Sunday, March 1, 2009 22:40
Faversham Town 4 Croydon 1
By Tony Gray
The Lilywhites were granted a sneak preview of their Cup Semi-final opponents in this Bulmers Cider Kent Premier League fixture as Faversham Town met Croydon for the first time this season.
Town welcomed back striker Dane Luchford following his recent suspension whilst leading goal scorer for the Salters lane outfit, Damian Abel, was rested after picking up a knock during the one nil home defeat to Holmesdale in midweek.
Following Tuesday nights poor display the home side started brightly demonstrating more determination and self belief in the opening minutes than they had shown during the entire 90 minutes against Holmesdale, closing down their opponents,challenging for the ball and showing their character.
Both sides seemed up for the fight as they battled for dominance during the early stages.
The Lilywhites broke the deadlock on 32 minutes with Craig Thompson flicking the ball on into the path of Dane Luchford who, along with Tram's defender Ryan Watts, sprinted into the box before dispatching the ball to the left of Tim Roberts in the Croydon goal.
The strike appeared to quash any doubts that lingered from earlier in the week boosting the confidence of the home side in the process.
Although Croydon continued to battle they seldom troubled the Town goal with the Lilywhite's defence turning in a solid performance, skipper Lee Shearer calling the shots with his young full backs, Jamie Sparks and Kris Richardson, always in control while Shearer's central partner Ashley Brown continues to take the plaudits - his performance and stature growing with every game.
With half-time approaching the home side doubled their lead on 41 minutes with Steve O'Brien receiving the ball inside the area courtesy of a throw-in, O'Brien took control of the ball as he turned and fired the ball home for his 12th goal of the season.
Following the interval the Trams appeared to opt for a more physical style of play although this tactic only seemed to instill a sense of indiscipline into the visitors with Town side remaining calm and composed as referee Richard Joss slowly but surely issued a series of yellow cards to the South London side.
A third goal was added on 59 minutes as Town were awarded a penalty after Thompson was brought down inside the area - skipper Shearer stepping up to wrong foot Roberts and guide the ball into the bottom left to give his side a two goal cushion.
The Town strike force duo of Thompson and Luchford were replaced on 70 minutes by Sean Hetterley and Chris Oyebanjo respectively with Dave Soutan coming on for Dave Botterill some seven minutes later.
Croydon manager Tony Beckingham introduced striker Badar Mohammed up front in an effort to get back into the match, Mohammed duly obliging as he clawed a goal back for his side on 86 minutes.
A late burst by the visitors saw Town keeper Readings forced into action, the Town shot-stopper doing well to deny the Croydon attack on several occasions.
As the home crowd of 138 prepared to leave Salters Lane O'Brien rounded off the scoring with, what was, the last kick of the afternoon as he beat off the attentions of Bronek Dabrowa to fire home from 10 yards for his second of the afternoon.
4 - 1 at the final whistle, an entertaining 90 minutes of football that saw both sides battle hard with the Lilywhites good value for money as they bagged three vital points in their on-going push for the title.
These two sides will come face to face again in just under three weeks when they will contest the first leg of the Premier Division Cup semi-final on Wednesday March 18th at the Croydon Arena with the return leg at Salters Lane taking place on the following Tuesday (March 24th - kick-off 19:45)
There's no league action next weekend as the Lilywhites are without a fixture, their next match being away to VCD Athletic on Tuesday March 10th - kick-off 19:45.
Town's Star Man: Lee Shearer - Solid in the air throughout, lead by example.
Faversham Town: Kevin Readings (6); Jamie Sparks (6); Kris Richardson (7); Tom Hickman (7); Ashley Brown (8); Lee Shearer (c) (8); Shane Hamshare (6); Dane Luchford (7); Craig Thompson (6); Dave Botterill (6); Steve O'Brien (7)
Substitutes: Chris Oyebanjo (for Luchford 70 minutes) (6); Sean Hetterley (for Thompson 70 minutes) (6); Dave Soutan (for Botterill 77 minutes) (6); Unused: Carl Hodgson; Damian Abel