Sunday, November 23, 2008 23:09
Beckenham Town 1 Faversham Town 3
By Tony Gray
Justin Luchford's Lilywhites winning streak continued at Eden Park Avenue as the Salters Lane outfit recorded their fifth consecutive victory to make it through to the last eight of the Premier Division Cup.
Luchford's Town side went into this second leg separated only by Damian Abel's late strike from the first leg at Salters Lane back in October.
Still on a high from Tuesday night's victory at Hythe Town started brightly with Steve O'Brien and Sean Hetterley both making effective use of the flanks.
Town's first real chance came after 18 minutes with a cross fired in from the right hand side met by the head of Abel whose effort flew just over Becks' keeper David Guy's crossbar.
With the visitors continuing to push forward Sean Hetterley made a fine sole run into the box on 33 minutes beating the defender whose late contact sent Hetterley sprawling in the area.
Sean Hetterley takes aim
Skipper Lee Shearer stepped up and made no mistake as he slammed the ball past Guy to open the scoring and take his personal tally for the season to six.
On 41 minutes the Lilywhites doubled their lead following a well struck shot by Dane Luchford, Guy did well block the effort but was unable to hang on to the ball which spilled back into the path of the incoming Abel who fired home with ease.
After the interval the home side finally decided to make a game of it and for much of the half held the upper hand playing some neat and effective football, Town shot-stopper Kevin Readings pulling off a string of fine saves to deny the Beckenham strike force.
Dave Soutan limped out the game on 66 minutes after taking a knock, Ben Ives coming on in his place.
Manager Luchford made a further two changes on 74 minutes with Readings and Shearer making way for Carl Hodgson and Roy Guiver respectively.
PENALTY.....Hetterley goes down for the spot kick
The home side got a foothold back into the game a minute later as a long ball was floated towards Hodgson's far post, still finding his feet in the match Hodgson hesitated slightly which allowed more than enough time for Durrand Jemmott to net from close range.
Becks' seemed galvanised by the goal and continued to push on although the Town defence remained resolute.
As the clock ticked away the Lilywhites seemed content to hang on to the ball and the 2 goal aggregate lead, they had however saved the best until last as a string of fine passes down the left side resulted in the ball falling to Abel just inside the area, the Town No.8 made no mistake as he fired home for his seventh goal in as many days to seal a 3 - 1 win on the day - 4 - 1 on aggregate.
READY WILLING AND ABEL.....Two goal hero Abel in action
Town now progress to the last eight of the competition where they will face either Deal Town or nest Saturday's opponents and current league leaders Holmesdale with the first leg being played at Salters Lane.
So it's back to league action this coming Saturday as Faversham Town travel across Kent to face the 'Dalers, why not put the Christmas Shopping on hold and come across and give the boys your support.
Town's Star Man: Ashley Brown - grows in stature with every match, forging an impressive partnership with Shearer at the back.
Faversham Town: Kevin Readings (6); Jamie Sparks (6); Kris Richardson (7); Dane Luchford (7); Ashley Brown (8); Lee Shearer (7); Shane Hamshare (6); Damian Abel (7); Steve O'Brien (7); Dave Soutan (6); Sean Hetterley (7)
Substitutes: Ben Ives (for Soutan 66 minutes) (6); Carl Hodgson (for Readings 74 minutes) (6); Roy Guiver (for Shearer 74 minutes) (6). Unused Chris Eather; Chris Oyebanjo.