Sunday, April 5, 2009 21:48
Lordswood U18's 0 Faversham Town U18's 1
Scorer: David Miles
David Miles came up with a first half winner at 3rd placed Lordswood in this hard fought win to maintain Faversham's challenge at the top of the League.
Faversham showed just one change to their starting line-up from the last game, Elliot Ling came in on the right hand side.Miles took his place on the left with Kris Richardson starting at left back.
The game was never going to be a pretty affair on a very difficult hard surface, both sides found it difficult to get any real flow to their game, Faversham without a doubt started well in the game, pushing up quickly and using the pace of Wall on a number of occasions early. Chances however were going to be tough to carve out, but with Town's midfield getting to grips with the game and Jamie Sparks at the back organising they certainly were forcing their opponents back. Both Ling and Miles were getting crosses in from the flanks and Pennell up front with Wall was holding up play really well. After a couple of early corners and some pressure Town took the lead with about 15 minutes gone in the game. It was a well worked goal, Miles rolled the ball down the left hand side for Wall he held the ball up waited for Miles and flicked a great ball into his run, Miles drove into the box his cross re-bounded back to him before he found the bottom corner to put Town one up. Town looked pretty strong at this point forcing a few corners but crucially could not add to their lead. The game turned into a real physical battle played out mainly in the midfield, slowly however Lordswood came into the game, they had two chances before half-time, firstly from a corner a header went wide and then a break on the right had Hodgson in goal saving from distance at his near post. Town's back four of Ellett, Doyle, Sparks and Richardson were in control of most things and they came in one up.
The second half started much the same, most of the game was in the Lordswood half, this time however Town created many chances to extend their lead, this was crucial as once again Lordswood came into the game late on and almost snatched a very late equaliser. Town's chances were mainly coming down the left hand side, Richardson was more of an attacking threat and he linked up well with Miles on a number of occasions. Wall's pace continued to cause problems and he had a few chances in front of goal, mainly created by his own good work, a couple of shots flew over and another attempted lob went just over, his partner Pennell was having no more luck in front of goal, on one occasion he did superbly to bring the ball down from over his shoulder only to see his near post effort saved well. Doyle also went close from a Richardson free-kick. With Town not able to put the game away they were always aware of the Lordswood threat, mainly this came from free-kicks and knock downs in the box, although Hodgson in goal was only really called upon to deal with a free-kick that needed good handling. Town made an early change in the half Connor Young replaced Ling on the right who had once again impressed, Young's long throw was used on occasions to effect. The game as it went into the latter stages was a real battle with Lordswood constantly asking questions but generally Doyle and Sparks came up with the answers. Axford and Johanson deserve a mention too for their tireless work rate in an area of the pitch where there was no time to play at all. Town did have an escape with almost the last kick, a weak clearance freed the right winger, the cross looked perfect but the effort at the far post was put over. A little bit of luck for Town was well deserved as they in general controlled the game very well but were unable to find the second goal, it was another great squad effort and a vital 3 points. The team will have to be at their best again Tuesday night when they travel to a talented Ashford side.
Town: Carl Hodgson, Dan Ellett, Kris Richardson, Taylor Johanson, Brad Doyle, Jamie Sparks, Dave Miles, Chris Axford, Stefan Wall, Richard Pennell, Elliot Ling.
Subs: Connor Young (Ling 60).
Not Used: Matt Wilson, Ryan Pioli, Liam Gould, James Polley.