The road to Wembley started on a lovely sunny afternoon as Faversham beat Corinthian Casuals easily to book an away game at Bedfont in the next round.
The first half saw Faversham completely control the game; it looked like men against boys. The game started quickly for Faversham and in the fourth minute Nathan Wood was through on goal, but David Wloch came out and blocked it,
Four minutes later Josh Hare’s cross to the back post found Lex Allen on his own but he directed his header across the goal going out for a goal kick. In the 13th minute a long throw by Birthday boy Bradley Simms saw Allen flick it on for Ibrahim Olutade whose overhead kick from six yards was tipped over the bar by Wloch.
In the 15th minute Faversham took a deserved lead when Wood saw his twenty-yard shot palmed away by Wloch but straight to Ethan Smith who reacted the quickest and from four yards smacked into the net. Two minutes later they doubled their lead in extraordinary fashion as Olutade chased down a long ball out muscling the defender and as Wloch came out and his kick hit Olutade and went towards the goal and he won the race and knocked the ball into an empty net.
Five minutes later and Faversham got their third when Wood was put through and went into the area and went round Wloch and stroked the ball into the net. In the 33rd minute it could have been four when a long ball forward saw Ernie Amgbaduba flick on for Olutade and his low cross to the back post found Smith but from six yards out shot wide when it seemed easier to score.
In the 41st minute another chance came when another long throw into the area by Simms saw a defender misdirect his header forcing Wloch to tip it around the post. Half time arrived and the only criticism new boss Steve Watt would have is that they could be more clinical.
The second half started as the first finished with Faversham on top and in the 46th minute when Hare’s cross into the area saw Jack Evans header saved by Wloch at the second attempt. Seven minutes later it was four when Evans free kick into the area saw a header go goal wards beating Wloch but not the post but Jack Steventon pounced on it and shot home.
Two minutes later in their first real attack Casuals scored when a ball into the area was half cleared to Clayton Afonso who from twenty yards shot past Tom Hadler. This must have inspired Casuals as two minutes later Zack Ejeta received the ball in the area and from twelve yards shot just over the bar.
This shook Faversham for a while but in the 60th minute they nearly made it five when Olutade outmuscled the defender but shot wide. Another chance went a begging in the 71st minute when Wood on the left crossed to the far post where Steventon was but from six yards out on his own headed over the bar.
In the 77th minute Alonso on the edge of the area saw shot easily saved, then five minutes later an Evans corner to the near post saw Tommy Fagg’s flicked header go just over the bar. In added on time four minutes to be precise Casuals got their second a free kick to the back post saw Alonso on his own power his header past Hadler. The final whistle went and most of the supporters were happy and on that show they should at least be in the play-offs.
Faversham Town:
- T.Hadler (Debut) 2. J.Hare (Debut) 3. B.Simms 4. T.Fagg 5. J.Steventon (Debut) 6. L.Allen (86, Debut)
7. N.Wood (82) 8. J.Evans (Debut) 9. I.Olutade (90, Debut) 10. E.Amgbaduba (67, Debut) 11. E.Smith (82)
Subs Used: 12. K.Haysman (67) 14. J.Parter (82) 17. J.Ajayi (82) 15. M.Newman (86) 18. L.Diamond (90)
Subs Not Used: 19. R.Fox 24. L.Sherriff
Bookings: 2. J.Hare (90+4)
Corinthian Casuals:
- D.Wloch 2. M.Kellett-Smith 3. T.Falodi 4. C.Everitt 5. C.Alonso 6. M.Travers (54)
7. A.Zapata (45) 8. L.Quincey 9. F.Osunkeya 10. Z.Ejata (66) 11. E.Hepwood (75)
Subs Used: 15. T.Bland (45) 14. G.Hockey (54) 16. Z.Jakubowski (66) 12. S.Day (75)
Subs Not Used: All Used
Bookings: 3. T.Falodi (59)
Referee: Mr J.Gray
Assistants: Mr S.Grant & Mr B.Harrold
Att: 317