Player-manager Jamie Coyle was delighted with Whitstable’s performance in their FA Vase semi-final first-leg home win on Saturday - but knows the job is only half done.

A sell-out crowd of 2,905 at The Belmont watched on as goals from teenage forward Nathan Jeche and stand-in skipper Finn O’Mara ensured Whitstable were 2-0 victors against Hellenic League Premier Division champions-elect Hartpury University.

Coyle said: “We’re delighted with the result and delighted with the performance.

“I thought we dominated in every area of the pitch today, taking nothing away from Hartpury. But in midfield, we won the battle in there, the front three caused absolute carnage for 95 minutes for their back four, and I don’t think they had a shot on target.

“But it’s not done. We can’t get carried away, we’re halfway there.

“We have put together a really good performance - and we have got to replicate that next week.”

Such was the level of the Oystermen’s dominant display, which helped extend their unbeaten streak to 17 matches in all competitions, there was no real stand-out performer for them.

Report: Whitstable 2-0 Hartpury University

“That’s what we needed,” noted Coyle. “No team gets to the last four of a national competition without having a lot of strengths.

“We have planned this week. We’ve worked really hard in two training sessions.

“We’ve got a lot of footage of previous games (for Hartpury University) so we had done our homework and we knew what to expect. But I thought it was an outstanding performance from everyone today.

“Collectively, there wasn’t an individual that really stood out and we got the rewards.”

A sixth club goal since he joined on dual registration earlier this month from Isthmian Premier Cray Wanderers for 19-year-old Jeche sent Whitstable on their way before defender O’Mara - wearing the armband with captain Jake McIntyre suspended alongside fellow defender Jerald Aboagye - diverted home a corner by substitute Robbie Rees after the interval.

O’Mara’s centre-half partner, Coyle, 41, said: “I’m not sure what it came off! But they all count.

“I had two cleared off the line, as well, and should have potentially scored. I thought Nathan was a thorn in their side for the whole time he was on the pitch. He got in beyond and was out-muscling their centre-half. For someone his size, that was brilliant.

“I thought he maybe could have got two or three goals. But he’s been like that since he came in.

“The front three caused loads of problems in the final third and we’ll need the same in the second leg.”

While the tie will only be settled in next Sunday’s second leg in Gloucestershire, the Oystermen could have effectively killed the entire tie off during the first leg, had it not been for several saves by goalkeeper Stephen Sarkodie - who should have been sent off in the first period.

Coyle admitted: “I thought he was their best player. That’s a good sign, isn’t it?

“We could have killed the tie off today - but that’s a positive. If we replicate that next Sunday and create the same amount of chances, I can’t see him having the same kind of game as he’s done today.

“Ultimately, we’ll score. But we can’t get too excited.

“To be fair to the boys, they are relaxed, not jumping around, because they know we’ll have to still prepare right this week and give the same level of performance next Sunday to give us a chance to get to Wembley.”

The final-four fixture also saw a club-record attendance turn out in their numbers at The Belmont for a second successive FA Vase match.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Coyle. “I just felt so sorry for the volunteers and the board because, when I turned up, they looked so stressed where they’re not used to it! But this is what you want.

“This has come a little bit earlier than we expected, having taken over in the summer, but to bring this level of success and these fans through the gate, that’s so pleasing for us as a management team and for us as a squad.

“Hopefully, all the ones that are stressed out can enjoy it. I know that, in the quarter-final, the majority of them didn’t even see the game where they were so busy.

“So, it’s for them and I just want to say a massive thank you to the fans.

“They created an unbelievable atmosphere.”

Coyle also discussed the additions of utility player Ricardo Thompson, formerly of Corinthian-Casuals and Three Bridges, and veteran midfielder Joe Healy, who came off the substitutes’ bench late on.

On Thompson, Coyle explained: “He’s not really a full-back.

“He likes playing as a holding midfield or a centre-back, and he’s played out of position today. But I don’t think they got any change out of him whatsoever. I thought he was brilliant.

“Obviously with Joe Healy coming on at the end, just with his decision-making and the quality that he’s got, that helped us sure the game off.

“They’re two massive additions for us with a lot of experience and a lot of quality. We’re in a great place - but we’ve still not achieved anything.

“We have still got quite a lot of work to do between now and the end of the season.”

While Hartpury University will play Roman Glass St George in the Marsh Challenge Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, Coyle’s team will try to make the most of another rare fixture-free midweek.

The manager said: “We’re looking forward to getting back on the training ground on Tuesday and Thursday this week.

“As I’ve said in the press previously, the league have done us wonders in terms of taking our fixtures away for this week and next week, leading up to these games.

“It gives us an opportunity for (another) two more training sessions in preparation for next Sunday.”

AFC Whyteleafe won their FA Vase first leg 3-1 at home against Andover New Street at the weekend, ahead of their second-leg decider in Hampshire next Saturday.