so we have to give them credit because they made it really tough.

“They outworked and outmuscled us in the first half in midfield especially but I just think second half we turned up the gears a notch more and started to take that rhythm and intensity out of their game and shift the tie towards us.”

Eastbourne United arrived at Belmont Road sitting in 12^th place in the weaker Southern Combination League Premier Division table, having picked up 21 points (six wins, three draws and seven defeats) from their 16 league outings.

Storey’s side started the game on the front foot and created their first opening after only 24 seconds.

Attacking midfielder Charlie Ball drove down the heart of the pitch before playing in lone central striker James Hull, who drilled his right-footed shot past the near-post from 12-yards on the angle.

“They were lively in the final third and I think if we weren’t switched on and alive to the runs in behind and sort of movement from midfield, then it could’ve ended up a lot more of a tighter scoreline,” admitted Couldry, who was sent out by Coyle for post-match media duties.

“They had opportunities where it doesn’t look like a 3-0 game but we have to give our players credit at the back, they were concentrated throughout.”

Whitstable Town were playing at a slow, flat tempo, while Storey’s men were hungry, often winning second balls inside the Whitstable half and James Hull impressed with good hold up play and linking up with the players behind him.

Whitstable Town produced their first goalscoring move with 12:12 on the clock when left-back Jake McIntyre travelled over the half-way line before playing the ball out wide to Bradley Walledge, who cut in past Koby Farrell on the left and delivered a deep cross towards central striker Joe Healy, who cracked a left-footed volley across the keeper and past the far post from 16-yards.

“I think we started in the first 10-15 minutes really bright around the box as well,” added Couldry.

“Could he have possibly looked to have squared it? I think Deano (Grant) was possibly in the box for him as well. He’s chose quite a difficult selection of finish but he’s a youngster who’s really capable and really bright and he wants to do ever so well, so it was unfortunate and that’s the kind of thing we’re on about, about the amount of moments we had early doors.

Couldry revealed the injury situation for the 38-year-old Healy and the 35-year-old Grant.

“So Healy, it was his knee and it just weren’t right after that (tackle in the fifth minute), so we wanted to make sure that we had everyone at full tilt and able to give us the right intensity, so we’ll know more probably tomorrow or the next day about Healy.

“Granty was his back. He seemed to be struggling with it throughout the game and he braved it as hard as he could but it was just giving him too much of an issue, so we needed to make that change to ensure that we could still provide enough intensity what the game needed.”

Whitstable Town missed a glorious chance to take the lead shortly afterwards (14:47) but the chance fell to centre-half William Thomas, following the third phase of Bradley Schafer’s long throw.

McIntyre held the ball up within the right-channel, rolling the ball back to central midfielder Finley Cotton (who lost the midfield battle during the first half) and he whipped in a first-time cross, which was flicked on at the near post by centre-half Finn O’Mara and the unmarked Thomas used his right-foot to volley over the crossbar from 10-yards, lacking composure with only goalkeeper Alex Hobden to beat.

“Well, no listen, he’s the best aerially that we’ve got, in my opinion,” said Couldry.

“I think he was caught in two minds whether to head it or to kick it and he’s at a point where he decided to kick it and it’s gone over.

“But he’ll have to watch it back but possibly if he tried to get his head on it, it’s going in. It was a shame but he’s worked himself into a brilliant position off the back of it.”

Cotton lost the ball to a pressing Charlie Ball inside his defensive third and Ball cracked an emphatic right-footed drive crashing against the underside of the crossbar from 16-yards, as Eastbourne United should have scored with 18 minutes and 45 seconds on the clock.

“As I say, we need to make sure that we’re starting games with 100% concentration and 100% intensity against the ball. They’re just moments that if we’re not starting at full tilt, then that could lead to possible chances and potential goals,” admitted Couldry, as Storey’s side proved there is a weakness in the title-favourites defensive game.

James Hull laid the ball off to left-winger Yannis Drais, who cut in and onto his left-foot and his angled drive was palmed over the crossbar by home goalkeeper Daniel Colmer, as Eastbourne United impressed in attack during the first half only.

Couldry said: “He made a similar save in the last minutes last weekend (in our 2-0 win at) Phoenix, so yes, it’s difficult in a game where it looks like there’s not a lot of control.  You’ve got to stay switched on as our goalie and I think he’s come on leaps and bounds in the last few weeks Dan.

“He’s been there to save things when we need him to and in terms of things he can control and he can come out for and claim. He was terrific today with that but the save was really good and keeps it nil-nil and keeps us well in contention to keep a clean-sheet.”

Couldry agreed that Whitstable Town put in a flat first half performance.

“Yes, I think our front players, we always talk about their responsibility to set the tone. It’s quite difficult when a team’s that direct.  You can’t really press them how you like, so it was important our midfield won the first and second ball battle today and as we touched upon, the first half, it wasn’t quite dominant enough, so yes, that’s probably why it was a little bit flat.

“It just meant that we could’ve get our front players in the game enough because we were not winning enough first or second balls, so yes, that’s what I put it down to in the second half. The addition of Dalton made it a lot more, we were a lot more imposing on the game.”

Reflecting on the half-time interval, Couldry added: “The main thing is that while we weren’t entirely happy with the first-half performance, we still come in at half-time keeping a clean-sheet, creating loads of chances, so that was the message of just continue to stay in the game as we’ve done but we need more dominance in the middle of the park and we need more energy when it comes in to the front to be able to cause mayhem with their back line and that’s exactly what they did.

“We had to give the players a little but of belief, remined them that you’ve got to go to deep, dark places if you want to achieve great things and we want to get back to Wembley Stadium this year, so not that they needed that reminder but it was there for them.

“The fans were out today as well, which was important for us to touch upon at half-time with the boys and made sure that the second half was a real special occasion.”

Coyle pulled off a tactical masterstroke at the interval, bringing on Dalton to sit in front of the back four (replacing the ineffective Walledge) and this closed the valve and prevented Storey’s side to dominate that area in front of Whitstable Town’s back four and Dalton put in a man-of-the-match performance.

“That’s the one area we need to improve on,” admitted Couldry.  We wasn’t winning enough second balls in midfield and I think with Dalton’s experience and knowhow around the middle third, he had a massive impact when he came on.

“Just getting distances right, sensing danger and his second ball winning is one of his biggest strengths for us.

“Dalton’s come back from a (back) injury. We wanted to manage it so we could use him at the right time and we needed him earlier than we thought today but he was outstanding, like you say. He changed the momentum of the game certainly and got us on the front foot.”

Eastbourne United’s holding midfielder Brett Patton’s long ball released six-goal winger Mufaro Huchu, who cut in and played in a low cross towards the near post where James Hull poked his shot past the near-post after only 94 seconds.

However, Whitstable Town opened the scoring, with a well-worked move, with two minutes and 58 seconds on the clock.

O’Mara launched a first-time ball out of defence, Schafer hooked the ball into Splatt, who slipped the ball to Jeche, who had his back to goal and held the ball up inside the D and his reverse pass laid the ball into Splatt’s path and he clinically drilled his first-time right-footed angled drive across the keeper and into the bottom far corner of the goal from 10-yards.

“We know the quality that Splatty possesses and I think they combined really well together in the second half, Jeche, Schafer and Splatty,” said Couldry.

“It’s a great finish past the goalie. He’s ended up in a real good position. If we can get our front players and especially the likes of Splatty in those positions often enough, we’re going to keep scoring and keep firing.”

With Dalton closing the gate in front of Whitstable’s two-centre halves of O’Mara and Thomas, a direct Eastbourne United rarely threatened after the break, with their left-back Samuel Scott often drilling long balls along the artificial turf into the left-channel but James Hull (formerly of Isthmian League South East Division side Hastings United) was often isolated.

Whitstable Town killed the game off by doubling their lead with 17 minutes and 7 seconds on the clock, courtesy of another good move.

Right-back Ricardo Thompson started the move by feeding the ball into the impressive Jeche, who played a one-two with Schafer in and around the box before Jeche drilled his right-footed shot across the diving keeper from 20-yards, the ball nestling into the bottom far (left) corner, underneath Hobden’s outstretched right-glove, just fingertips away from making the save.

“Again, they were creating moments where the crowd were getting up, it was really exciting to watch,” highlighted Couldry.

“It was a great pass from Schafer, really, really good quality pass into Jeche and listen he is a forward who is always on the move, always thinking to take his opportunities early and he’s taken an early shot there and possibly caught the keeper off-guard – but it’s a great finish!”

A clinical Whitstable Town sealed the deal by scoring their third goal with their next attempt, timed at 24 minutes and 43 seconds on the clock.

Splat was some 35-yards from goal and dazzled the crowd with a back-heal that fed Schafer, who played a sublime through ball for Boulton, who went on the outside of Eastbourne United’s right-back Anthony Thomas and the angle seemed tight but he managed to squeeze his left-footed shot across the keeper to find the bottom far corner.

“Jayden’s first touch was brilliant, took the defender out of the game and his second touch probably took him a bit too far away from goal but from that angle, it was a hell of a finish,” said Couldry.

“For a young lad that’s not been quite in the team as much and getting an opportunity on the bench today, I thought he made a real dynamic impact and that goal was just a culmination of that – it was a superb finish!”

Eastbourne United created an opening (28:14) when Drais drilled a first time ball to release Farrell down the right and he cut the ball back to Charlie Ball and Huchu ended up sweeping his shot into the base of the side-netting.

“I think our main thing, I think we possibly could’ve been better with, is just now taking that momentum into more control and taking the sting out of the game,” explained Couldry.

“We didn’t quite to that and that’s probably why that chance happened.

“it was still erratic and one end to the other, so if we’re going to play like that, we need to make sure that we’re concentrating and we’re limiting them chances and of course a good side like them, away from home, their 3-0 down, they were ramping up the tempo trying to chase the game, so they’re always bound to get one or two more (chances).”

But Eastbourne United did much better than their last visit into Kent – suffering a 9-0 humiliation at the hands of Kevin Watson’s Sheppey United in The FA Cup Preliminary Round back in August.

Whitstable Town – who lost the corner count by seven-to-two – dominated the final 10 minutes and knocked on the door for more goals.

Left-back McIntyre whipped in a free-kick from within the right-channel with his left-foot and the ball sailed over Hobden’s right should and bounced off the top of the crossbar (34:49).

Schafer then whipped in a teasing free-kick from the left with his right-foot, the ball bounced inside the corridor of uncertainty and Hobden dived to his left to push the ball around the post after appearing to see the ball at the very last minute after it came through a crowd of players in front of him.

McIntyre swung in the home side’s second corner of the game and Thomas’ header rolled towards the corner flag.  Schafer showed desire to chase a lost cause, prevent the ball going out of play and cut into the box and his right-footed angled drive was beaten away by Hobden (38:25).

“Schafer created enough opportunities for others today and that’s what the real quality he possesses as our number 10 and yes he’ll be disappointed, of course, that he hasn’t scored today but ultimately he’s doing a tremendous job for the team,” said Couldry.

“His running stats have been unbelievable and his assist record is superb this season, so not his day to get on the scoresheet but I’m sure that will come – he’s an unbelievable talent.”

Jeche’s bag of tricks (a back-heal) teed up Schafer, who ran into the box and dinked his right-footed shot just over the crossbar, as the attacking midfielder  was played in and tried to get his name on the scoresheet from 16-yards (43:36).

With The FA Vase sitting proudly in the trophy cabinet – do you know that it costs clubs around £40,000 for a replica of the trophy to be produced – which is beyond the budget of any winning club at this level.

“We actually spoke about how it was a bit of a pipe-dream this time last year and it might be ‘five games to Wembley, it might be four, whatever it is’, but yes we know how much of a real possibility it is, so we’re going to be very keen on Monday looking at the draw to see who we get, doing our due-diligence as we do every season on an opponent, whether they’re local or far away.

“We are hungry to get back to the national stadium and hungry for more silverware, so we want to ensure that we get through to the next round as well and we’re constantly in the hat all the way up to the Final.”

All eyes now turn to the top-of-the-table clash at Larkfield & New Hythe on Tuesday night.

Tony Reid’s side are at the summit of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having picked up 39 points (11 wins, six draws and one defeat) from their 18 games.

The Larks – who beat Whitstable Town 3-2 to win the Kent Senior Trophy for the very first time, last April – have the meanest defence in the division this season.  They are 14 games unbeaten, have conceded only nine league goals and have kept six clean-sheets in a row.

Whitstable Town are in second-place with 38 points (12 wins, two draws and two defeats) from their 16 games, conceding 20 goals.

The rest of the play-off zone consists of Rusthall (34 points from 15 games), Bearsted (32 points from 17 games) and Holmesdale (29 points from 20 games).

Andy Constable's Holmesdale - the only other team in the top 12 to finish their games - have conceeded four goals in a game for the NINTH time this season, after losing 4-3 at home to Hollands & Blair today.

Looking ahead to the midweek trip to New Hythe Lane, Couldry said: “They’ve got an unbelievable goals against record, like you say, only nine, constantly keeping clean-sheets, so it’s going to be a tough place to go and we know it’s a small pitch.

“We’re going to have that chance of winning, we’ve got to take the opportunities that we create. We create many in every game that we play but I’m pretty sure that’s going to be the type of game where we don’t get as many as we usually do, so when the chances come, we’ve got to be ruthless and take them and out of possession, we’ve got to keep performing to our own consistency as well.

“We’ve kept two clean-sheets on the bounce. We want to make that three and we want to ensure that it’s a real, gritty tough away performance where we can come away with three points and sit top-of-the-league with some games-in-hand.

“We respect Larkfield and we respect the threat that they pose and their strengths and we need to make sure that we’re at the top of our game when it comes to creating chances and our quality to finish them off.”

The pressure is on title-favourites Whitstable Town to claim the victory to return to the summit and go on and return to the Isthmian League after a four-year absence from the eighth-tier.

“It’s an interesting one. I t think we like to back ourselves tactically and personnel wise and we are certainly the best we can possibly be and the best in the division but it is mentality, that is the main thing and that’s the challenge that we’re setting ourselves every week as a management team, to be able to get the absolute best out of every single player and keep the group as happy as possible as well,” said Couldry.

“We’ve got amazing depth, amazing talent within the squad. We’ve got to make sure all 16 of them  - when it comes to a matchday – are 100% motivated, optimally aroused and yes, I suppose at the right sort of concentration levels to be able to perform at their absolute best.

“Listen, there are teams that will get an extra five or 10 percent playing against us but the challenges is with our own mentality. If we get that right, there shouldn’t be a game that we lose.”

When asked about the 629 crowd inside a sunny and windy Belmont, Couldry added: “We’re really proud of our fan base and we owe a lot to them and that’s why we make it so important that we excite and that we protect our goal and keep clean-sheets because we want them coming back every week, so they’ve been unbelievable for us the past season and a half and we want to keep the crowds up as much as we can and three-nil wins is exactly how you do that.”

Whitstable Town: Daniel Colmer, Ricardo Thompson, Jake McIntyre, Bradley Walledge (Mikey Dalton 46), Finn O’Mara, William Thomas, Javaun Splatt, Finley Cotton, Joe Healy (Nathan Jeche 20, Thomas Ansell 90)), Dean Grant (Jayden Boulton 51), Bradley Schafer.
Sub: Josh Robson

Goals: Javaun Splatt 48, Nathan Jeche 63, Jayden Boulton 70

Eastbourne United: Alex Hobden, Anthony Thomas, Samuel Scott, Brett Patton, Jordan Ray, Daniel Hull, Yannis Drais, Koby Farrell, James Hull, Charlie Ball (Teddy Loft 90), Mufaro Huchu (Charlie Purvis 90).
Subs: Rhyle Ovenden, Anthony Storey, Josh Thomas

Booked: Daniel Hull 14, Koby Farrell 68, Samuel Scott 79

Attendance: 629
Referee: Mr Richard Joss
Assistants: Mr Adam Miller & Mr Mark Roberts