On Friday night, Snodland Town became the first SCEFL side to win through to the next round in this seasons Emirates FA Cup with a hard-fought win at the Belmont against Faversham Strike Force. 

In the end a solitary first half strike from Manny Shoderu was enough to win the game but Town keeper Frankie Leonard kept his side in the game as the second half wore on with a couple of fantastic stops before the game sadly ended in near farcical scenes after the final whistle when players from both sides got involved where there was really no need! 

Snodland off the back of their opening day with over Rusthall last weekend started the brighter and Tyler Jackson-Hunt was only fractionally wide with an early drive. Chris Alahassan then tested home keeper Harry Earls with a shot on the turn before the visitors took the lead with what proved to be the game’s decisive goal – Kian Scott and Alhassan combined superbly down the Snodland left and as the ball was fed through to Shoderu, his curling effort from the edge of the box left Earls clutching thin air. 

Earls made a great save to keep out a Jackson-Hunt header shortly afterwards as the home side really struggled to get a foot hold in the tie, but then in stoppage time had their clearest opportunity of the half that seemed to spur them going into the second period as Tom Carter’s flick released Alfie Hill, who skipped round Leonard but was forced wide which gave the keeper time to recover. 

Leonard kept his side ahead on the hour with what could be one of the saves of the season – Carter did brilliantly down the right and his pinpoint centre was perfect for Alfie Giles, whose bullet header was somehow kept out by a flying Leonard to his right. Giles indeed was still shaking his head how the ball hadn’t gone in shortly afterwards when he was replaced by Ollie Gray. 

Snodland though they had grabbed a second on the break, but sub-Kieron King had moved fractionally too quick for Shoderu’s pass across the box. Strike Force finally had some purpose, and Leonard was forced to touch Thiago Ferreira’s looping header onto the top of the net. 

Snodland had the guilt edged chance to seal progress when Sayku Treore was fouled by a back tracking Hill, leaving no decision but penalty being able to be given, but Nat Olawole hadn’t read the script and his poor spot kick was easily gathered by Earls. 

As Strike Force piled forward in stoppage time desperate for the goal to force a reply, Josh Oliver did beat Leonard, but the ball he clipped past the advancing keeper was hacked to safety by Jayden Bolarinwa. 

At the final whistle, tempers that had been fraying as the second period went on, finally snapped leading to a coming together and Mr Lander (who incidentally along with the two assistants all came from Essex!) was seen to show one red card – possibly two – in the direction of Snodland players which was a sad end to a good night for Town who now face Harrow Borough in the next round in two weeks’ time! 

FAVERSHAM STRIKE FORCE – Earls, Smith (Alexander), Wren, McCormack (LeBerl), Holden (Ferreira), Taylor, Wood, Carter (Esumobe), Giles (Gray), Hill, Oliver 

Subs – Sinnick, McCarthy 

SNODLAND TOWN – Leonard, Jackson-Hunt (Brand), Bolarinwa, Alhassan (Traore), Fitchett, Dunn (King), Hudson, Olawole (Griggs), Shoderu, Scott (Shepherd) 

Subs – Benning, Sayer 

REFEREE – Mr. Lander