MATCH REPORT
Faversham Town Reserves 2 v 0 Erith Town Reserves
Kent Hurlimann Football League Division 1
by Roger Bennett
Some days you have to abandon the skilful performance and just dig in to get your three points against mid-table opponents. This was such a day, and whilst manager Bob Reardon was to admit the match wasn't exactly pretty to watch, he praised his team for a dogged performance and a job well done.
Both sides struggled to settle early on with passes going astray, poor clearances and even a foul throw. But the league leaders struck on 22 minutes when Brad Doyle powered a header goal bound. It seemed to be cleared off the line by an Erith defender but linesman Mr Golchehreh was perfectly placed and signalled a goal to referee Mr Cole. Faversham got their second on 34 minutes when an overhead kick from Andre Marques crept inside the post. The Dockers meanwhile were failing to take their chances with Marvin Gayle drilling wide when clean through.
Whilst Faversham pressed in the second half, the third goal just wouldn't come. Vince Collis hit one that only just went over. Tommy Hill's effort went miles over. Lloyd Harrington went just wide, then Tommy Hill's close range effort was well beaten out by Erith keeper Sam I'anson. From the resultant corner, a header from substitute James Simmons was just tipped over by I'anson.
Keanne Lee bursts up the wing. Photo: Roger Bennett
Erith had rallied quite well in the second half and worked hard for the elusive goal that would make matters interesting, but the Faversham defence coped with the threat of any come back. Keeper Lewis Craddock needed razor sharp reflexes to keep out a bullet like shot from Ricky Ogbo, and at the very end Dan Akpoveta hit wide at the very end in a one on one with Craddock.
Faversham manager Bob Reardon singled out defender Sam Short as man of the match. The team also saw the welcome return of Simmons who looks a lot sharper now and could be challenging for a starting place. Erith manager James Collins accepted the result as fair, though pondered if a draw could have been achieved if they hadn't committed two 'sloppy mistakes' in the first half.
The reserves next home match is scheduled for 04 February when they play Ramsgate Reserves in the Kent Intermediate cup quarter final. The winners here could end up playing Erith Town Reserves in the semi-final.
Faversham Town Reserves: Lewis Craddock, Sam Short, Lloyd Harrington, Rob Reardon, Brad Doyle, Ryan Norris, Keanne Lee, Dan Delaney, Andre Marques, Tom Hill, Vince Collis.
Substitutes: James Simmons (for Lee) 46 minutes, Dan Morrison (for Norris) 59, Lewis Pout (for Harrington) 85.
Attendance: 50
