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NEWS >>>>>> Bromley Green 0 Faversham Town 1 TERRY CORDICE is no Hannibal Smith, but he still loves it when a plan comes together. Faversham Town boss Cordice had a masterplan for his A team in this British Energy Kent County Premier Division clash away to Bromley Green. Throw five across the back, four across midfield and with just one man up front, gift the majority of the play to the opposition. But then, when you get a chance to push forward on the counter, make the most of the opportunity by taking your chances. Town carried out their instructions to the letter on Saturday with Julian Beal's goal clinching three crucial points that keeps alive their title dream. It did not matter that the boys from Ashford enjoyed the lion's share of the play, especially in another ordinary first half. Bromley Green just could not find a way past the massed ranks of defenders led by Cordice at sweeper and with John Goodwin inspired in his man-marking role on the prolific Marcus Hodges. And when skipper Beal's right-footed shot swept past Dan Noden in the 69th minute, Cordice knew his tactics had worked a treat. He said: "I'm delighted because this is a fantastic result for us. A bit like our 1-0 win against Rusthall last week, we worked hard, dug in and got the goal. We defended like our lives depended on it. "We worked hard, worked as a unit and stuck to the gameplan. Yes, this was all planned. We changed the shape because we normally play two up front. "Instead, we played four in midfield with just one up front because we had learned a few lessons from the last time we played them." Cordice was referring to the Floodlit Cup clash between the two sides that saw Bromley Green come from 2-0 down to level before going through after a penalty shoot-out at Salters Lane on 11th December. Town transfer target Marcus Hodges scored two goals that night and Cordice added: "They are a good side and caused us problems last time. "So what we tried to do was snuff out their threat, get the ball up to Kam Singh and push our midfield lads on in support. At the back John Goodwin stayed on Marcus Hodges and Brad Maguire came in as a third centre-half because of their midfield pushing on. "We stuck to our gameplan: Defend, defend, defend and then counter attack - and it paid off. "You can't always play pretty football, like I said last week. You have to make the most of your chances. But having said that, our keeper Tim Holmes has not had a lot to do again. "We're not creating as many chances as we were. But we are still creating two or three and what you have to do is take one of those like we did this week. "I know it's not always the football we want to be playing but sometimes you've got to do it and that's what we did today." Cordice sprang another match-day surprise with the signing of former Whitstable Town, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone United player Scott Price. He said: "Pricey plays for the National Prison Service side which I coach. He's been out of football for a while but wants to play for us so he is a good acquisition. He can play all down the left side and is a naturally left-footed player. He'll do well for us." Cordice is hoping to sign another defender this week and with James Holder making good progress from his hamstring strain, the player boss is looking forward to returning to the dugout. He said: "We'll see how we go. I'll make a decision on whether I play against Lydd later in the week but we do have a few more options now, especially in defence." Kam Singh did well in his lone role up front and should have been rewarded for an afternoon of selfless toil when he was pulled back in the box five minutes into the second half. The referee was having none of it. It was a rare sortie forward for a Town side that offered little attacking threat all afternoon, save for Beal's excellent goal. The impressive Dave Hockley swung in a corner that was cleared out to Gary Stock and his ball gave Beal time and space to rifle a shot across Noden and into the corner. At the other end, Bromley Green hit the bar in the opening seconds and Hodges twice had the ball in the net although the striker must have heard the referee's whistle for offside on both occasions. He had been watched closely all afternoon by the excellent Goodwin who almost undid all his good work in a tense finale when his defensive header flew perilessly close to the Town crossbar. His cry of "Oh no" as the ball left his head provided one of the lighter moments from a workmanlike performance that Cordice will nevertheless recall with great satisfaction. He concluded: "I thought all the lads played well today. Brad Maguire, John Goodwin - I thought Kam Singh was brilliant. He worked hard on his own without much joy against two big lumps who were kicking him all over the place. "Dave Hockley was class but we've come to expect that of him. All the boys did well. It was a fantastic result for us. We really needed this win and you can see how disappointed the Bromley Green lads were." TOWN'S TOP MAN: Dave Hockley - Cool, calm and collected - the heartbeat of the side Tim Holmes 7, Stuart Smith 7, Scott Price 6, Kris Browning 6, John Goodwin 7, Terry Cordice 7, Julian Beal 7, Dave Hockley 8, Kam Singh 6, Bradley Maguire 6, Gary Stock 6. Substitutes: Mark Smith (for Kris Browning, 77 minutes) 6, Gary Roberts (for Singh, 81) 6, Dean Wallington (for Stock, 83) 6.
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