Thursday, November 27, 2008 21:15
"I am a very happy man," said Faversham Town FC manager Justin Luchford following his team's
last-gasp victory against Greenwich last Saturday. This performance seemed to galvanise all
that is good within the club this season and leapfrogged Town above Greenwich to fifth in
the League writes Mark Downs.
"Yesterday was probably the best result of the season so far" commented Luchford. He then
went on to say "Because of the week we have had it was important to show a togetherness on
the field and we did that. Although it was so nearly a disaster!"
Six wins from ten league matches means Town are a little way off the pace of the leaders but
they do have some games in hand. Win those and they could be right in the mix.
At 'Fortress Salters Lane', Faversham Town have been excellent but with two wins out of
their last three away from home, the away form has suddenly picked up as well.
"I changed the system slightly as we were away from home and you can't always go on the
attack especially against a side that don't concede many goals" said Luchford. "The defence
did well first half and I don't remember Carl [Hodgson] having to make a save. [Lee] Shearer
missed a penalty which by his high standards was poor. But he made up with it with the goal
before half time."
"We should have been three up at half time but we found a 'keeper in outstanding form. If if
hadn't been for him, it could have been over at half time. We had enough chances in the
second period to kill that game off but we couldn't quite get it. Then disaster struck on 90
minutes when Tom [Hickman] has tried to clear from the area and its hit Ashley [Brown] and
gone into the back of the net.
"But then I saw something that has been missing for a while. Character. Sean [Hetterley]
had been on around fifteen minutes and once again has changed the game. His run and cross
was defended but Tom picked the ball up and crossed to Roy [Guiver] who hit it on the volley
and the 'keeper saved it but couldn't stop it falling into the net. Roy had only been on
five minutes and made the difference. I was really pleased for him personally.
"Damian [Abel] was once again outstanding. Defenders just can't live with him."
With the disappointment of the Norton loss at the tail end of last month a distant memory,
the effects are still all too clear to Luchford who has set the team 'in-house' targets and
that defeat meant they were down from what they had been set. The gaffer commented "Targets
are still down, which is why we need to get points this month. We have three out of three so
far and now we move to next week."
Bottom club Sporting Bengal are the visitors to Salters Lane this coming Saturday for the
only home league match for the first team this month. On paper, the statistics point to a
home victory - Town have the third best current home form, Bengal have the worst away form;
Bengal have only scored three away goals this season and only managed one in their last four
league matches whereas Town have scored sixteen league goals at home (in fact they have
scored in every league game this season), but the manager is cautious.
"I'm not looking forward to next week. On paper we should win the game. The problem is you
never know what team they will bring and they always upset someone in a season, we just have
to make sure its not us. We have to prepare in the same way and we have to be professional
and get the job done.
"We need three points and the lads know that."
With the captain and Roy on target again with a goal a piece, it means that Town now have
three joint top scorers, with the two joining Damian at the top of the pile.
"I've never been worried about goalscorers. We have goals all over the pitch. With everyone
chipping in it makes for a fantastic dressing room.
"Dare I say it, but the changing room is back to its best, the togetherness is there and now
we need to kick on and try and go on a run. It will be tough, but just maybe if we work
together we can get the results we deserve."
For the match on Saturday, there are no real injury worries for Luchford. Damian Able is
struggling with a foot injury but should be fit come Saturday.
Luchford was also quick to point out that the 'community club' needs more that just the
eleven out on the park come 3 o'clock. "A word for the backroom staff as well this week.
Scott [Davenport, goalkeeping coach], Natalie [Bell, physio] and obviously Clive [Walker,
assistant manager] are very important to me and the team. Saturday's result was certainly a
team effort from the players to the staff."
"Finally a well done to Carl and Jamie [Sparks] who once again showed why they are First
Team players.
So, for the only time this month, Saturday will be your only chance to roar the first team
on at the Lane, kick off at 3.00pm as normal. The Reserves are away, traveling down to
Ramsgate whilst the U18s play host to Deal Town on Sunday with kick-off at 11:00.