Whitstable Town 2 Hartpury University 0 match report: Sell-out Belmont attendance see Oystermen earn FA Vase semi-final first-leg advantage through goals from forward Nathan Jeche and stand-in skipper Finn O’Mara

A sell-out crowd saw Whitstable take a big step towards an FA Vase final at Wembley with a dominant display against Hartpury University on Saturday.

While the tie will only be settled at the Hartpury University Stadium next Sunday, a goal in either half from forward Nathan Jeche and stand-in skipper Finn O’Mara ensured the home leg ended 2-0 to the red-hot Oystermen.

There was a record attendance of 2,905 at the packed-out Belmont watching on as Whitstable created the first chance.

Hartpury keeper Stephen Sarkodie seemingly tipped wide striker Ronald Sithole’s effort inside 40 seconds, although a goal kick was awarded.

Five minutes later, Sarkodie thwarted forward Harvey Smith after Sithole’s long throw before stand-in skipper O’Mara nodded over a Fin Cotton free-kick.

But Jamie Coyle’s dominant Southern Counties East League Premier Division side took a deserved lead against their shell-shocked visitors in the 11th minute.

One-time QPR player Jeche ran onto a hooked ball forward by midfielder Connor Wilkins and fired home to spark raucous scenes with his sixth club goal.

Whitstable take a 2-0 lead to the second leg at Hartpury next Sunday.
Thank you to all 2,905 spectators that were here to watch. pic.twitter.com/El1da31ELQ

Hartpury were then almost gifted a sorely-needed route back into the game by a poor back-pass, with the hosts’ goalkeeper, Dan Colmer, having to be alert to clear ahead of striker Billy Osborn.

At the other end, Whitstable’s Wilkins almost netted an unusual 16th-minute second in front of a record attendance of 2,905.

His deflected shot wrong-footed Sarkodie, who recovered well as the effort by the midfielder eventually found its way to Sarkodie’s left-hand post.

After Jeche and Cotton twice went close,