MATCH REPORT
Faversham Town 1 v 0 Walton Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
by Thomas Reeves
Faversham and Walton Casuals met for the first time since they had played out an 8 goal thriller earlier this season. The Lilywhites were victorious on that occasion by the margin of 5 goals to three and also came out on top in this Ryman League Division 1 South fixture. However, the two matches couldn’t have been less alike. The previous contest had goals galore and plenty of attractive football on show. In contrast, this time around, both teams were unable to retain possession for any length of time and this led to a lack of chances for both side’s attacker’s to feed upon.
The game lacked chances throughout the entirety of the first half. In fact, there was only one player for each side that was seriously troubling the opposition defence. These players were Justin Ascheri and Liam Holden. So it came as no surprise, that the two clear chances of the first half heavy featured these players. Faversham thought they had taken the lead on the 20th minute, once a Sam Gore cross had been sliced into the path of Ascheri by Richard Taylor. Ascheri’s shot appeared to be heading in as it pasted Gareth Williams in the Casual’s goal. But, Taylor got back to clear the ball off the line and make up for his initial error. The away side got their only clear chance of the first half on the 36th minute, as Holden played through Glenn Stanley. But, he shot over and the game remained goalless at half time.
The 65 spectators that had braved the elements on this extremely cold night would no doubt have been disappointed by the lack of goalmouth action during the first half. However, they only had to wait 2 minutes for the first chance of the second half. The chance fell to the away side and Stanley, as he ran onto Danny Fernandes’s cross. But, the forward was unable to direct his header on target. The Lilywhites made Walton Casuals pay for this missed opportunity on the 57th minute. David Botterill’s free kick looked set to be easily gathered by Williams. But, the ball held up in the wind and all the Casual’s keeper could do in his attempts to stop the wind dragging Botterill’s free kick over the goal line was push the ball out to Hockton. He made no mistake, thumping the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
The away side thought they had pulled level just after the hour mark. A lofted ball from Craig Lewington falling at the feet of Stanley, who proceeded to take the ball around Rob French in Faversham’s goal and poke the ball goalwards. Tom Hickman was on the line and cleared the danger for the home side though. After this chance, Walton Casuals pushed forward sensing an equalizing goal.
The increasing pressure that the home side were being put under finally told on the 75th minute. With, the away side being awarded a penalty by referee, Mr Parker. A long ball from Fernandes led to a foot race between substitute, William Adou and French. Adou winning the race and being dragged down by the Faversham keeper in the process. Ray Turner agreed with the penalty decision. He stated “there was no complaint from me, it was a penalty.” Liam Holden stepped up to the take penalty and sent French the wrong way. But, Holden saw his effort cannon off the post and away to safety.
The Lilywhites had the chance to put the game beyond all doubt eight minutes from time, with the Casual’s defence becoming more stretched as they searched for an equalizing goal. A high ball from Simon Brown finding Hockton. He exchanged passes with Ascheri before shooting. But, his effort went well over the crossbar. Faversham had had trouble seeing out wins recently and almost shot themselves in the foot again here giving away a penalty. But, the Lilywhites held on for the 1-0 win and all three points. This turn of good fortunate pleased Turner, who claimed “we got abit of luck for a change and it was about time we got a bit go our way”.
Faversham Town:
Rob French
Shane Hamshare
Sam Gore
Tom Hickman (c)
James Peacock
Ashley Brown
Justin Ascheri
Simon Brown
Adrian Stone
Danny Hockton
Dave Botterill
Aaron Quain
Lloyd Harrington
Tom Axford
Mobolaji Dawodu
Scott Davenport
