Faversham ended their season in disappointing fashion as Merstham beat them in a penalty shootout, after a goalless 120 minutes.

The game started with both sides being cagey with the prize of promotion in the distance, the first chance of the game came in the 17^th minute when a Wayne Wilson free kick to the back post was headed back by Dave Botterill for Ashley Brown whose shot was cleared off the line by Anton Douglas.

This should have settled Faversham’s nerves but they still looked nervous, Merstham were playing some nice football but not creating or causing any problems.

In the 27^th minute a Robert French long kick was flicked on by Botterill for Wilson whose shot from 25 yards flew over the bar. Merstham had their first half chance in the 42^nd minute when Fabio Saraiva’s free kick into the area saw French flap at it & luckily for Faversham they were able to clear it.

The second half was only two minutes old when a long ball forward saw Taurean Roberts beat Jamie Maxted & his shot was deflected past the onrushing French.

In the 52^nd minute Faversham had a glorious chance to take the lead when Wilson’s free kick was flicked to the back post where John Scarborough was but stretching he couldn’t get a touch to it.

Merstham were now getting into the game & in the 62^nd minute Roberts on the right wing saw his inviting cross evade everyone.

Merstham nearly scored in the 68^th minute when much travelled Peter Adeniyi found himself in the area & he twisted & turned the defenders before shooting but luckily for Faversham it was deflected for a corner, another glorious chance came two minutes later when Roberts on the right swung in his cross & Simon Cooper 6 yards out headed over the bar.

In the 85^th minute Faversham were a whisker away from winning when a long ball forward saw Stuart King latch onto it in the area & his shot was blocked but came to Josh Stanford who from 10 yards saw his shot go inches past the post.

As time ticked into added on time Saraiva saw his fee kick deflected away for a corner & in the last seconds of the game Roberts was put through but again his shot was deflected for a corner.

Full time arrived & both coaches had work to do to get their players going for another half an hour & more.

Extra time started with Merstham on the attack & in the 95^th minute Douglas 30 yards out saw his shot surprise French who just caught it.

The home crowd thought their team had scored in the 99^th minute when for the first time in the match Wilson had a free kick 30 yards out & after Saturday fancied his chances but although it curled over the wall & beat Brannon Daly it hit the crossbar & went over for a goal kick.

In the 103^rd minute King & Robertson combined in the area & Robertson’s shot was deflected for a corner & from the corner into the area it was cleared but only to Aiden Sherlock who crossed into the area for Ashley Brown but his header went past the post.

The last chance of the game came in the 109^th minute when Maxted crossed into the area for Robertson but his header went wide.

The final 11 minutes saw both sides play for penalties & the final whistle went & now it was down to would hold their nerve.

Faversham took the first penalty & up stepped King but his penalty was saved by Daly diving to his left. Saraiva stepped up & scored, Robertson did the same & so did Roberts.

Maxted stepped up & scored, Folkes scored & Wilson did the same, Henriques stepped up & made it four out of four, the pressure was now on Webber but he calmly scored now Adeniyi stepped up & this to win & he was the calmest man on the pitch as he sent French the wrong way & Merstham completed a clean sweep of penalties & were now on their way to Folkestone.

 

FAVERSHAM TOWN:

1. FRENCH 2. A.BROWN  3. J.MAXTED  4. W.WILSON  5. J.SCARBOROUGH  6. M.BOURNE  7. C.ROBERTSON 8. A.SHERLOCK 9. J.HARRIS (82)  10. D.GRANT (74)  11. D.BOTTERILL

SUBS USED: 14. J.STANFORD ( 74, 90+1) 17. C.WEBBER (90+1)

SUBS NOT USED: 15. G.MONGER  16. D.KING

BOOKINGS: 4. W.WILSON (19)  3. J.MAXTED (89)

 

MERSTHAM:

1. DALY 2. S.COOPER   3. A.DOUGLAS   4. K.MIRAH-GIBBS  5. M.OKOYE  6. T. HENRIQUES  7. T.ROBERTS8. P.ADENIYI 9. T.HUTCHINS (107)  10. F.SARAIVA  11. A.RHULE (77)

SUBS USED: 12. R. HAIL  14. O.FOLKES

SUBS NOT USED: 15. J.KAFFO  16. D. GUNNER  17. Y.MAKIESE

BOOKINGS: 11. A.RHULE (42)  7. T.ROBERTS (55)

 

REFEREE: Mr A.AJIBOLA

ASSISTANTS: Mr G.SWANTON & Mr C.FARRELL

4^TH OFFICIAL: Mr A.PARKER

ATTENDANCE: 628