Faversham Town 1-0 Sevenoaks Town - We're nearly over that line, says Luchford

Tuesday 13th April 2010

FAVERSHAM TOWN 1-0 SEVENOAKS TOWN

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Tuesday 13th April 2010

Mike Green reports from Salters Lane

SUPER-SUB Richard Sinden's 80th minute diving header leaves Justin Luchford's Faversham Town side possibly just 24 hours way from being crowned Kent League Champions after a gritty and intriguing win over Sevenoaks Town.

Sinden's header from Damien Abel’s right wing cross now means that if Herne Bay drop any points against Lordswood on Wednesday and Fisher at the weekend - both games at Winch’s Field - the Lilywhites will be Champions before they play again in the League against Corinthian at Salters Lane in eight days time.

Talking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the game the Faversham boss conceded that, “It was hard fought win tonight,” he said. “Considering the conditions and the strong wind I thought both sides are to be credited for playing some great football today.

“ You know Sevenoaks shocked me as I thought they’d be tired as they’ve just played three games in six days but they weren’t.

“And I must admit that I’m really pleased that they made the Cup Final as over the season they’ve deserved so much credit for what they’ve achieved.

“I thought we were good tonight and not because we played good football with good passing (after all everyone keeps telling me we’re the worst footballing side in the league). It was the way we worked as a unit and defended as a team that pleased me tonight – yes I know they hit the post from 20 yards in the first half but Rob (French) didn’t have a save to make – three games, three clean sheets at this stage of the season is outstanding.

“I haven’t got a bad word to say about my bunch tonight – they were absolutely outstanding and just earned that tonight.”

Sinden’s header – his second winning goal in successive games – means that Faversham are so agonisingly close to the Kent League title, but as far as their manager is concerned, the Lilywhites are still as far away from the title as they were on the opening day of the season.

Luchford said, “We’re certainly in a good position. Lets be honest about it – we’ve got two games to go and we need a point. I said when we were on that run at the start of the season and people were already talking about the title then, I told them, “Don’t talk to me about till there’s five games to go!” and I think I’ve been proved right.

“We have got a real, real chance, and we’re nearly over that line. Its going to take some unbelievable performances from Herne Bay (and that honestly wouldn’t shock me at all) but as I said in the programme tonight, we can’t celebrate tonight even with the win – we’d be fools to celebrate, and moreover I think it would be disrespectful to Herne Bay to celebrate.

“Herne Bay have worked very hard all season with a very young side. We can enjoy Sunday now on a high and enjoy the Kent Senior Trophy Final at welling and then we’ve got three days to work hard and potentially win the league here next Wednesday.

“We could be Champions by then, but I for one wont be betting against Herne bay to win their next two fixtures at home – they’re going to be favourites in both games and we’ve got to assume that they’re going to win both of them. If they don’t then and only then can we celebrate.”

The scenes though of celebration amongst the Salters Lane faithful when Sinden stooped to head home Abel’s cross showed that few of them agree with their manager. That said, what might have happened if Joe Minter’s low drive for Sevenoaks had crept in the corner rather than clipping the left post in the 27th minutes remains to be seen, but in truth by that stage, Sevenoaks keeper Adam Porter had pulled off a really fine save to deny Dane Luchford low to his left and the second Faversham upped the tempo after the break and despite forcing a succession of corners failed to make any count. Ironically the closest the leaders came was when Charlie Burgess dived to head clear Abel’s cross only for the ball to fly just over his own crossbar.

Dan Larkin then flighted in a pinpoint cross for Lee Shearer, but the veteran’s header floated across the face of goal when all it needed was any type of touch to go in.

On 79 minutes Porter was so nearly embarrassed when a long throw into the box ricocheted off his knees and away to safety.

It delayed what seemed to be the inevitable though for barely 60 seconds, as Able did brilliantly well down the right and just as the assistant was waving for a foul, the cross was whipped over for the diving Sinden and the substitute did the rest.

As rain swept across the ground at the final whistle, you couldn’t help but think they were “tears” of joy for the long suffering football fans of Faversham, not that the manager would still be drawn on next season.

“I won’t allow myself to plan for next year,” he admitted. “After the start we made (and I know I keep going on about it) but I seriously didn’t expect that start but it did make us start thinking of what might be and I’ve promised myself all season that I wont talk about it until its all done.

“I won’t celebrate until its done and I’m certainly not going to start watching any Ryman League football until it is done – that’s me, it a personal thing but its something that I just wont do – next Wednesday though “may” be slightly different!”

Faversham Town: Rob French, Shane Hamshare, Dan Larkin, Tom Hickman, Ashley Brown, Lee Shearer, Dane Luchford (John Paul Collier 81), Damian Abel (Michael Dodsworth 86), Michael Smissen (Richard Sinden 65), Dave Soutan, Dave Boterill.
Subs: Steve O’Brien, Nick Shaw.

Goal: Richard Sinden 80

Booked: Dane Luchford 59, Damian Abel 64

Sevenoaks Town: Adam Porter, Charlie Burgess, Michael Cook, Ossie Bartram, Jamie Jonston, Makan Fotana, Joe Minter, Daniel Twin, Bedar Mohammed (Billy Shinners 89). Tony Atkins, Chris Walker (Daniel Akpoveta 81).

Attendance: 167
Referee:
Assistants: