Sunday, November 16, 2008 19:08
Faversham Town 10 Sporting Bengal 0
By Tony Gray
It was a case of goals, goals, goals for the Lilywhites as they knocked ten past a Sporting Bengal side still looking to secure their first points of the season.
Despite the final score there was little between the two sides for the first 30 minutes, Damian Abel had a chance on 10 minutes finding himself one on one with Soyful Ali, Abel's shot just wide of the target whilst at the other end the best of the early chances fell to Bengal's Aubin Gomis who picked up a poor clearance from Town keeper Kevin Readings only to see his long range effort beat Readings but smash against the crossbar.
The home side eventually took the lead on 39 minutes through the impressive Abel who received the ball on the left side of the penalty area before striking the ball low past the outstretched Ali.
When Shane Hamshare was brought down inside the box three minutes later the game descended, momentarily, into farce as Town were awarded a penalty kick.
In the absence of Lee Shearer Abel stepped up for the spot kick which was well saved by Ali, the visiting keeper was deemed to have come off his line so referee Scot Fraser ordered the kick to be re-taken only for Ali to make another excellent save.
Third time of asking - same result, well placed spot kick more than matched by the keeper!
With six minutes of time added on Town took advantage adding two before the half-time whistle, on 49 minutes a Bengal defender appeared to handle the ball inside the area although referee Fraser indicated a free-kick outside of the penalty box before consulting with his assistant and deciding on a drop-ball to restart the action.
From the restart the ball fell to Town's Dave Soutan who dispatched a well driven strike into the back of the Bengal net.
Two minutes later and it was 3 - 0 to the Lilywhites, Dane Luchford receiving the ball in space on the left of the penalty area, Luchford having enough time to pick his spot as he fired home past Ali to bring the first half to a close.
The interval failed to break the flow of the game and five minutes into the second period Town extended their lead, Luchford's run to the byline resulting in a well placed cross into the six-yard area. The Bengal defence should have cleared the ball but as two defenders hesitated Steve O'Brien seized the moment and fired home from close range for goal number four.
Goal number 5 came on 55 minutes as Roy Guiver rose to connect with an Abel corner, heading the ball into the top right corner, Man of the Match Hamshare should have made it six shortly after, the Town number 7's well struck shot denied by the acrobatic Ali.
Luchford and O'Brien made way for Sean Hetterley and Mike McKenna on 57 and 60 minutes respectively as the home side continued to push forward with Abel going very close on 61 minutes, a well placed chipped ball going agonisingly wide of the goal.
With the Bengal side in disarray Town looked capable of scoring every time they entered the visitor's half, most of the play being channeled towards Abel who was frustrated by a string of offside decisions - none of which were appealed for by the opposition's defence.
On 70 minutes a through ball from Abel found McKenna in space on the right, McKenna's well delivered cross was met by Hetterley at the near post, his first touch sending the ball inches past the upright.
With 15 minutes remaining manager Justin Luchford introduced Under 18's striker Liam Gould to the Salters Lane crowd making his debut for the first team as he came on to replace Tom Hickman.
With the result firmly beyond doubt the Lilywhites showed no signs of easing off, Abel added his second of the afternoon, rounding the keeper to slot the ball into an empty net on 80 minutes.
Five minutes later and substitute Hetterley added his name to the score sheet as he fired low and hard past Ali from the right hand edge of the area for goal number seven.
A free-kick to the home side was directed into the six-yard area and after some poor defending the ball fell to Hetterley who calmly tapped home at the far post.
Abel completed his hat-trick on 89 minutes as he connected with a cross from Hetterley to net from close range before rounding off the afternoon with his fourth goal seconds before referee Fraser called time.
A crowd of 84 left Salters Lane with smiles on their faces as did Manager Luchford and his team as they notched up their third consecutive victory, a solid and controlled team performance although Tuesday provides the real test.
Town's next fixture sees them travel to Hythe this coming Tuesday to face a Hythe Town side that are currently third in the league.
Town's Star Man: Shane Hamshare - great performance from the hard working midfielder.
Faversham Town: Kevin Readings (7); Jamie Sparks (7); Chris Eather (7); Tom Hickman (7); Ashley Brown (7); Roy Guiver (c) (8); Shane Hamshare (8); Damian Abel (8); Dane Luchford (8); Dave Soutan (8); Steve O'Brien (8)
Substitutes: Sean Hetterley (for Luchford 57 minutes) (8); Mike McKenna (for O'Brien 60 minutes) (7); Liam Gould (for Hickman 75 minutes) (7)
Unused: Carl Hodgson; Ray Turner.