MATCH REPORT
Faversham Town 2 v 1 Maidstone United
Ryman League Division One South
by Thomas Reeves
Faversham came into this game knowing that it would be a very tricky fixture. Maidstone United were in 3rd position in the Ryman League Division 1 South before kick-off and victory would have seen them move into second place. However, it was the Lilywhite’s that secured the points with a good team performance. The victory was secured for the home side, courtesy of a Justin Ascheri goal on his return to the starting line-up and an Adrian Stone strike against his former club.
The game began at a fast pace in front of a 262 strong crowd. The home side had the first chance of the game on the 3rd minute, as Danny Hockton headed a David Botterill corner inches wide of Calvin Jack’s post in Maidstone’s goal. The Lilywhite’s had another chance 4 minutes later when the away side failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Ascheri who released a fierce strike. However, his powerful effort hit the side netting. The game wasn’t all Faversham though and the away side had their first chance on the 10th minute, as Michael Phillips managed to get his free kick over the wall and heading towards the top corner. However, Rob French in the Faversham goal was equal to the task and tipped the ball wide.
Maidstone thought that they had taken the lead on 20 minutes, once an Ellis Green free kick had been headed in by Alex Waugh who had previously been on Faversham’s books. But, Waugh was denied a goal on his return to the Sheperd Neame Stadium by Assistant Referee, Mr Benjamin Wesley who had adjudged Waugh to be offside when the free kick was taken. The Lilywhite’s hit straight back and had a chance of their own to break the deadlock a minute later when another Botterill corner found James Peacock unmarked. Although, Peacock’s header was straight at Jack, who saved and held onto the ball comfortably. After this chance, the game fell into a quiet spell and there was just one more chance before half time for either side. This chance fell to Maidstone and Sam Bewick on the 42 minute, after he had been played through on goal by Green. Bewick shot low and hard, but he was denied by the feet of French and the game remained goalless at the interval.
Faversham took the lead on the 49th minute, once an over hit cross from Aaron Quain had been salvaged by Hockton. He drew Maidstone’s keeper Jack towards him, before laying the ball across to Stone and he stroked the ball home for his 10th goal in all competitions this season. The away side pushed forward after this goal in search of a quick reply, but the home side’s defence held strong and prevented the away side from creating any clear chances.
The Lilywhite’s were rewarded for their resilient defending on the 65th minute, as Ascheri opened up a 2 goal cushion. The goal came when Ascheri got on the end of a Quain cross and thumped the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Jack with no chance. Maidstone weren’t finished yet though and almost pulled a goal back a minute later when Tommy Osbourne released a long range effort. But, French was looking impossible to beat by now and pulled off another spectacular save to prevent Osbourne. However, the away side did beat French 10 minutes from time, as a Bewick free kick was deflected in off the wall. With, the violent deflection the ball had taken leaving French wrong footed.
Bewick’s deflected effort set up a grand stand finish to the match, as Maidstone were pushing forward attempting to steal a point. Whilst, Faversham attempted to hold onto their one goal advantage. The away side almost got the goal they were searching for with 7 minutes remaining when Green flashed across a menacing cross. The cross looked set to fall to Substitute James Pinnock, who was inches away from goal and would have had the simplest of tasks in slamming the ball home. But, French diverted the ball away from Pinnock’s path. During the final moments of the game the home side had a golden chance to seal the win. The chance came when a high ball from Dale Skelton was headed goal wards by Ashley Brown, after he had seen Jack racing off his line in a desperate attempt to regain possession. But Brown, who had been asked to play as a target man for the dying moments of the match saw his header cleared off the line by Tom Mills. This chance was insignificant though, since the damage had already been done and Faversham held on for the win.
Ray Turner was delighted with his player’s performance. After the match he stated “I thought we were outstanding today. Although, when asked about the possibility of promotion he enquired “Can I get through the games we have in December first? I think it’s a little early for that.”
Photos from the game:
Faversham Town:
Rob French
Shane Hamshare
Sam Gore
Tom Hickman (c)
James Peacock
Matt Bourne
Justin Ascheri (off 84)
David Botterill
Adrian Stone
Danny Hockton (off 87)
Aaron Quain (off 84)
Ashley Brown (on 87)
Dale Skelton (on 84)
Tom Axford
Simon Brown (on 84)
Dan Ellis
