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Whyteleafe played their first league game for some time after the run of cup matches and in a very open game that was there for the taking, will be disappointed not to have got something from the match. The visitors struggled for players and started with a makeshift back four and with only three substitutes including manager Stuart Massey.
After a lively opening, Whitstable took an eighth minute lead. Richard Harris playing an unfamiliar role in the centre of defence gave Robbie Smith a difficult ball that he lost to Wisker, who in turn sent Quinn clear and he slotted past Rob Tolfrey into the net.
'Leafe were quickly back in the game when Denva McKenzie equalised in the 11th minute. He beat two defenders on the edge of the box then wrongfooted keeper Fewell with a soft shot that trickled in at the far post.
Six minutes later Whyteleafe were in front. Gooding was booked for bringing down Alhajjie Jabbie after a strong run. Adam Broomhead took the resultant free kick scoring with the aid of a deflection that saw the keeper go the wrong way.
Ronnie Green should have put 'Leafe further ahead in the 21st minute, heading wide a Smith cross when unmarked at the far post. A minute later Munday missed an easier chance for the hosts, hitting the post from close range. The visitors could have scored again in the 26th minute, a Nicky Greene cross took a deflection, hit the underside of the bar, then hit the far post before bouncing to safety.
Two minutes later the hosts were level when Gess headed home from a free kick. Tolfrey then made a fine save from a 34th minute Tanner free kick, then another save to deny Gess in the 38th minute. Gess then missed an easy 40th minute chance, shooting tamely at Tolfrey from close range.
The second half turned out to be a lot less lively than the first which could easily have seen both sides scoring four goals. The first good chance didn't come until the 62nd minute when Quinn beat Harris but Tolfrey made a good save. A minute later Cedric Kobongo's shot was just wide of the target.
'Leafe should have taken a 74th minute lead when Ronnie Green, who came more and more into the game as it went on, was brought down on the edge of the box and a penalty was awarded. Sean Rivers, who had just come on, took the responsibility, but keeper Fewell guessed right and saved the kick.
Five minutes later Rivers had another great chance but headed over from a Green free kick.
Whitstable scored the winner in the 80th minute with a scorching free kick from Tanner that went in off the underside of the bar.
Two minutes later a great move down the left between Greene and Paul Scott ended with Scott's cross being fumbled by Fewell but no one was on hand to finish it off. The game erupted moments later when Gess received a straight red for elbowing Smith. Sadly he retaliated and was also shown a straight red card and was so incensed that he chased after Gess and had to be restrained.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Jabbie, Kabongo, Reeve , Broomhead, Harris, Green, Smith, McKenzie (Rivers 69), Scott, Greene.
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