Untitled Document

NEWS >>>>>>

___________________________________________________________________________________________

A SENSATIONAL volley from Jason Mills sent Faversham Town third in the Kent League Premier Division on Monday.

Left wing-back Mills let fly from all of 25 yards with his weaker right foot to seal a well-deserved victory for the Lilywhites who dominated from start to finish.

Wayne "Junior" Farrell was the provider with a great run and cross down the right flank and Mills teed up the ball with his first touch before slamming an unstoppable shot past Gavin Hopper in the Lordswood goal.

The scorching 57th-minute strike was worth the admission fee alone on a day when new-look Town produced their best performance of the season so far.

Boss Terry Cordice said: "It was a brilliant goal. We were right behind him when he hit it and had a great view. It was in all the way but that's what Shoesey can give us.

"He scored some very important goals for us last season and he's done the business for us again today. It was a great finish.

"That was our best display this season without a shadow of a doubt. We were solid at the back with Gary Stock outstanding at sweeper and we never let them play in midfield where all the boys did well.

"I thought Andy Martin and John Goodwin worked very hard for us up front and the lads who came on did well too so I have to be pleased. We've taken six points from six over the Bank Holiday weekend - you've got to be happy with that."

Town's 2-1 victory over Greenwich Borough on Saturday came despite a patchy performance and Cordice later told his players to shape up or risk being dropped.

They heeded that warning against Lordswood with excellent performances all over the pitch and Cordice added: "We were by far the better side. The lads were much more positive than at Greenwich - they had a real zip to their play.

"I thought we could have had four or five goals and Lordswood could not have complained. The only way we were going to concede was from a mistake and thankfully we kept those to a minimum.

"I'm very pleased especially when you consider we had four or five players missing. We still managed to field a strong side and the lads who have come in have done themselves proud."

THE JOY OF SIX...Faversham Town players including goal hero Jason
Mills (six from left) and man of the match Dave Hockley (fourth from
right) celebrate taking six points from the Bank Holiday weekend

Town striker Andy Martin returned to the starting line-up after passing a late fitness test on the groin injury that ruled him out of Saturday's clash with Greenwich Borough.

And it was just as well because the two-goal hero from Harrow Meadow Kris Parker was missing because of work commitments.

Another change saw coach Paul Copley named as an emergency goalkeeper after Cordice found himself without Tim Holmes (holiday), Tony Diment (work) and Tim Keen (work).

Not that the former Welling United defender Copley minded. Indeed, he jumped at the chance to carve his own slice of history.

Copley, 36, revealed: "I've now followed in my father's footsteps and played Kent League football in three seperate decades.

"To fulfil that here at Faversham Town makes it even more special.

"The lads defended really well today. Mind you, the thought of having me as the last line in defence was the only incentive they needed to keep the ball away from our goal."

Town made a bright start and were disappointed to have their claims for a penalty waved away when Andy Martin went down in the penalty area after appearing to be pushed in the back.

Then John Goodwin really should have done better when he tried to go round Hopper only to find his route to goal blocked.

Then came two excellent chances for the Lilywhites with James Holder and then John Goodwin heading over the crossbar after rising unchallenged around the penalty spot.

Town went even closer to breaking the deadlock on 56 minutes when Martin hit the post from close range as the ball bounced around in the the box after a corner.

Sixty seconds later and it was Mills and Boom with the man they call Shoesey putting the boot into Lordswood with an early contender for goal of the season.

Former Town target Nick Smith had a couple of chances for Lordswood as they rallied towards the close but he never seriously threatened Copley's bid for a clean sheet on what is sure to be his only appearance in the number one jersey

Paul Copley 7, Junior Farrell 7, Jason Mills 7, Wes Hammond 7, James Holder 7, Gary Stock 8, Julian Beal 7, Steve Aslett 8, Andy Martin 7, Dave Hockley 8, John Goodwin 7. Substitutes: Dane Luchford (for Goodwin, 59 minutes) 7, Bradley Maguire (for Farrell, 67) 7, Stuart Smith (for Beal, 70) 7.