A sell-out crowd saw Whitstable take a big step towards an FA Vase final at Wembley with a dominant display against Hartpury University on Saturday.

While the tie will only be settled at the Hartpury University Stadium next Sunday, a goal in either half from forward Nathan Jeche and stand-in skipper Finn O’Mara ensured the home leg finished 2-0 to the red-hot Oystermen.

There was a record attendance of 2,905 at the packed-out Belmont watching on as Whitstable created the first chance.

Hartpury keeper Stephen Sarkodie seemingly tipped wide striker Ronald Sithole’s effort inside 40 seconds, although a goal kick was awarded.

Five minutes later, Sarkodie thwarted forward Harvey Smith after Sithole’s long throw before stand-in skipper O’Mara nodded over a Fin Cotton free-kick.

But Jamie Coyle’s dominant Southern Counties East League Premier Division side took a deserved lead against the shell-shocked visitors in the 11th minute.

One-time QPR player Jeche ran onto a hooked ball forward by midfielder Connor Wilkins and fired home to spark raucous scenes with his sixth club goal.

Hartpury were then almost gifted a sorely-needed route back into the game by a poor back-pass, with the hosts’ goalkeeper, Dan Colmer, having to be alert to clear ahead of striker Billy Osborn.

At the other end, Whitstable’s Wilkins almost netted an unusual 16th-minute second.

His deflected shot wrong-footed Sarkodie, who recovered well as the effort by the midfielder eventually found its way to Sarkodie’s left-hand post.

After Jeche and Cotton twice went close, the away side should have been reduced to 10 players on 19 minutes.

Sarkodie rushed out of his penalty area and looked to have handled a shot by Sithole to many in the ground but home protests were - somehow - turned down by referee Andrew Humphries.

Osborn was undoubtedly Hartpury University’s biggest threat, having his attempted cross well cut out by Colmer midway through the half.

But the Hellenic League Premier Division champions-elect were forced into a first-half change. That saw the long-serving winger Ben Baxter hobble off and be replaced by Harry MacKenzie.

While the Gloucestershire club - who showed little evidence of a team that had been 12 matches unbeaten until recently - had found a foothold in the match, the home team again almost struck through Jeche at the end of the half.

He was denied by Sarkodie as he latched onto Colmer’s big clearance.

The impressive keeper Sarkodie, making the most of his earlier reprieve, produced a 49th-minute fingertip save from young Whitstable midfielder Cotton while the goalkeeper also denied 41-year-old defender Coyle from the resultant corner.

But the away side instantly came close to an equaliser when substitute MacKenzie was just unable to catch up with a left-wing delivery at the far post.

The next home opportunity from another long throw by 20-year-old Sithole was hacked off the line after Coyle and O’Mara had caused havoc.

There was virtually a one-on-one battle between Whitstable livewire Jeche and Sarkodie by this stage. The former wasn’t quite able to keep his feet under pressure by the latter on the hour mark as he attempted to round him.

But midway through the second period, the hosts claimed an invaluable first-leg second goal.

Centre-back O’Mara connected perfectly with a left-footed corner from substitute Robbie Rees in one of his first acts since he had entered the fray for his third goal this term.

With 16 minutes left, midfielder Nathan Jenkins produced Hartpury University’s second shot of the game, only for it to sail over.

Now, Whitstable seemingly sensed the chance to effectively end the entire tie. Smith sent a deflected shot from left-back Dapo Olugbodi’s pass just wide before a header by midfielder Rees was also off target.

Substitute Ashdon Day became the latest home player to be unable to find a way past Sarkodie in the 87th minute.

The home team again threatened through a dangerous Smith cross during injury time, but they had done more than enough to send their unbeaten streak to 17 games in all competitions.

The Oystermen handed a debut to newly-signed utility player Ricardo Thompson, formerly of East Grinstead and Corinthian-Casuals, as they made four changes from last weekend’s 2-1 league comeback victory at Larkfield & New Hythe.

There was also a place on the home substitutes’ bench for 38-year-old former Welling, Maidstone, Margate and Dover midfielder Joe Healy - another recent recruit.

The other Whitstable changes to player-manager Coyle’s starting line-up saw talented young forward Jeche come in, alongside Wilkins and Cotton.

Forward Dean Grant and midfielder Bradley Schafer remained cup-tied while defenders Jake McIntyre and Jerald Aboagye were suspended.

Hartpury University, needing just another two points to win their league, will play title rivals Roman Glass St George in the Marsh Challenge Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday while Whitstable have a fixture-free midweek.

Whitstable Town: Colmer, Thompson, Olugbodi, Dalton, Coyle, O’Mara, Cotton, Wilkins (Rees 68mins), Smith, Sithole (Healy 89mins), Jeche (Day 72mins). Subs not used: Boulton, Thomas.

Hartpury University: Sarkodie, Kent, Robinson, Giles, Roney, Kang, Manning, Jenkins, Osborn (Shyamapant 89mins), Salter, Baxter (MacKenzie 30mins, Machisa 85mins)). Subs not used: Kone, Kovacevic.

Referee: Andrew Humphries.

Attendance: 2,905.