Sunday, February 8, 2009 22:37
Faversham Town 0 VCD Athletic 2
By Tony Gray
Goals either side of the break without reply saw VCD Athletic take all three points in this Bulmers Cider Kent Premier League fixture at Salters Lane in front of a crowd of 187.
Being the only KPL fixture taking place was testament to the hard work and dedication of the Salters Lane groundstaff.
With striker Dane Luchford missing due to suspension Dave Botterill was named in the starting eleven with Shane Hamshare dropping into the right back position to cover for Jamie Sparks who missed out on a starting position suffering from a heavy cold.
The first half saw the visitors dominate for most of the 45 minutes although chances on goal were few and far between.
The visitors had taken 16 points from the last 18 on offer and made full use of the Salters Lane pitch as they passed the ball with ease against a Town side struggling to create any real chances.
Town keeper Kevin Readings was called into action on 44 minutes as he got his fingertips to a well struck effort from Leroy Huggins, Readings' efforts just enough to deny the Vicker's striker.
From the resultant corner kick the ball was fired into the Town 6 yard area to be met by the head of Casey Scotter, Scotter's header beating Town keeper and defence alike to give the visitors the lead at the break.
The Lilywhites upped their game in the second period although still proved to be lacking where it mattered most with Vickers keeper James Tedder never really under any great pressure.
The visitors added the second of the game on 54 minutes when the ball fell to Gary Ward on the right hand side of the Town area, Ward had the time and space to pick his spot before sending the ball into the top right of Readings' goal.
Town manager Justin Luchford introduced Jamie Sparks and Byron Walker on the hour mark replacing Hetterley and Botterill respectively in an effort to chase the game whilst Chris Oyebanjo came on for Steve O'Brien to play out the last 10 minutes.
Oyebanjo looked lively playing wide right and briefly cause a few problems for the Vickers defence - even forcing Tedder into making a couple of saves.
When referee James Macey blew for time on 90 minutes few among the Salters Lane crowd could deny that the better side had won.
ON ITS WAY IN.....Casey Scotter (hidden) heads home for the opening goal
Prior the match the draw for the Premier League Cup had taken place which saw the Lilywhites pitched against Croydon with 'The Trams' hosting the first leg of the contest. Dates for these fixtures are still to be arranged.
Luchford's Lilywhites are next in action this coming Saturday as they travel to the 'Small Glen' to face Martin Ford's Slade Green - kick-off at 15:00.
Town's Star Man - Ashley Brown
Faversham Town: Kevin Readings (6); Shane Hamshare (5); Kris Richardson (5); Tom Hickman (5); Ashley Brown (6); Lee Shearer (5); Dave Botterill (5); Damian Abel (6); Steve O'Brien (5); Dave Soutan (5); Sean Hetterley (5)
Substitutes: Jamie Sparks (for Hetterley 60 minutes) (5); Byron Walker (for Botterill 60 minutes) (5); Chris Oyebanjo (for O'Brien 80 minutes) (5); Unused Carl Hodgson; Ben Ives