MATCH REPORT
Corinthian Casuals 1 v 1 Faversham Town
Ryman League Division One South
by Thomas Reeves
“We seem to be getting the nearly team tag at the moment and this is something I’m not happy about”. This was the view of Faversham manager Ray Turner; after he had seen his side concede an equalizing goal and subsequently drop 2 points deep into second half stoppage time. The goal for Corinthian-Casuals came when Danny Green headed home a Paul Honey corner, with what proved to be the last chance of the match. Green’s headed effort cancelled out Danny Hockton’s first half goal for the Lilywhites.
The away side came into this game full of confidence, just four days before they had seen off title contenders Maidstone United and were now keen to pick up more points. For this game, Turner opted to name the same starting 11 that had run out against Maidstone. But, the match lacked tempo throughout the early stages.
The first clear chance of the game fell to Corinthian-Casuals on the 10th minute, but Paul Honey’s long range free kick was easily saved by Rob French. The away side hit back and had their first clear chance just 3 minutes later. The opportunity came as Faversham’s skipper, Tom Hickman latched onto a loose ball just inside the Casuals' penalty area, but he only managed to slice his effort well wide. Throughout the opening half hour the game was even, possession wise, however, the Lilywhites were looking more likely to break the deadlock. On 25 minutes they did just that when Hockton headed home a David Botterill in-swinging corner.
This goal appeared to act as a wakeup call to the home side and they began to push forward in an attempt to level the scores. They almost got the goal they were searching for on the 40th minute, as Byron Brown latched onto a Steve Berilli’s through ball. But, Berilli was unable to keep his shot down and his effort blazed over the crossbar. Casuals then had another chance on the stroke of half time when Honey played through Jamal Carr. He also was unable to test Faversham’s keeper and the Lilywhites went in at the break a goal to the good.
The home side started the second half in the same vein they had finished the first and tested French as early as the 48th minute. Green’s shot was saved by French’s feet after Dave Hodge had crossed. The Lilywhites hit back and almost doubled their advantage a minute later. Adrian Stone latched onto an Aaron Quain cross to leave the striker clean through on goal. However, Stone shot over.
The game lacked clear chances after this entertaining start to the second half and the fans had to wait until the 80th minute for the next chance. This fell to Faversham and Stone, as he glanced his header goalwards from a Botterill corner. But, his effort flew past Matt Mawn’s right hand post in the Casual goal. This looked to be the last chance of the game, with both defences holding strong after the initial chances at the start of the second half. However, deep into stoppage time Corinthian-Casuals equalized, as Green got on the end of a Honey corner and headed it home. Green’s late goal left the home side ecstatic and the Lilywhites shell-shocked.
Faversham Town:
Rob French
Shane Hamshare
Sam Gore
Tom Hickman (c)
James Peacock
Matt Bourne
Justin Ascheri (off 78)
David Botterill
Adrian Stone
Danny Hockton (off 65)
Aaron Quain (off 72)
Ashley Brown (on 65)
Simon Brown (on 72)
Scott Davenport
Dan Ellett (on 78)
Dale Skelton
