MATCH REPORT
Faversham Town 4 v 0 Sittingbourne
Ryman League Division One South
by Thomas Reeves
The final outcome of a local derby can be determined in many ways. The home side came away with the victory and the bragging rights on this particular occasion thanks to a superb team performance. The performance had clearly pleased Faversham’s manager Ray Turner, who claimed “the whole team contributed today”. The home side secured the victory through 2 goals apiece from Aaron Quain and Adrian Stone. The result was also the biggest win that Faversham have had to date this season.
A disappointing opening half an hour did little to entertain the 295 spectators that had come to watch the game. Although with the only real chance of this period of play, the Lilywhites felt that they should have gone in front. The chance came on the 11th minute when Danny Hockton appeared to bundle the ball over Sittingbourne’s goal line after a David Botterill corner. However, this wasn’t the opinion of Referee Mr Lee Venamore who waved played on and the away side’s defence was able to scramble the ball off the line and to safety. Turner gave his reaction to this decision after the match. He announced “He (Danny Hockton) says it was well over the line and he was the closest to it. But, there were a lot of bodies in the way so I can see why he (Mr Venamore) didn’t give the goal.
Sittingbourne wide man, Ryan Palmer was looking dangerous down the right flank and on the half hour mark he broke past Nathan Simpson. But, his low drive clipped the outside of Rob French’s post before going out of play. This chance served as a wakeup call to Faversham, who took the lead on the 35th minute. Stone hooking the ball forward, more in hope than expectation. But, Quain was first to the ball and under pressure from the away side’s defence held his nerve, slotting the ball past Matt Reed in the visitor’s goal. Sittingbourne almost pulled level on the stroke of half time as French fumbled a corner allowing Ryan Golding room to scuff an effort goal wards. Mobolaji Dawodu was on the line though and was able to clear the danger.
There was a prolonged half time interval, due to an injury to Mr Lee Venamore. Fortunately, a number of qualified replacements were at the match and Mr Paul Harris took control for the second period.
Faversham doubled their lead 6 minutes into the second half. This time it was Quain who crossed for Stone, who, unmarked, was able to place his header into the right hand corner off the inside of the post. After this goal, the visitors began to push forward in their attempts to find a way back into the game. This meant that the match began to open up and Justin Ascheri nearly sealed the victory for the Lilywhites on the 68th minute, when he fired a cross come shot across the face of goal. But, none of Ascheri’s teammates were able to get a decisive touch on the ball and the winger’s shot cannoned against post.
The away side had the perfect opportunity to set up a grand stand finish on the 74th minute, once Ashley Brown had been caught in possession by Luke Coleman. Coleman tried to take the ball around French, but was denied by an excellent save by the home side’s keeper. Quain did seal the victory on the 81st minute, with the team’s third and his second goal of the night. A long ball from French, somehow managing to find Quain and he smashed the ball past Reed to put the game beyond Sittingbourne.
Then, with just 3 minutes remaining, Stone picked up his second. A smart piece of skill from Simon Brown allowing Dawodu to cross for the again unmarked Stone. He drove the ball past Reed with his headed effort to complete what in the end turned out to be a comfortable victory for Faversham.
Faversham Town:
Rob French
Mobajli Dawodu
Nathan Simpson
Tom Hickman (c)
James Peacock
Ashley Brown
Justin Ascheri (off 85)
David Botterill
Adrian Stone
Danny Hockton (off 64)
Aaron Quain (off 86)
Dale Skelton (on 85)
Simon Brown (on 64)
Sam Gore
Nicky Moir (on 86)
Joe Ainsley
