Sunday, October 28, 2007 16:57
Tunbridge Wells 5 Faversham Town 2
By Tony Gray
An Andy Constable hat-trick helped ensure that Faversham Town’s misery continues in a week that has seen them lose their manager as well as two Kent Premier League Fixtures.
Coach Paul Piggott and Assistant Manager Bob Mason, taking charge of team affairs for the first time following the departure of Paul Copley in midweek, were bolstered by the return to the side of Wes Hammond and Rob Lindley although regulars Graham Taylor, Ray Turner, Dave Read and Adam Hewitson were all unavailable for selection due to work commitments.
The opening period saw chances fall to both sides, a Gary Clark shot veered just wide of Rob Lindley’s right hand upright for the home side whilst a low driven effort by Ricky Freeman at the other end was on target but easily collected by Wells keeper Matt Bromby.
The scoring was opened by the visitors on 25 minutes; Julian Beal’s free-kick being only half cleared by the home defence fell to Jim Lyons whose low struck effort beat defenders and keeper alike.
Celebrations for the visitors were cut short with Tunbridge Wells back on level terms barely a minute later. Sam Phillips was allowed space to run down the right, his cross finding former Whitstable Town favourite Andy Constable who rose to powerfully head home.
Five minutes later and the Lilywhites found themselves, in the now familiar situation of being behind, a Tunbridge Wells corner finding it’s way through the area headed home by defender Clayton Cooper on the far post.
The home side should have added another on 34 minutes, Constable denied by Lindley at close range.
A headed clearance from Lindley just outside his area fell straight to the head of Dave Forster, his return header narrowly missing the target as a relieved Lindley scrambled back.
Goal number three for the Wells came on 40 minutes, a Sam Phillips corner was initially cleared off the line by Julian Beal, the ball cleared only as far as Phillips who crossed into the area for Constable to head home his second of the match.
The second half saw an improved performance from the visitors with both Ricky Freeman and Jim Lyons having shots on target.
Gary Robinson replaced Lee Whitehead on 55 minutes and very nearly made an immediate impact, linking up with Sean Hetterley whose return pass found Robinson in space on the edge of the area – Robinson’s shot forcing a fine save from Bromby.
Town narrowed the deficit on 65 minutes; Michael Cook’s run down the left side of play ending with an inch perfect cross which was met by an unmarked Robinson who headed home for a three – two score line.
The fight back was cruelly halted within minutes of the re-start by a wonderful strike from Sam Phillips, the Wells number 10 received the ball in space and unleashed a strike from 35 yards worthy of inclusion in any Goal of the Season completion – the movement of the ball giving Lindley no chance as it flew into the top right corner of his goal.
Lyons, Freeman and Robinson all had chances on goal but the scoring was completed at the other end as the impressive Constable completed his hat-trick with a well taken volley on 75 minutes.
Further chances fell to Phillips who rounded Lindley only to see his effort cleared off the line by Wes Hammond whilst a Brad Maguire strike went close for the visitors.
A second league victory for Tunbridge Wells whilst the Lilywhites slump to their seventh loss of the 2007 / 2008 campaign.