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NEWS >>>>>> Fleet Leisure 0 Faversham Town 2 IT was a tale of two defenders as Faversham Town returned to winning ways against Fleet Leisure in on Saturday. James Holder was the star of the show, rounding off his best defensive display of the season with a fabulous 89th-minute free-kick that went in off the underside of the cross bar. But the big centre-half's joy at his fifth goal of the season was in stark contrast to the forlorn figure cut by his close pal Gary Stock. Sweeper Stock, 19, was sent off by referee Steve Kendall after a seemingly innocuous incident involving Fleet forward John Armstrong just before half-time. Controversy flared after Armstrong went down in a heap before rolling over several times while play continued further up the field. Few people saw exactly what happened and ref Kendall appeared to be in the same boat when he ran off to consult a linesman. It later emerged that the man with the flag had not seen the incident either but Kendall went ahead and showed a straight red card. He later revealed that the dismissal was indeed for violent conduct, alleging that Stock kicked Armstrong as the two players tracked back. Stock faced the prospect of a lengthy suspension while watching the second half with his mum and dad in the second-half. But he was adamant that he had done nothing wrong. Stock said: "No one was to blame. We just ran across each other. I can't believe it because I didn't do anything." Kendall's bizarre decision plunged Town into the kind of battle they faced against Milton Athletic the previous week. On that occasion, they wilted under pressure, allowing aggressive opponents to bully them and a 2-0 lead became a 3-2 loss. This time, Town showed genuine strength of character with 6ft 5in Holder a commanding presence alongside a rejuvenated Giacomino Vail in defence. Maybe the absence of skipper Julian Beal with a bad back and sickness was a factor but it was clear that Holder was up for a real battle. The same was also true of Vail who took the captain's armband and produced his best display in a white shirt just when Town needed it most. The Cable boys had one of their quieter games but Rikki kept up his goal a game record with his seventh of the season to go level at the top of the first-team stats with with brother Ross. But Town only started to play as a team after an utterly forgettable first-half, dominated by the long ball. Indeed, there was never going to much pretty football on a day when Fleet Leisure appeared consumed by pumping the ball forward and pressuring the play. They did this very effectively in that first half and Town again looked vulnerable on a couple of occasions, especially when Fleet sent in dangerous crosses. Rikki Cable had a good shot saved by goalkeeper Kirk Mitten but Town only really looked dangerous when they released new signing Bingi Grant down the left. Grant, making his full debut after signing from Old Roan as a centre forward, has pace to burn. And with boss Terry Cordice freeing him of defensive duties, he had acres of space to cause havoc although his team-mates struggled to give him many opportunities. Indeed, trouble loomed at the other end with Holmes doing well to save a Ricki Holmes header. Holder then passed up a glorious chance to score, sending a free header over the top after a cute ball from the soon-to-be departing Stock on 40 minutes. The game exploded into life on 57 minutes and new boy Grant was the inspiration with a good run down the left. The 25-year-old moved into the box and picked out Rikki Cable at the near post who scored with a glancing header. Rikki then had a header fly over before going into the referee's notebook for dissent. Town striker John Goodwin showed his versatility with a defensive role in the second half but it was midfielder Dave Hockley who cleared off the line from Frankie Whitehead's header with 15 minutes to go. Whitehead then saw another effort fly just inches wide as the ten men rode their luck under sustained pressure. Town finally secured the points in the 89th minute with Holder letting fly with a right-foot free-kick from 25 yards that clipped the underside of the bar before finding the net. It was a fitting reward for a much improved display - but you had to feel sorry for his best mate. TOWN'S TOP MAN - James Holder: Relished both the aerial battle and the chance to shine with that late free-kick. Tim Holmes 6, Lee Whitehead 6, Bingi Grant 6, Giacomino Vail 7, James Holder 8, Gary Stock 6, Dave Hockley 7, Stuart Smith 6, Ross Cable 6, John Goodwin 7, Rikki Cable 7. Subs: Mark Smith (for Lee Whitehead 57) 6, Dean Wallington (for Stuart Smith 75) 6, Kris Browning (for Ross Cable 79) 6.
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