Sunday, November 9, 2008 22:23
Greenwich Borough 1 Faversham Town 2
By Tony Gray
A late strike from Roy Guiver earned the traveling Lilywhites all three points in this Kent Premier League Fixture played in conditions that were far from ideal. A very heavy pitch, wet conditions and a dimly lit arena at Harrow Meadow ensured that both sides had their work cut out.
The visitors started brightly with Steve O'Brien and Damian Abel both looking dangerous going forward. It was Abel who had the first real chance for Town when, on 25 minutes, he found himself through one on one with Borough Keeper Danny Firkins with Firkins doing enough to distract the Town striker who saw his low shot fly wide of the target.
The Town number 8 also played a part in Town's next scoring opportunity, cutting in from the right Abel's solo run saw him round two defenders before being sent sprawling inside the Borough penalty area on the half-hour mark. Skipper Lee Shearer stepped up to the spot only to see his effort easily saved by Firkins.
Borough went close on 35 minutes, Raphael Akala's shot from distance only inches away from Carl Hodgson's upright.
As half-time beckoned the Lilywhites were rewarded for their efforts as Shearer atoned for his earlier miss to head home from close range into the top right corner leaving Firkins stranded.
After the interval the home side stepped up a gear and looked effective when in possession albeit without converting any of their hard work into goal scoring opportunities with Hodgson never really tested under pressure.
For much of the second period Town seemed content to sit back and take their chances on the break, Abel, O'Brien, Dane Luchford and Dave Soutan all going close.
ON TARGET......Lee Shearer (6) heads home to take the lead
The game should have been wrapped up on 75 minutes when Abel whipped the ball into the area from the left into the path of Luchford whose header flew agonisingly wide.
Luchford and O'Brien made way on 80 minutes in a double substitution replaced by Mike McKenna and Sean Hetterley respectively, with Abel making way for Roy Guiver some five minutes later.
As the game drifted into time added on a goalmouth scramble in the Town six-yard box saw the home side equalise, after several blocked efforts Kevin Sefaah's strike found the back of the net.
From the restart Town were quick to push forward with the ball falling to Guiver just outside the area, Guiver unleashed a shot which Firkins did well to palm onto the crossbar, seemingly destined to fly behind for a goal kick, bizarrely the ball flew upwards from the woodwork before dropping back onto the goal line before spinning into Firkin's goal for Town to retake the lead.
In a week where others have questioned the team spirit and loyalty of the Lilywhites squad the passion and pleasure demonstrated in the goal celebration really said it all, the three points won a testament to hard work and playing as a team.
An entertaining game played in tough conciliations in front of a crowd of only 28 which saw both Shearer and Guiver join Damian Abel as joint leading goal scorer for the club. Defensively Town looked solid with Jamie Sparks and Chris Eather both having a good game at full-back with the experience of Shearer rubbing off on Ashley Brown who has now assumed the role as Shearer's central partner.
More goals may well be on offer as Faversham Town are next in action this coming Saturday when Salters Lane plays host to bottom of the table side Sporting Bengal, kick-off at 15:00.
Town's Star Man: Damian Abel - another hardworking and assured performance from the Town number 8.
Faversham Town: Carl Hodgson (7); Jamie Sparks (7); Chris Eather (7); Tom Hickman (7); Ashley Brown (7); Lee Shearer (c) (7); Shane Hamshare (7); Damian Abel (8); Dane Luchford (7); Dave Soutan (7); Steve O'Brien (7)
Substitutes: Mike McKenna (for Luchford 80 minutes) (7); Sean Hetterley (for O'Brien 80 minutes) (7); Roy Guiver (for Abel 87 minutes) (7); Unused: Rob Hudson.