A lone goal from Matthew Bourne gave Faversham Town a victorious start to the New Year against local rivals Sittingbourne.
Both sides came into the game in good form, the hosts started the day in 6th in the Ryman Division One South, having not lost at home since the end of October and out of the playoff places on goal difference. Sittingbourne, despite finding themselves 18th in the table, had not lost in 5 games before their short trip down the A2. However, they had only won four games on the road all season.
Lilywhites manager Ray Turner made no changes from his side who beat Chatham Town in their last game whilst Nick Davies made one change after his team’s convincing 4-0 win over Ramsgate, this was made up front with Jordan Wells taking the place of Dan Hughes.
Not helped by the wet, boggy pitch, the game got off to a slow start, the only chances in the opening ten minutes came from George Monger but the midfielder’s series of long range efforts didn’t trouble Adam Molloy in the Sittingbourne goal.
The Brickies soon worked their way into the game and they had a chance of their own minutes later when Faversham were unable to clear a long ball forward. This allowed Jordan Wells to find Miles Cornwell, only for Cornwell to fire a shot at the near post which Will Godman did well to force wide.
Neither team were faring well in the testing conditions at the Shepard Neame Stadium, with both sides resorting to long balls forward nobody was able to get a clear look at goal. The hosts nearly got lucky when a loose ball fell into the path of Liam King, but Molloy got off his line quickly to gather the ball.
With time running out in the first half both sides went for a late goal to give them the lead going into half time. A goalmouth scramble in the Faversham box ended with Josh Wisson powering a shot straight at Will Godman. A high header from Tenyue ended the half with neither team able to break the deadlock.
Faversham started the second half on top, and applied some early pressure as their search for a goal went on. Early on Liam King did well to get a shot off towards the near post which was tipped wide, but it wasn’t long before the hosts took the lead. A shot from Charley Robertson was punched away by Adam Molloy into the feet of Matthew Bourne who finished with ease.
This control went on with Jamie Maxted heading over from a corner before Bola Dawodu was able to break through, only for Molloy to make a save at his feet.
As the game fizzled out, Sittingbourne’s search for an equaliser went on. Efforts from Jono Richardson and Miles Cornwell couldn’t get past Godman before Steven Ita skilfully dispossessed a cross- field pass, allowing Dan Hughes to get into a shooting position, but the substitute fired wide, meaning all three points would go to the hosts.
These points, along with other results mean that Faversham have broken into the playoff spots. They will go into their next league game- at South park- in fourth. Sittingbourne however, sink further in the table. They end the day in 19th, just six points above the relegation places.
Faversham Town: Godman, Cooper, Maxted, Botterill, Bourne, Brown, Carrington, Monger, Tenyue (Dawodu) (Sellens), L King (S King), Robertson
Subs not used: Scarborough, McCallum
Sittingbourne: Molloy, Brunt, Richardson, French, Stevenson, Wisson, Wright (Akhazzan), Bankole (Wilkins), Wells (Hughes), Cornwell, Ita
Subs not used: Crimmen, Davies
Attendance: 284