Faversham’s great run in this year’s FA Trophy came to an unfortunate end against Newmarket. Newmarket were top of their league and came to Salters Lane as favourites, but Faversham were probably the better team and simply lacked that clinical edge.
The game was not for the purists, but both teams could use the weather as an excuse, as the rain and wind combined to make conditions difficult. In the fifth minute, Jack Evans saw his twenty-five-yard shot go just over the bar. A minute later, Josh Hare crossed into the area, and Tommy Fagg headed over the bar.
In the eighth minute, Fagg ran down the right wing and crossed into the area for Josh Strouts, whose shot was saved by James Young. The game went a little quiet for a while, but Faversham still looked the more likely side to score. However, as we know, football is a funny game, and against the run of play in the 31st minute, Newmarket scored when Ryan Cole, on the edge of the area, saw his shot go in off the post, leaving Tom Hadler bitterly disappointed that he had not saved it.
Faversham nearly got a deserved equaliser when Hare’s cross into the area was met by Strouts, but his effort went just wide. For the rest of the half, both teams tried to make progress in difficult conditions, but to no avail. At half-time, most of the Faversham crowd would have been reasonably happy with their team’s performance, while the Newmarket fans would have been overjoyed with the position they were in.
The second half started with conditions getting worse, but to be fair, both teams tried to play football. In the 59th minute, Elliott Reeves saw his shot saved by Hadler’s legs, but the ball came out to Josh Lee, who shot wide from ten yards. In the 68th minute, a free kick into the area saw Jack Steventon’s header go just over the bar.
Newmarket were now playing on the break, while Faversham huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser. In the final six minutes, Faversham threw everything at Newmarket, but unfortunately for them, they fell short and would now concentrate on the league.
Faversham Town:
- T. Hadler 2. J. Hare 3. J. Parter 4. H. Hudson 5. J. Steventon (83) 6. L. Allen 7. E. Smith (90)
8. J. Evans 9. Eamgbaduba (66) 10. T. Fagg 11. J. Strouts
SUBS USED: 12. J. Trespademe (66) 14. B. Simms (83) 17. T. Isaacs (90)
SUBS NOT USED: 16. M. Allen 16. T. Angrabelt
BOOKINGS: 9. E. Amgbaduba (19) 8. J. Evans (53) 12. J. Trespademe (69)
Newmarket Town:
- J. Young 2. J. Chipps 3. J. Eady 4. L. King 5. E. Romnos 7. B. Nolan 9. E. Reeves
10. R. Cole 11. J. Lee 18. T. Goddard 20. J. Coulson
SUBS USED: NONE
SUBS NOT USED: 12. E. Osei-Owusu 14. T. Killnc 15. O. Dean 16. K. Brzozowiec 19. J. Adeoye
BOOKINGS:18. T. Goddard (55) 5. E. Romanos (73) 20. J. Coulson (76)
REFEREE: Mr. R. Joss
ASSISTANTS: Mr. K. Bailey & Mr. D. Davis
Att: 251