We just froze on the big stage, admits Copley

Faversham Town manager Paul Copley's hopes of a dream start to the season were cruelly shattered on Saturday as Erith Town visited Salters Lane for the opening fixture of the new Kent Premier League campaign and hit five goals without reply, writes Tony Gray.

To make matters worse two former Lilywhites played significant roles in the destruction of the home side.

Former Faversham Town captain James Holder returned to Faversham wearing the skipper's armband for the visitors accompanied by former Faversham Town striker Anthony Pace.

Holder put in a solid performance in defence whilst Pace came off the bench to score twice for the North Kent side.

Despite a cagey start from both sides Erith soon started to dominate, the Faversham Town midfield failing to settle and always looked to be in-effective.

The home side gave away possession at almost every opportunity were lucky not to concede on 30 minutes when keeper Rob Lindley cleared from the edge of his area only as far as Mo Cho whose looping header flew back over Lindley to be scrambled off the goal line.

A second goal line clearance followed 2 minutes later when a James Holder header was cleared away by Mark Smith.

Faversham's luck ran out on 34 minutes when Marcus Cassius was allowed the space to run down the right side of play evading a challenge to cut inside where his shot on target easily beat Lindley in the Faversham goal.

Erith continued to push and could have had a second before the half ended with Kevin George going close with a shot that narrowly missed the target.

The interval appeared to change little as the visitors continued to dominate into the second half.

Copley attempted to change things on 55 minutes when Richie Radbourne made way for Ray Turner and for a ten minute spell the home side managed to string a few passes together although they failed to give Nick Wilson, in the Erith goal, any cause for concern.

Erith's second goal came on 72 minutes when Cassius was allowed a free run at goal, Lindley's indecison giving Cassius the luxury of being able to pick his spot.

Julian Beal replaced Jamie Stellon on the hour with Ricky Freeman coming off the bench on 70 minutes for Graham Taylor.

For the last period of the match the home side threw caution to the wind and pushed players forward, their vulnerability at the back becoming increasingly evident.

The Erith strikers continued to threaten the home goalmouth and saw them net three times in the final ten minutes with former Faversham Town hit-man Pace picking up two easy knock-ins either side of Erith's Portuguese winger Rolando Dou.

Following the defeat Copley told www.favershamtownfc.co.uk: "Today was a huge disappointment and a major anti climax after a super preseason.

“For me the lads simply froze, it was almost like they had stage fright!

“Going into today's game there was a tremendous buzz around the town about how promising the side was looking and the lads were aware of this.

“Any confidence that they had seemed to be drained from them right from the first whistle.

“ I spoke to the Erith manager, Mark Tompkins after the game and he told me that having watched our performance against Whitstable and knew that they would have one hell of a game on their hands but was surprised about how ineffective we were."

He continued: "I don't want to take anything away from their performance as Erith are a good side but the scoreline still flatters them.

“It was 2-0 until the 80th and we obviously threw caution to the wind but two of the goals after that were deflections and on other days that just wouln't have happened.

“But hands up we were beaten on the day by the better team, we'll take it on the chin, learn from it and come back a stronger club.

“We now have two games coming up three days and that's the best medicine for the guys at the moment.

“The FA Cup match at Lancing (being played at Steyning Town on Sunday) will be a tough one but I know we will give a better account of ourselves, after all we have our unbeaten away record this season to maintain!

“Lordswood at home will be special for Paul Piggott and a few of the lads and a chance to get off the mark in the league. It's time to correct a few wrongs."

Article courtesy of Tony Gray - www.favershamtownfc.co.uk