CHAMPIONS: Faversham Town 8-0 Corinthian - Luchford: I feel on top of the world!

But take nothing away from Faversham – this was a display of champions, a point that Corinthian manager Tony Sitford was eager to emphasise as he spoke with www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the game. 

He said: “We’ve come here tonight and in the first half we’ve done well, but they’ve thoroughly deserved to win the game – they’re top dogs and won more games than anyone else – I don’t have a problem when a team goes out and performs against us like that.  They did it the right way, they won it quite convincingly, and in the right manner so well done to them.”
 
A naturally delighted Justin Luchford then spoke with www.kentishfootball.co.uk.  A beaming Faversham boss was smiling from ear to ear when he said, “And what a feeling it is to!  I think we really deserved it, we’ve been one of the most consistent teams all year – when we’ve lost we’ve bounced straight back – we’ve been top since the end of August – we’ve beaten the other two top sides, Herne Bay and Hythe, twice home and away and these lads deserve to be Champions.”
 
In the run in, manager Luchford had appeared calm throughout, yet even that steely outer appearance had been breached in the hours before kick off.

“I must admit that for the first time on the way down from work tonight, and when I got into the bar when I got here I said that we need to do it tonight, in front of our own fans. 

“I feel on top of the world at the moment and it hasn’t sunk in yet.  But when I sit down and start reading things and things start coming through on emails and I find out when the Ryman League fixtures come out I suppose then it will really sink in.  You ask any Kent League manager and they’ll tell you that it’s hard word – its damned hard work and that’s what makes tonight like tonight even more special.”
 
And special is certainly a word to describe his sides second half performance, as following Skelton’s goal on 47 minutes Faversham simply moved effortlessly through the gears, and in the end Corinthian’s young side simply wilted under the constant bombardment – indeed the final corner count of 16-0 in the home sides favour really does say it all.
 
Faversham went three up on 53 minutes when Skelton bagged his second when he headed home Smissen’s cross to cap a brilliant move started by keeper Rob French. 

It was four nil on 68 minutes, when substitutes John Paul Collier and Richard Sinden combined – Collier’s shot was well save by Young, but the keeper couldn’t hold on and Sinden bundled the ball over the line just 120 seconds after coming on for Skelton.

It became a five star display on 77 minutes when again Sinden was on hand to score – this time flicking home Lee Shearer’s header from a corner. 

Five become six, when a deep Dane Luchford cross from the right found Dave Soutan at the back post and his header looped almost apologetically over Young and into the net.
 
Then came the seventh on 89 minutes (from substitute John-Paul Collier) and what a way to cap a season and a performance like this. 

Manager Luchford described it so well when we spoke to him post match that we’ll leave the description to him. 

He said, “I honestly don’t know what he was doing if I’m honest.  He’s beat a player in the middle of the pitch; he’s cut inside, and I didn’t want him to cut inside; he’s then cut back inside, which again I didn’t want him to do, and then I don’t want him to shoot from 25 yards and he’s done that with his wrong foot and put it in the top corner!  What can I say to something like that?  Its outstanding, and that boy is outstanding.”
 
There was even still time for Smissen to burst through and drill home his 19th goal of the season drilling the ball under young after being played through by Dane Luchford. 

In his frustration, defender Jamie Billings booted the ball high into the night sky and, given the circumstances was the ridiculously shown a second yellow card by referee Gorvett – a decision that had players from both sides asking the official to change his mind. 
 
It was a sour note to end what has really been Faversham Town’s remarkable season. 

Five years ago lets remember the club was on its knees before they returned to the Kent League.  On Sunday, they won the Senior Trophy for the first time since 1978, and these three points mean that the club has now won the Kent league title for the fifth time and their first title since 1990. 
 
www.Kentishfootball.co.uk would like to congratulate the Lilywhites on their wonderful season. 
 
The Ryman League had better look out – after the success that Ramsgate, Cray Wanderers and Maidstone United achieved when they arrived as Kent League Champions, it could be a very interesting season for all at Salters Lane – watch out Ryman, Faversham Town are heading your way!
 
Faversham Town: Rob French, Shane Hamshare, Dan Larkin, Tom Hickman, Ashley Brown, Lee Shearer, Dane Luchford, Damian Abel (Dave Soutan 65), Michael Smissen, Dale Skelton (Richard Sinden 65), Dave Botterill (John Paul Collier 58).
Subs: Michael Dodsworth, Steve O’Brien
 
Goals: Dale Skelton 32, 53, Dane Luchford 47, Richard Sinden 68, 77, Dave Soutan 83, John Paul Collier 89, Michael Smissen 90

Corinthian: Martyn Young, Daniel McNeill Nash, Alastair Reed, Jamie Billings, Rees Boyle, Joe Risby, Ray Mifan (Anthony Steel 68), Sam Jeffries (Graeme Hugan 78), James Morgan, David Bryant (Sam Hasler 53). Jamie Taylor.
Sub: Sadiq Balarabe

Booked: Jamie Billings 62

Sent off: Jamie Billings 90

Attendance: 218
Referee: Mr P Govett
Assistants:  Mr D Smart & Mr K May