MATCH REPORT
Crawley Down 3 v 1 Faversham Town
Ryman League Division One South
by Thomas Reeves
Faversham’s recent poor form continued here with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Crawley Down. This result seemed unlikely when the Lilywhites took the lead on 66 minutes. Matt Bourne poking the ball home from no more than 5 yards out. However, the home side ensured that they would be the team taking the points from this fixture, courtesy of goals from Tom Burton, Miles Mitchell and Luke Blewden.
The visitors started excellently and had the first chance of the contest after just 50 seconds. Adrian Stone breaking through the home side’s defence before shooting wide from a tight angle. The away side had another good chance to open the scoring on the 3rd minute. Although, Bourne was unable to keep his header down from a David Botterill corner.
After these 2 early chances the match fell quiet with neither side able to create any openings of note. This was until the 21st minute, as Crawley Down created their first opportunity. Mitchell chipping the ball over Ashley Brown, before attempting a spectacular volleyed effort from 20 yards out. Unfortunately for him, his shot didn’t test Rob French in the Faversham goal and the ball sailed well wide. The home side had a better chance to take the lead on 38 minutes though. Fraser Logan running free off his marker and attempting to slot the ball past French. However, the visitor’s goalkeeper blocked the shot well and the match remained goalless at the break after a closely contested first period.
Both teams took a long time to get going in the second half. This meant that there was no real action of note during the opening 20 minutes of the second period. But, the half and the match burst into life on the 66th minute. A free kick from substitute Simon Brown flicked into the path of Bourne by his captain Nicky Humphrey and Bourne managed to stab the ball past Crawley Down keeper Mark Zawadski to open the scoring. The Lilywhites lead lasted just 2 minutes though. A poor corner from Logan somehow managing to find its way to Burton and he slammed the ball home from close range.
After this goal, the momentum swung in Crawley Down’s favour and they took the lead themselves on 75 minutes. Gabriel Odunaike crossing for Mitchell and he fired the ball into the roof the net. Things got even better for Crawley Down on 87 minutes, as they sealed the victory. A deflected shot from Blewden somehow evading the grasp of French and nestling in the back of the net. The home side did almost add a fourth goal deep into stoppage time. Jamie Cade heading wide from point blank range. This missed opportunity made very little difference to the final outcome of the contest and Crawley Down ran out 3-1 winners.
Faversham Town:
Rob French
Ashley Brown
Nathan Simpson
Dave Botterill
Nicky Humphreys (c)
Matt Bourne
Renford Tenyue (off 84)
Justin Ascheri
Adrian Stone
Danny Hockton (off 87)
Aaron Quain (off 59)
Simon Brown (on 59)
Mobolaji Dawodu (on 87)
Nicky Moir
Marvin Okundalaiye (on 84)
Joe Ainsley
