After an incredible 27 game unbeaten run that has seen them reach two cup finals and gain promotion back to the Bostik League, Whitstable finally suffered defeat against the last team to beat them, by the same score 133 days earlier.

Interestingly, neither Sevenoaks nor Whitstable, the top two teams, have managed a league win against Cray Valley this season. In a closely fought encounter, defences were mostly in control during the first half, although Danny Williams caused a few early problems for Cray Valley with his runs and Dan Eason had to be alert to block a shot from Joe N’Guessan at the other end.

Whitstable took the lead after some good play on the right by Stuart West and John Walker, before Williams set up Chris Saunders to score. Whitstable then seemed to switch off for the next few minutes and Kevin Lisbie dragged one good chance wide, before making no mistake shortly afterwards when played in by Ryan Flack as the interval approached.

Flack crashed a shot against the post early in the second half, but there were few other clear chances until Lisbie and Denzel Gayle gave Flack the opportunity to put Cray Valley ahead following a threatening few minutes.

Whitstable piled on some late pressure and were unfortunate when Charlie Smith saw a great strike come back off the woodwork with Andy Walker beaten, but the home side held on.

As it turned out, this result made no difference to the final league positions at the top, with Sevenoaks Town being crowned champions following their win at Erith Town and Whitstable already secure in second place, but it did ensure sixth place for Cray Valley.

Cray Valley PM
Andy Walker, Jeff Allen (Tommy Osborne 65), Matt Parsons (c), Jack White, Cem Tumkaya, Ashley Sains, Denzel Gayle, Josh James, Ryan Flack, Kevin Lisbie, Joe N’Guessan.
Subs (unused): Callum Willock, Sam Bailey, Jordan Sandiford, Simon Glover.
Goals: Kevin Lisbie 42, Ryan Flack 79.
Yellow card: Jeff Allen 58

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, John Walker, Josh Burchell, Stuart West, Rob Gillman, Tom Bryant, Chris Saunders (Charlie Smith 82), James Morrish (c) (Louis Sprosen 73), Ricky Freeman, Danny Williams (Shaun Welford 82), Macauley Murray.
Subs (unused): Teddy Nelson, Owen Fitt.
Goal: Chris Saunders 38
Yellow card: Danny Williams 66

Attendance: 88
Referee: Hossain Tavakkoli
Assistants: Howard Collins & Daniel Wyatt