Tuesday, January 20, 2009 21:24
Faversham Town 1 Greenwich Borough 3
By Tony Gray
Faversham Town's title challenge was dented slightly with this performance that saw the Lilywhites concede three goals in the opening 30 minutes against an impressive Greenwich Borough side.
The Salters Lane crowd of 141 were stunned as the visitors were quick out the blocks in this Bulmers Cider Kent Premier League fixture.
With Roy Guiver ruled out after receiving notification of a suspension only hours before kick-off Lee Shearer made the starting eleven despite suffering from the effects of flu.
Borough started the game brightly with a level of desire and commitment that appeared sadly lacking from the home side.
Breaking with ease it was no surprise that the visitors took the lead after 15 minutes with Mark Sissons finding space down the right before cutting inside the full back to drill the ball past Town's Kevin Readings in goal.
Greenwich doubled their lead two minutes later, a needless backpass putting Readings under pressure - his clearance falling to Borough's Danny Hunt who tucked the ball into an empty goal.
Borough continued to push forward and could have added more to their tally had it not been for the efforts of Readings, the Town shot-stopper denying the visitors on at least three occasions.
Town buckled further under the pressure and Sissons added his second of the match on 31 minutes as Borough raced into a three - nil lead.
Things went from bad to worse when Referee Keith Scudder reduced the Lilywhites to 10 men issuing Dane Luchford with a straight red card. Luchford's clumsy tackle possibly warranted a yellow card to everyone except Mr.Scudder.
A welcome half-time break allowed Manager Justin Luchford to reshuffle his pack with Luchford boldly making three changes for the second period, Jamie Sparks made way for Sean Hetterley whilst Town debutants Dave Botterill and Byron Walker came on to replace Dave Soutan and Steve O'Brien respectively.
BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE.....Danny Hunt (10) nets for Borough's second of the afternoon
The tactical changes along with a quiet managerial chat during the break saw a different Town side emerge for the second half with the Lilywhites unrecogniseable from their dismal first half showing.
Botterill and Walker both impressed as Town pinned the visitors back for much of the second period.
Damian Abel reduced the defecit on the hour mark with a powerfull header from the edge of the six-yard box but despite their second half performance it was a case of too little too late for the Lilywhites.
Referee Scudder balanced the sides late on by red carding the Borough number 5, the decision, as with Luchford in the first half, a touch on the harsh side to say the least.
The Lilywhites are next in action when they make the short trip up the M2 to face former Town Coach Kevin Metcalf's Lordswood side this coming Saturday - kick-off at 15:00.
Town's Star Man - Ashley Brown
Faversham Town: Kevin Readings (6); Jamie Sparks (5); Kris Richardson (5); Tom Hickman (6); Ashley Brown (8); Lee Shearer (c) (5); Shane Hamshare (7); Damian Abel (7); Steve O'Brien (5); Dave Soutan (5); Dane Luchford (5)
Substitutes: Sean Hetterley (for Sparks 45 minutes) (6); Dave Botterill (for Soutan 45) (7); Byron Walker (for O'Brien 45) (7); Unused: Carl Hodgson