A winger who began his career at Crystal Palace has made an early impression at Whitstable.

The Oystermen shone in their first warm-up match ahead of the new Southern Counties East Premier Division season as they beat Isthmian North Basildon 5-1 on Saturday.

Ashley Robinson, 33, who started playing football with the Eagles and has since played for the likes of Bromley and Dulwich Hamlet, started for Marcel Nimani’s team as he aims to impress the manager.

Coach Craig Coles said: “Ashley is one of the players we’re looking at.

“I think he came in from the first week of pre-season.

“We wanted to see what he’s about because Marcel had never seen him in a game. He did well.

“He’s on trial, we’re just looking to see what he’s about. You can see, technically, he has played at those levels.

“That’s not even a question, to be fair. We have got another one or two to look at.”

Robinson made six appearances off the bench as one of several promising teenagers to emerge from Crystal Palace’s youth system at the time.

Summer arrival Josh Williams, who came off with an injury late in the first period against Basildon, scored, as did fellow new signing Steadman Callender who converted a penalty.

Two-goal midfielder Josh Oliver and defender Tom Mills also were on the scoresheet.

“Looking at the starting side, the front three were new players,” noted Coles.

“Everyone else was near-enough players we had with us last year.

“Tyler [Anderson] didn’t score a goal but, first half especially, he was one of the most effective players on the pitch. He’s started really well.

“Credit to all three of the boys, they have settled in really well.

“It’s nice to get off the mark and, hopefully, they do that in the main season as well.”

One of few blemishes from a successful first afternoon back at The Belmont in front of a crowd of more than 300 saw midfielder Jeffrey Oredein sent off late on.

Coles said of the incident: “It’s difficult.

“He had the ball and played it to the centre-half. The ball had got to the centre-half and one of their lads kicked out at him. He got up and reacted.

“He shouldn’t have reacted in the way he did but, at the same time, you can understand his reaction.

“Obviously, it’s not ideal but it is what it is.

“It didn’t have a big influence on the game.”

Whitstable are at home to Lewes, managed by Tony Russell, this Saturday and play reigning Southern Counties East Premier Division champions Erith & Belvedere next Tuesday after losing 4-0 at home to Ashford in midweek.

Of Isthmian Premier Lewes, Coles said: “I played against one of his sides last year. They’re very well-organised and play some nice football as well.

“Don’t get me wrong, it will be tough but we have set out pre-season to be difficult.

“You only have to look at some of the sides some sides are building - they’re filling their teams with Step 3 and Step 4 players at Step 5.

“So that will not be unknown to us come the start of the season.”

Draws for the first two rounds of the FA Cup and FA Vase will be released today.

“It will be interesting to see who we get in the Vase and the FA Cup,” said Coles.

“It would be nice if it’s at home so more supporters can come and watch.”