Rocks Review: Whitstable 2 Rocks 5

The only blot on the landscape was injuries to FOUR players, who now have nine days to get fit for the big Boxing Day visit to Nyewood Lane of neighbours and promotion rivals Worthing.

Ben Andrews, who was already facing a knee cartilage op, came off as a precaution after twinge while Terry Dodd was similarly replaced because of worries over a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

Steve Harper came off with a hamstring problem and James Crane was taken to hospital for a check after being forced off wih blurred vision.

But even those worries couldn’t take much gloss off another commanding away performance and a glut of goals to go with it.

And defeats for promotion rivals Dulwich Hamlet, Whitehawk and Maidstone strengthened the Rocks’ position at the top.

After last week’s goalless draw at Walton & Hersham, it took the Rocks just five minutes to take the lead as a perfect cross from Ben Johnson was met by a header from Jason Prior.

In the 13rd minute it was 2-0 as Johnson turned from provider to scorer with a dribble and cut inside which ended with a delightful shot into the top corner.

Dodd made it 3-0 on 24 minutes when he controlled another Johnson cross and shot low into the corner.

But the Rocks suffered a setback five minutes later when they conceded their first goal in more than 11 hours of play, Scott Heard pulling one back for the hosts.

Callum Saunders and Jon Marzetti came off the bench in place of Dodd and Crane in the second half before the Rocks restored their three-goal advantage when Harper robbed an opponent and scored with the help of a deflection.

Dane Luchford netted the Kent side’s second on 65 minutes but within a minute or so, Prior had scored his 25th league goal of the season.

Prior might have made it 6-2 late on and completed a hat-trick but he missed from the penalty spot.

ROCKS: Stoner, Crane, Wollers, Harper, Axten, Andrews, Beck, Wills, Prior, Dodd, Johnson. Subs used: Marzetti, Saunders, Sackman.

ROGER NASH