The top two sides in the Ryman South played out a hard-fought draw at Salters Lane, but for two sides with 194 goals between them this season, neither could add to their tally.
Wayne Wilson had the golden opportunity of the match in the 8th minute, however his penalty hit the left hand post, and after this neither goalkeeper’s clean sheet was truly threatened.
With Folkestone closing the gap for second place to two points with just five games remaining, Lillywhite’s manager Ray Turner still looked upon this as a good point against a side who have swept most teams before them in the league. He admitted “In terms of the organisation of the opposition, they are a strong side who play at a high level, but it swung on a couple of chances which could have changed the dynamic of the game.”
“It was a high quality game given the conditions. For me, they wanted to come for a point, and they got what they came for. They frustrated us a little bit, but the boys dealt with that very well. There seemed to be no direct shots for Frenchy to save, and I thought we were very sound defensively. It is easy to over-chase these games and risk getting caught on the breakaway, and I was very conscious of that.”
“I can’t be critical (of Wayne Wilson), but they are the fine margins that can win you these sort of games. He been fantastic for us this season and had another good game today. But we do have to be more ruthless with these opportunities.”
“It was a good advert for the league, and it shows how far we have come (as a team) that we can match that sort of opposition. I’ve built this team since we last played them, and I’m very proud of the players today. On an early reflection of the game, I think we were the better side although they were set up very defensively. They came for the point, but I feel we got the balance right. It was two very evenly matched teams today.”
After their 5-0 midweek victory over Carshalton, Faversham started the game confidently and created the first chance in the 8th minute. Jack Harris headed Jamie Maxted’s long ball forward back to the edge of the area. Charley Robertson nipped in to poke the ball past Toby Pointing, and went over the full-back’s challenge with Mr Lowe pointing to the spot. However, 21-goal midfielder Wayne Wilson’s effort from 12 yards cannoned to safety off the left hand upright.
At the other end, Burgess Hill appealed loudly for a penalty of their own when Scott Kirkwood fell under the challenge of Maxted. But this time Mr Lowe pointed for a defensive freekick and booked Kirkwood for simulation.
The blustery wind wasn’t helping the quality of football as both teams resorted to a long ball game down the middle of the field, with neither team’s wide men able to find the time or space to create anything. In the first period, most of Faversham’s efforts to get forward drifted harmlessly over the Hillians’ defence, while the only times that Rob French was called into action was to pluck crosses out of the air.
Wilson did get a shot on target from a 30-yard freekick, but both sides appeared frustrated at the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern, although Faversham did have a 15-minute spell midway through where the Hillians’ defence seemed to lose their composure. Wilson kick-started the period by intercepting the ball on halfway, and releasing Stuart King through the inside-left channel. King twisted past Andy Pearson and fired a left-foot shot agonisingly past the right post.
Rob O’Toole put a header into French’s arms as Burgess Hill looked to move quickly from back to front, but the home side were starting to press higher up the pitch. A Robertson run caused panic, which led to a cross in from the right by Jack Sullivan. Josh James punched to the edge of the area, where Wilson attempted a deft lob back over the keeper; and over the bar.
Substitute Dean Grant then released King through the inside left. Pearson seemed to be caught out as King got the ball stuck under his feet, allowing the forward time and space to turn, but again the effort drifted into the stand behind the goal.
Dave Botterill, the only change from the team midweek, was having an outstanding game, complimenting Wilson in the middle of the team, and time & again, it was either his head, or that of Ashley Brown rising to repel long balls towards the Faversham area. Even when Burgess Hill did get a sighter from distance late on, Lee Harding couldn’t make a clean contact, with the chance bobbling harmlessly through to French.
FAVERSHAM TOWN: Rob French, Jack Sullivan, Jamie Maxted, Wayne Wilson, John Scarborough, Ashley Brown, Charley Robertson, David Botterill, Jack Harris (Dean Grant ), Stuart King, Josh Stanford.
Subs not used: Matthew Bourne, George Monger, Daniel King, Chris Webber.
Bookings: John Scarborough 36, Dean Grant 69
BURGESS HILL TOWN: Josh James, Toby Pointing, Sam Fisk, Darren Budd (Dan Pearse 76). Andy Pearson, Will Miles, Scott Kirkwood, Joe Keehan, Pat Harding (Callum Saunders 86), Dan Perry (Lee Harding 69), Rob O’Toole.
Subs not used: Graham Martin, Spencer Slaughter.
Booking: Scott Kirkwood 11
Attendance: 335
Referee: Mr Michael Lowe
Assistants: Mr Ian Homewood and Mr Craig Simpson