Faversham Town 2 Herne Bay 1

Goals from former Bay player Dave Soutan and Craig Thompson secured three points for the Lilywhites to secure 4th place in the League as the club rounded off the 2008/09 season with victory over local rivals Herne Bay in front of a Salters Lane crowd of 207.

The visitors started the brighter of the two sides taking the lead after 22 minutes courtesy of a move that was started and ended by skipper Luke Harvey who slotted home past Town keeper Carl Hodgson.

Town's leading goal scorer Damian Abel left the field before the restart still nursing a groin injury to be replaced up front by Craig Thompson.

Thompson's aggression and speed altered the dynamics of the game almost immediately as the home side began to edge their way back into the game.

Shane Hamshare's ball into the box on 29 minutes falling nicely for Dane Luchford whose effort was tipped over by Bay keeper Shaun Smith.

Town's efforts were rewarded on 32 minutes when a left sided corner kick was headed back across the goal by Liam Wybraniec for former Bay man Dave Soutan to head home at the near post.

Further chances fell to Thompson and Luchford with the home side now in the ascendancy as the half-time interval approached.

Following the break Town continued to dominate matters and, as the game progressed, only one side looked capable of winning the match and on 51 minutes Thompson fired home from close range after connecting with a Soutan header.

Herne Bay never looked like finding a way back into the game with Bay Manager, surprisingly, reducing their options by replacing leading goal scorer Stuart King on 60 minutes.

Town continued to push forward with Thompson seeing a strike narrowly miss the target whilst Luchford and Dave Botterill both had headed efforts saved by Smith.

Soutan made way for Sean Hetterley on 71 minutes with Chris Oyebanjo replacing Luchford 9 minutes later.

A Rhys Lawson effort on 87 minutes appeared to beat Hodgson only for Town's man of the match Ashley Brown to clear off the goal line.

As referee Fissendon's whistle brought the season to a close the Lilywhite's climbed above the opposition to seal 4th place as the finished with their best league position for 17 years!

Town's Star Man: Ashley Brown - has truly come of age as the season progressed.

Faversham Town: Carl Hodgson (7); Liam Wybraniec (7); Kris Richardson (7); Tom Hickman (7); Ashley Brown (8); Lee Shearer (c) (7); Shane Hamshare (7); Damian Abel (6); Dane Luchford (7); Dave Soutan (8); Dave Botterill (7).

Substitutes: Craig Thompson (8); Sean Hetterley (for Soutan 71 minutes) (7); Chris Oyebanjo (for Luchford 80 minutes) (7); Unused: David Miles; Jamie Sparks