Vs Horsham

[FAV Army]

A really big game - at both ends of the table.

The draw with Sittingbourne on Monday means we are only second on goals scored, ahead of Folkestone - talk about tight!

Anyhow, that means we are in a strange situation.

The race for the runners-up spot is in both our's and Folkestone's hands (we could go out and we 3-0, but if they win 8-0, they will overtake us on goals scored anyway)!

Personally, I find it a shame Horsham are down the bottom of the league because they are a big club and a nice vocal group of supporters.

They are bottom of the league, although, 9th on the attendance figures, which tells you about all you need to know about how much of a mess they have been at times this season!

Being eight points off from safety with only three games to play, realistically, they will be relegated (barring a miracle).

However we have seen with the likes of Walton Casuals a few seasons ago that it isn't completely unheard of for a side to get a reprieve.

So, with the likes of Redhill and Ramsgate in sight, I'm sure they will be keen to still finish as high as they can.

Oh and they also have a new manager.

He was in charge at Hastings earlier this season, and according to their Forum, was in charge when Hastings surprisingly beat us 5-1!

Though, there is another record doing the rounds on the Horsham Forum that they supposedly haven't won in Kent all season.

Let's hope that is the record that is maintained on Saturday.

FAV Army!

[FAV Army]

Match preview - t.co/cZWrvBRBLc

FAV Army!

[dave]

Faversham Town 2-0 Horsham

Starting line up:

Rob French,
Aidan Sherlock, Ashley Brown, John Scarborough, Matt Bourne
Charley Robertson, Dave Botterill, Wayne Wilson, Josh Stanford,
Jack Harris, Dean Grant.

Comfortable.
Ok, a statement that requires some justiication. Up until 85, it
was only 1-0. A scoreline that ordinarily has the supporter on tenterhooks.
The equaliser is only a mistake away, a fluke away, a 30 yard piledriver away,
a trip in the box away etc, etc. But that didn't seem likely today. A fine
defensive display. I can't recall a Horsham chance.
At the other end. We've been more potent and clincal than today-but still we score twice.
So, I stick with comfortable as a fair analysis.

Looking through my notes, it's a catalogue of Faversham chances:

First Half:
1. Ashley Brown harries in midfield, a through ball to Josh Stanford, the low shot is wide of the left hand post.
2. A poor kick by the Horsham keeper, Dean Grant collects, shoots wide.
3. A Rob French free-kick, deep in our half, Jack Harris controls the bounce, shoots, keeper tips over.
4. Dave Botterill wins the header in midfield, to Charley Robertson who runs at the defence, perfect ball
to Dean Grant, right hand side of the area, low shot through the keepers' legs. Cool as you like.
Second Half:
5. A Wayne Wilson free-kick is well saved at the keepers' right hand post. Corner.
6. A Wayne Wilson looped corner, our left, John Scarborough header at the back stick. We're up celebrating-
thought it was in. Just over. Close.
7. A Wayne Wilson corner from our right. Dave Botterill meets, but over. Super delivery.
8. Jack Harris & Josh Stanford comnbine, Josh is through, keeper comes to the edge of his area and
smothers. Does well.
9. Aidan Sherlock feed Josh Stanford down the right, decent cross, Charley Robertson's header is just wide.

Josh Stanford soon after has to go off injured-looked like hamstring. Hope that's wrong. Stuart King is on.

10. Dave Botterill swings a fine ball into the path of Stuart King, the strike is just shy of the left hand
post. Fine, fine effort.
11. A Wayne Wilson corner from the right, Matt Bourne meets, it's going in, keeper makes a great save to his
right. Corner.

George Monger is on for Jack Harris.

12. Dean Grant is bundled to the ground, our right. Wayne Wilson free-kick, Good delivery, Matt Bourne
times his run, heads home. Perfectly executed. I love these type of goals. Simple, elegant. Crafted.

Jack Sullivan is on for Charley Robertson.

13. A fine team move results in an Ashley Brown piledriver from the right hand side of the area. Not far away.
14. George Monger, a fine turn and delivery, plays in Dean Grant, through on goal, but Dean blasts over.

And there were more chances. Unfortunately, I don't scribble as quickly as FAV Army. Does anyone?

So reasons to be cheerful:

a) as you were: still second in R1S
b) another clean sheet-is that 5 on the bounce
c) 2-0 and that was comfortable. According to the above 14-0 in chances (at least).
d) We always had another gear if required. Last 10-could have scored another 2.
e) a guaranteed top 3 in R1S.
f) I picked the National winner at 33-1. (took odds at betting time). Happy Days. I'll get my coat.

Sponsors' MOM: Josh Stanford.

[CJK]

Link to match video . . . youtu.be/1cx7Zhe-Qe0

[4500x]

I'm sure we all wish Josh well and a speedy recovery.  We want him back and fit asap!

Also want to thank Scott Davenport for taking control of the situation and carrying Josh off the pitch to avoid further injury damage (I would have good paid money to see Josh carry Scott! lol).  Well done to Scott for his help all season with the two great senior team keepers we have in Simon and Robert too.