Marcel Nimani wants his Whitstable players to entertain - as well as win matches!

Nimani oversaw a first home success since he took charge in October, with the Oystermen beating rivals Canterbury City 4-2 in the Southern Counties East Premier Division on Tuesday.

City broke the deadlock in the first period but goals by on-loan young Gillingham frontman Ronald Sithole - on his competitive debut - and midfielder Victor Aiyelabola saw the hosts lead at The Belmont at half-time.

The away side levelled through Seb Rowland, only for efforts by winger Harry Gamble and substitute Josh Oliver to prove decisive despite Liam Gillies’ late penalty miss.

Nimani recalled how he hadn’t been totally satisfied with a 2-1 victory at Bearsted earlier this month which helped his troops understand an attacking philosophy Nimani and head coach Craig Coles are trying to instill into them.

The manager reflected: “It was a typical derby, wasn’t it?

“As well as winning, we do want to win in the right way. I remember when we went to Bearsted and we got three points at Bearsted.

• Report: Whitstable 4-2 Canterbury City

“Tactically, it was a relatively comfortable game there, although the statistics may not show it.

"But we came away from that win at Bearsted and said ‘We have got to entertain as well as win’ so - at home - that’s what we wanted to do.

“We wanted to end what’s been a challenging year for the club with a little bit of a high.

“I felt we gave the supporters today a thrill, as well as three points.”

Whitstable certainly didn’t have it all their own way, however, against basement boys Canterbury City. They initially trailed before they re-took the lead after City pegged them back in the second period.

“I’m quite pleased and I’m pleased you noticed they showed character,” said Nimani.

“The reason being - when we first came in here - in the first few games, we’d concede a goal and two or three would follow it.

“The fact we have built good character in the changing room is pleasing and it’s showing the boys have adaptability to improve further and further.”

Having finally earned a first competitive home win, Nimani now wants to make The Belmont more of a fortress.

He said: “It was important on that front, although I have never looked at the statistics and thought ‘Oh, we have not won at home’.

“But it’s important and something we are going to look to build on.”

The seventh-placed Oystermen start 2023 at Punjab United on Monday, January 2, kick-off at 3pm.