Whitstable extended their unbeaten run to seventeen games with a routine win over Deal Town at the Belmont Ground.

The wet pitch passed a morning pitch inspection and fortunately any further rain held off until the game had finished. Shaun Welford gave Whitstable an early lead from the penalty spot after Deal goalkeeper James Tonkin had brought down the impressive John Walker.

Welford, who is looking sharper with each game after a long injury lay off, might have scored a couple more, shooting just wide after a good move a few minutes later and then heading a Ricky Freeman cross over the bar in the second half.

Two goals from Louis Sprosen corners eventually made sure of the points, as firstly Rob Gillman and then Stuart West finished from close range.

Deal offered little threat to a defence that have now conceded only 8 goals in 15 home league games, despite a tidy performance in midfield by Andy Miller and a few promising runs from Jack Paxman.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, John Walker, Louis Sprosen, Teddy Nelson, Rob Gillman, Tom Bryant, Chris Saunders (Macauley Murray 73), James Morrish (c) (Charlie Smith 50), Ricky Freeman, Shaun Welford (Danny Williams 59), Stuart West.
Subs (unused): Josh Burchell, Dean Ruddy.
Goals: Shaun Welford (pen) 10, Rob Gillman 53, Stuart West 68.

Deal Town
James Tonkin, Jack Paxman, Harry Alexander, Dean Hill (c), Lee Scott, Alfie Foster (Connor Coyne 62), Steve Butcher, Joe Reeves, Sam Wilson (Euan Sahadow 73), Andy Miller, Ben Chapman (Danny Smith 82).
Sub (unused): John Brayne
Yellow cards: James Tonkin 10, Alfie Foster 30.

Attendance: 170
Referee: Tom Nicholls
Assistants: Jack Mottram & Matt Laing