Saturday, October 4, 2008 22:50
Norton Sports 2 Faversham Town 1
By Tony Gray
Match photos available by following link above
A spectacular long range strike from Norton's Kerry Glover secured all three points for Ben Taylor's side in a match that Faversham should have had wrapped up at the half-time break.
With both sides making the short trip down the Thanet Way Norton were keen to avenge their opening day defeat at Salters Lane whilst the Lilywhites were keen to build on their recent form which had seen them climb to fifth place in the Bulmers Kent Premier League.
Goalkeeper Kevin Readings returned from injury to retake his place in the starting eleven in an otherwise unchanged side from last Saturday's 3 - 0 away win at Deal Town.
The Lilywhites started brightly putting the home side under pressure from the opening whistle, "tempo" was the buzzword from the bench and the visitors closed down and put Norton under pressure from the off.
Early chances fell to Dane Luchford and Damian Abel with Norton shot stopper Chris Smith doing well to contain their efforts.
On 12 minutes Steve O'Brien showed his class as he progressed effortlessly down the left before whipping in a cross - Roy Guiver only inches away from making contact.
With Norton struggling to get a grip on the game chances continued to be created for the visitors, a well delivered free-kick from O'Brien found Town skipper Lee Shearer at the far post - his effort finally denied by the woodwork.
Norton's Harry Goodger left the field of play after 20 minutes after aggravating a knee injury to be replaced by Darren Slatter.
Last week's two goal hero Dave Soutan had an effort cleared off the line following the combined efforts of keeper Smith and defender John Emmerson before the sides broke for the interval with the score level but with Faversham holding the upper hand.
Very much a "game of two halves" the second period saw Norton take to the field with renewed vigour that saw them dominate most of the half albeit without creating too many scoring chances.
Town's defence more than a match for anything that Norton created, although time and time again Town's clearances were picked up by the home side with the Lilywhites pinned back in their own half for long periods.
Against the run of play the Lilywhites took the lead on 71 minutes, a Town throw-in from the left was cleared only as far as Town's Steve Lloyd whose low driven strike from 25 yards easily beat the Norton keeper.
Town's lead was shortlived with Norton back on level terms within five minutes, Town keeper Readings spilling a shot which was pounced upon by Norton's Tommy Price who made no mistake as he fired home past the unfortunate Readings.
Manager Justin Luchford replaced a largely ineffective Guiver with Mike McKenna in a bid to push forward and win the game but it was the home side who continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides.
With only two minutes of normal time remaining Norton's efforts were rewarded a half cleared ball fell to Kerry Glover some 30 yards out, Glover connected first time and watched his effort as it sailed into the top right corner of Readings goal to secure the three points along with the associated bragging rights within the Faversham area.
Upon reflection Norton deserved the victory, a side lacking experience and quality they make up for it with a dogged determination that was sadly lacking in the Town side for much of this game.
The Lilywhites are without a fixture next weekend and are next in action when they host Slade Green at Salters Lane on Saturday September 18th - kick off at 15:00.
Town's Star Man: Ashley Brown - improves with every performance.
Faversham Town: Kevin Readings (6); Josh Maasbach (6); Ashley Brown (8); Dane Luchford (7); Steve Lloyd (7); Lee Shearer (6); Shane Hamshare (6); Damian Abel (7); Roy Guiver (6); Dave Soutan (6); Steve O'Brien (7)
Substitutes: Mike McKenna (for Guiver 77 minutes) (7)
Unused: Carl Hodgson; Chris Eather; Dan Whelan; Liam Gould