Guernsey away

[shoutymark]

Well, all I can say is "Wish I Was There!".

Possibly, probably, hopefully, our last trip to the island for a season or two.

So I'm hoping we make the most of it.

To the Board and staff: Enjoy the trip. Who'd have thought a few years back that Faversham Town FC would be flying off for a league fixture. That's down to your building of the Club that is.

To the Fans making the trip: Have a laugh. It's an experience you won't forget. I had a great time last year. Looking forward to hearing all about it on the halfway line.

To the Team: Do yourselves proud. It's a big crowd - show 'em your stuff. Three points.

And for those of us back home in Kent. As the match kicks off, you know what to roar: VIENNE SUR VOUS BLANCS!

VSVB!

[FAV Army]

Guernsey 0 Faversham Town 2 (Deano 54 and Willo 66).

What a brilliant win!

To the details:

A lightning start and we could be 1-0 up in a little more than a minute, as a quick one-two between Jack and Dean sends the latter through - he shoots wide. A good chance too.

Deano goes close again fairly early on and their excellent keeper claws away a few threatening Willo set-pieces from the left.

We are having more of the game, although, they do look to be growing into it the more the first half progresses.

Then, about 10 minutes before half-time, the ref hands out about three yellow cards inside 2 minutes (mostly to Guernsey players).

But, this has riled the home side and the crowd spring to life and there are a few feisty challenges, which leads to a really frantic end to the half.

But still no goals.

Much like in the first half, we again get a very good chance quickly after the restart.

This time, it's Jack with a lovely piece of skill to slip past the final Guernsey defender before his shot is well blocked by the keeper.

Jack has another good chance before the opener but the home goalkeeper makes another good save. But promising signs from Jack, who had a good game, and seems to be edging back towards his best form. He just needs that one goal.

Then, on 54, the breakthrough!

No prizes for guessing the scorer, as Josh does well to hook the ball forward under severe pressure from a few players and Deano springs the offside trap, then finds the net with the Guernsey goalie finally beaten.

Guernsey look for a quick response. After a quick free-kick, a certain Mr Allen flashes inches wide having turned on the edge of the box.

Seconds later, Willo delivers from the right and Charley meets the ball perfectly, only to see his volley crack against the crossbar with the keeper again helpless.

However, the skipper does make it 2-0 on 66!

Deano initially does well, Charley battles (fairly) with their goalkeeper for possession and the ball pops out to Willo, who finds the virtually empty net, despite the best efforts of one Guernsey defender.

Naturally, Guernsey really go all guns blazing in the final 20 minutes and make some attacking changes.

However, the defence hold strong - and on the rare occasions they were beaten - Frenchie was on hand to make the saves!

As the match becomes more stretched late on, we have further chances to extend our lead.

Ren immediately tested the goalkeeper with virtually his first touch at the start of stoppage-time after Jack S headed in a Willo corner, only for the goal to be ruled out (what for, nobody really seemed to know?)

But anyway, it matters very little and we hold on for the final few minutes to seal the victory!

So, as Dave won't be doing it this week, I'll take over - reasons to be positive:

1) Make no mistake, Guernsey are a good side - but also - 2-0 really doesn't tell the story. Their keeper was excellent and he really had to be, otherwise it would have been a cricket score.
2) I have literally found it impossible to name a MOM - I guess it would be between Frenchie, Willo, Josh, George, Charley, Deano and maybe Jack but that is harsh on the others because, if you were giving marks out 10, everybody would have got 8 IMO (please don't ask me to pick one).
3) I think this was missed on Tuesday night. We scored our 100th competitive goal of the season, we are now on 91 goals in the league with nine to play.
4) Botts is back and came off the bench - that's how strong our squad is. Botts is coming off our bench!
5) Corinthian Casuals 0-0 Folkestone Invicta, South Park 1-1 Merstham. Get in!

So, back to business at Salters Lane on Saturday and another tough fixture against Whyteleafe (who got a good win over Three Bridges). However, we are 20 points clear of them with 27 to play for in the league - a win on Saturday and a play-off position is almost mathematically guaranteed.

Let's make it happen, see you there.

FAV Army!

[dave]

What a fantastic, fantastic result. What a miss, I'd love to have been there.
Really tough, in form opposition, away from home. A fine result.

The FTFC text came through as I was watching Whitstable lose to T&M.
A Faversham cheer went up amongst the Oyster Swallowing fraternity. Their
song not mine. (How many oysters can one swallow? - a lot it would seem).

So, to hijack ShoutyMark's format:

a) To Fav Army: For the reporting. Top drawer stuff. When you miss
a game, it makes you realise just how important this information is. How many times did I
check my phone? A fantastic service.
b) To the travelling fans. Top marks.
c) To the team and management. Amongst many fine away results, this has to be right up there.
I'm out of superlatives. Brilliant, brilliant. What a season.

Can't wait to get to Salters Lane on Saturday.