The coach journey all went well and by 11.40am we were disembarking in Whitstable High Street in search of refreshments.
A breakaway group of 5 of us took in visits to The Smack, a Shepherd & Neame pub just off the High Street, before walking down to the sea wall to visit the Old Neptune, a couple of pints later and we were off back to the High St to visit the Ship Centurion to join another Hamlet regular who had travelled down on the train.
After the Ship and before taking in the next pub I needed to have my ration of seafood so I wandered down the High Street to Wheelers as recommended by a local, 10 minutes and a gallon of jellied eels (it felt like a gallon!) later I was off to the 'new' Wetherspoons the Peter Cushing, named after the great actor as he lived in Whitstable in later life before he's death in 1994. Now I didn't know the great man but I am sure he wouldn't have been too pleased to have visited the establishment that carries he's name and seen the clientele that frequent it, of course my group are excluded from this comment!
By the time we had finished our drinks it was time for the match and off we went to Belmont Road. Now this was my first visit to Whitstable's home so this was ground number 291 for me.
A crowd of 260 was swelled by the 80 + Hamlet fans that had made the trip and what a worthwhile trip it was. Dulwich came flying out of the blocks and after having a perfectly decent goal ruled out for an infringement, a penalty (rather soft if I say so myself) was awarded and the ever reliable Kevin James stepped up to make it 1-0 on 12 mins. The rest of the half was all Dulwich and they were rewarded when a 2nd goal duly arrived on 34 mins when Ishmail Kamara netted. 2-0 at HT then.
Into the 2nd half and it was pretty much a game of 2 halves as Whitstable snubbed out nearly all of Dulwich's good work and then snatched a goal back from a well worked free kick that was headed in at the back post by Dulwich old boy Marc Cumberbatch on 81 mins, after a series of free kicks and corners. A nervy last 10 minutes ensued before the referee blew he's whistle and Dulwich had come away with 3 points. At this time Crawley Down were beating Bognor 3-2 but Bognor equalised at the death to snatch a draw, this still put Dulwich 2 points clear at the top of the table but Bognor had their game in hand to play.
We made our way back along Belmont Rd to the Whitstable Labour Club for a couple of well deserved pints before our coach departed just before 6pm for the journey home.
After being dropped off close to home and via the Chinese for a take away I arrived home at around 7.45pm after a cracking little trip to the seaside.
A midweek trip might be in order to get another ground in, if not it will now wait until Easter Saturday when I shall be in Sicily with the wife and taking in Palermo vs Juventus at the Renzo Barbera.
Til the next time.
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