|
NEWS >>>>>>
28th March 2006 Stansfeld 1 Faversham Town 0 FAVERSHAM TOWN are throwing away the chance to win the British Energy Kent County League. A little more than two weeks ago and Terry Cordice's men were heading into a top-of-the-table clash with leaders Lewisham Borough level on points and with everything to play for. Indeed, but for the one-point deduction that followed the Bradley Maguire affair, Town would have replaced the South Londoners at the summit. Victory in the game dubbed the "Big One" would have sent them clear and struck a crucial psychological blow with just a handful of games left to play. Sadly, the "Big One" was cancelled and what has followed has been nothing but a big disappointment. They now trail Lewisham by FIVE POINTS and it is a gap they will NEVER bridge if they repeat the horror story of a performance at Stansfeld that saw them out-thought, out-fought and totally out-played. In fact, if they play like this again they will not win another game this season let alone the Premier Division title. Goalkeeper Tim Holmes, defender James Holder and substitute Kris Parker were the only players to do themselves justice on a day Town will want to forget big time. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult to recall the last time Town put on a performance to remember. Three attempts on goal in 90 minutes, one of which was off target, is not the form of potential champions. The fact Stansfeld crafted more than a dozen opportunities, two of which hit the post, tells you even more. They also had a goal chalked off for offside. Town needed a big performance after their 0-0 draw at home to bottom-placed Crockenhill seven days earlier. But if that was dire then this was dismal with Town handing over the three points without so much as a whimper. Harsh words it is true. But the reality is that Town look in very real danger of ruining all the hard work that has gone into bringing back the Lilywhites from a certain death. Thanks to an incredible effort by the people of Faversham, born-again Town are a Kent League club in all but name. An inspection at Salters Lane confirmed as much last week. The problem is that, at times, this Jekyll and Hyde team look more Sunday League than Kent League. Boss Cordice believes many of his players are feeling the pressure. But he also knows that there can be no let up now with five big games still to be played. It is time for this team to deliver on their undoubted promise. Stansfeld started brightly with Neil Thurgood producing a good save from Holmes after just two minutes. Town responded with a trademark long throw from Scott Price at the other end but neither Holder nor Matt Tallon were able to provide the final touch. Danny McKone broke free down the right for Stansfeld just a couple of minutes later and he flashed a shot across the face of goal. The warning signs were there and the Londoners had the ball in the net on 12 minutes when a free-kick was whipped into the box by the impressive Jamie Turner. McKone provided the flick-on and Billy Hughes headed home but referee Chris Clarke came to Town's rescue after spotting an offside. An Adam Hewitson foul on 16 minutes gave Turner another chance to hurt Town and he was desperately unlucky to see his excellent free-kick come back off the post with Holmes beaten from all of 23 yards. Stansfeld were in control and Terry Forsyth - the outstanding player on view - broke the deadlock on 29 minutes after out-of-sorts Julian Beal lost the ball in midfield to Danny Wardle. Town skipper Beal fouled Wardle as he moved off with the ball but the Stansfeld player battled on and released Forsyth into acres of space down the right hand side. Town were all over the place at the back, allowing the impish Forsyth to steam forward and, ignoring McKone galloping through the middle, he found the net with a shot beyond Holmes. Beal was then booked for his trouble and the central midfielder's miserable day continued just seconds later when he gave away possession again, this time trying to lift the ball over an opponent to Tallon. The slip released Turner who caused utter panic for the second time in two minutes, sprinting straight at the heart of the defence on a sensational run that took him all the way into the penalty area. Thankfully for Town, Holmes was on his toes and dived at Turner's feet when the Stansfeld flyer tried one feint too many. It was a massive let-off. Five minutes later and Town finally managed a shot but it was more than a little hopeful, the subdued Rikki Cable letting fly from 25 yards more in hope than expectation and the ball flew well over the top. Tempers frayed in a flare-up involving a number of players six minutes from half-time as Gary Stock tried to clear the ball. It all ended with McKone going into the book, closely followed by sweeper Stock. Normal service was resumed two minutes later when a great cross on the left from Billy Hughes picked out Wardle and he flashed a right-foot volley across the face of goal. Beal gave way for striker Parker at half-time and John Goodwin moved back to take both the armband and a new role in central midfield. But he could do little to change the pattern of a game that was going all Stansfeld's way. A super cross from Forsyth was headed over by McKone before Parker at last forced Grant Hall to make a save after somehow getting the better of two defenders to get a head to Price's ball in from the left. Dave Hockley, dropped from the starting line-up along with defender Kris Browning, came on for the disappointing Hewitson on 57 minutes but Stansfeld then hit the post for a second time. Tallon was left marking two players at the back post and Sam Murray almost made Town pay with a firm header that smacked against the woodwork. Wardle was booked for a foul on Goodwin before Turner fired over after more good work from Forsyth. Town rallied near the close and Holder, who worked hard all afternoon for no reward, was adamant he had the ball over the line when he surged forward to meet Price's cross with a header in a mad, goalmouth scramble. Referee Clarke was unimpressed. Ross Cable was then booked for dissent after he was clattered on the right as the clock ticked into time added on. And then Holder was just inches away from making contact as Ross sent in the resultant free-kick. It was not to be and Town now have it all to do with games at home to Stansfeld, Bromley Green and Lewisham as well as Sheerness East and Norton away. The Promised Land of the Kent League awaits - can they respond? Town's Top Man: Tim Holmes - Kept Town in the game Tim Holmes 7, Brad Maguire 6, Scott Price 5, Adam Hewitson 5, James Holder 7, Gary Stock 6, Matt Tallon 5, Julian Beal 5, Ross Cable 5, Rikki Cable 5, John Goodwin 6. Substitutes: Kris Parker (for Beal, 45 minutes) 6, Dave Hockley (for Hewitson, 57) 5, Mark Smith (for Maguire, 82) 6.
|
Fixtures / Match Reports Check out the details of upcoming fixtures and previous match reports. League
Tables Player
Stats
|
 |
