MATCH REPORT
Faversham Town 1 v 1 Eastbourne Town
Ryman League Division One South
by Thomas Reeves
Faversham managed to get a point from their first home match of the calendar year with this 1-1 draw against an Eastbourne side who had already notched up two 3-0 victories over the Lilywhites this season. Although Nicky Humphreys, who had been given the captain’s armband for the first time for this game, was unlucky to score an own goal on his home debut. The defender unable to avoid a punched clearance from Rob French in the home side’s goal and the ball rebounded into the net. This goal was cancelled out by Adrian Stone seconds before the half time interval and despite significant pressure from the home team in the second half, the match finished one-apiece. After the match, the Lilywhite’s manager Ray Turner showed his discontent at dropping two points, despite his side’s improved second half performance. He explained his frustration “I’m disappointed with this result because we should be winning home games and I have made this clear to the players”.
During a quiet first period, in which both teams lacked creative spark, clear cut chances were few and far between. This may have been due to Faversham introducing several new signings to their starting line up. This meant that there was to be just a single opportunity for either side during the first half. However, both of these openings led to goals. The away side taking the lead on 25 minutes as French failed to adequately deal with a dangerous cross from Scott Kirkwood and the ball cannoned off Humphreys’s and over the goal line.
It looked like Eastbourne would go in at half time a goal to the good. But, seconds before the break, Faversham equalized. Stone, taking advantage of a defensive mix-up, muscled his way past the away side’s defence before shooting past Kieron Thorpe. Turner felt his side were fortunate to go in level pegging at half time. He claimed “the first half was the worst we have played all season”.
At half time, Turner opted to bring Justin Ascheri and Aaron Quain off the bench in the hope of bringing his side to life after a poor first half performance. It worked, the home side looking the better team throughout most of the second period. But, Faversham were still struggling to create clear cut chances. This was until the 67th minute when a Nathan Simpson cross bobbled around the box and eventually fell to Dale Skelton. He blazed over the crossbar though.
The Lilywhites continued to push forward in search of a winning goal throughout the final 15 minutes. Chances falling to Stone and Skelton. But, neither player was able to test Elliott in the Eastbourne goal. The away side’s only chance of the second half fell to Kirkwood, six minutes from time. But, he shot well wide from 30 yards out and both sides were ultimately forced to settle for a point, much to the frustration of the Faversham players in particular. Their second half performance certainly warranting the point, which their performance during the first period had not.
Photos from the game:
Faversham Town:
Rob French
Ashley Brown
Nathan Simpson
Peter Hawkins (off 45)
Nicky Humphreys (c)
Matt Bourne
Mobajli Dawodu (off 45)
Dal Skelton
Adrian Stone
Danny Hockton
David Botterill
Justin Ascheri (on 45)
Aaron Quain (on 45)
Sam Gore
Simon Brown
Joe Ainsley
