Manager Marcel Nimani was left with mixed emotions after Whitstable’s league match was abandoned on Saturday.

The Oystermen had raced into a 4-1 lead at home to Rusthall in the Southern Counties East Premier Division, despite kick-off being delayed 15 minutes due to traffic issues.

But there was then a lengthy delay due to an injury sustained on Rusthall goalkeeper Stefanos Akras’ right knee. That led to the match being abandoned by the referee.

Already this season in Kent, an FA Cup clash between Deal and Lydd was called off due to an injury to Hoops keeper Henry Newcombe, while Ashford’s Isthmian South East derby at Hythe was abandoned as midfielder Adem Ramadan suffered a serious injury.

Nimani said: “There’s two sides to the game on Saturday.

“The first side is where I’m very proud of my club despite being under testing circumstances. We held the highest standards as hosts.

“The opposition turned up late and - without any hesitation - we delayed the start.

“Then, when the injury occurred in the game, we had every support the club could have in place. We had two individuals who work for the NHS and all the facilities to provide support.

“A chunk of the board and myself stayed until 7pm when the ambulance arrived. The safety measures are there for a serious injury.

“Now, I’m going to be very open and transparent. This was not the sort of injury you abandon a game for.

“Using the knowledge from recent injuries that have occurred in Kent, I told their manager [Jimmy Anderson], who I get on well with, this face to face.

“What sort of culture are we creating if we abandon a game every time there is a serious injury? If we don’t stamp this out, we create a culture where this grows.

“We could have moved the player 20 metres to a safer, warmer, location.

“The 999 operator even informed us the ambulance was nowhere near so, if we could move him to a safer location, that would be the better option. But their physio took a lead role.

“He refused any support from us. He refused everything and kept the keeper still. I believe he was instructed.

“The goalkeeper got injured from a goal kick. There was no collision.”

Nimani offered his best wishes to Akras but revealed the club have contacted the league over the matter. The incident happened in first-half stoppage time before the fixture was abandoned around 5.15pm.

“I wish the young lad the speediest recovery and I hope to see him playing again as soon as possible,” he added.

“There was no question he was injured. I just feel, if we both had the same objectives, the game could have been restarted.

“We have to remember it’s a contact sport.

“We have contacted the league. We’ve put our case forward. We have full faith the authorities will make the right call on this one.”

A brace by Harvey Smith and goals from Tom Mills and Josh Williams had put the Oystermen on course for three points.

“The scoreline speaks for itself,” Nimani noted. “I think we’d played 48 minutes.

“Out of the 48 minutes, the opposition had, maybe, seven.”

Young striker Smith’s double had been his first goals for the club since joining on dual registration from Margate.

Nimani revealed: “We wanted to sign Harvey last year. This year, we managed to get an agreement in place.

“He’s a good lad and I expect he will do well in our system.”

Whitstable will look to move on when they host Lingfield, of the Southern Combination Premier Division, in the FA Vase Second Qualifying Round this Saturday.

Nimani said: “It’s a typical cup game where we don’t know too much about the opposition - other than the footage we have managed to track down.

“We’re analysing now how they play on and off the ball. But we’re at home and, if we apply ourselves correctly, we have got a good chance to progress.”

The winners of the tie will pocket £725.

“There’s not many times in life where you get to play in national cup competitions,” admitted Nimani.

“It’s an exciting competition and we’ll do our best to progress as far as we can.”

Midfielder Ben Cheklit remains Whitstable’s main fitness doubt at present.