Ryman League Division One South
Redhill 2 Whitstable Town 3
Whitstable scored twice in the last ten minutes to snatch a point away from a mistake-ridden Redhill performance and condemn them to a second loss of the season.
Joe Bingham opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a stunning right foot volley from George Cousins' lofted cross on the right only to see Ryan Golding win and convert a soft penalty for Whitstable just 5 minutes later.
Tom Loynes and Ian Pulman put the game beyond the Lobsters in the last 10 minutes, capitalising on errors from Redhill keeper Tom Betts, despite Chris O'Flaherty creating a tense finale.
Redhill looked to have the share of the play in the first 10 minutes and it was no surprise to see them go ahead courtesy of Bingham's sweetly struck volley, which left Whistable shot stopper Luke Watkins rooted to the spot, much to the delight of the home supporters.
But it was short lived as in the 13th minute, Rob Hill clipped the heels of Ryan Golding in the area, and referee Peter Killip pointed to the spot, leaving the Redhill players questioning the decision, even more so when Golding dispatched the spot kick with venom into the roof of Tom Betts' net.
Redhill did have chances to regain the lead before the half-time whistle, only to see Gavin Gordon hit the post with a towering header from yet another Cousins cross, who proved effective down the right, and summer signing Jordon Anderson's wild volley from a corner, leaving the game level going into the break.
Going into the last 45 minutes, Redhill continued to push for a second goal, with Bingham nearly adding to his first half goal with a shot clearing the bar after Tyrone Pink's work and lay-off on the right.
Mike Maher made the decision to introduce winger Chris O'Flaherty 10 minutes into the second half, a move that nearly paid instant dividends as Watkins had to be alert to stop his curling effort just on the hour. But Redhill didn't make it easy for themselves as John Difford almost left himself red-faced as he got his feet mixed up, but redeemed himself with a superb block when Scott Heard looked to pounce on the error. Heard then had another chance as a misplaced pass from Betts left him with an open goal, but his shot from the angle hit the post, much to the relief of the Lobsters number 1.
The home side were then left perplexed at another call from Killip as Anderson was judged to have fouled captain Ian Pulman on the edge of the box, drawing complaints from all home fans, players and management, however Pulman couldn't make the most of the free-kick. And not long afterwards, Redhill had a chance to secure their second win in a week as Tre Mitford, who came on for Gavin Gordon teed up Tyrone Pink, who managed to fluff his lines from all of 7 yards, on what was an 'off colour performance' from Redhill's leading goal scorer this season.
Whitstable made them pay as Loynes looped a long range effort over Betts, a carbon copy of East Grinstead's Dan Turner goal which denied Redhill an opening day win. And Pulman made sure that the Oyster Boys noisy fans went home happy as he spun round Betts after he fumbled an easy ball to finish into an open net. O'Flaherty's superb free kick had the beating of Watkins, yet Whitstable withstood any late charges as they continue their unbeaten run this season.
