So often a Kent Derby fails to live up to its billing, but this cannot be said of this game as both sides produced a flowing enthralling contest (expertly officiated by Mr Bentley and his assistants) which left both sides being applauded from the Salters Lane pitch at the end of a pulsating sizzling Ryman South game.

Both Ray Turner and Nicky Southall after the game thought that their respective sides should have won; yet both too were happy with a  point – Turner as he was forced to play midfielder James Peacock in goal for the entire game after first choice Simon Overland was ill (if that wasn’t bad enough, Turner then lost first choice centre half Toby Ashmore through injury in the warm up) whilst Southall was delighted that his side had followed up Saturday’s magnificent win at Leatherhead with another away day point!

The game started as it was to continue throughout an absorbing evening with the first surprise arriving with the team sheet that showed James Peacock in goal for Faversham ahead of the unwell Simon Overland.  And what a night he was to have – but more on that shortly.

On 2 minutes Jamie Maxted powered a header just past Luke Watkins right post for the home side and five minutes later former Lordswood team mates combined to come within a fraction of giving Whitstable the lead.  Peter Huggens, who along with John Guest at the heart of the Oystermen’s defense was immense, sent a long ball forward for Adam Hooper to run onto, and as Peacock came out Hooper had the presence of mind to lift the ball over the keeper only to see it bounce the wrong side of the left post.

Back came the home side and one incredible sequence.  Aaron Lacy and Luke Harvey combined down the right for Harvey to be denied by a combination of Guest and keeper Watkins and as the ball ran free for Wayne Wilson his pile driver was magnificently tipped over by a flying Watkins.  Whitstable responded with a  break down the right and from Steve Hafner’s cross Charlie Smith will be disappointed that his didn’t hit the target from 6 yards.

Hafner soon had a guilt edged chance to put the visitors into the lead, as Ashley Brown completely misjudged the bounce of a long forward ball by Joe Kane and as Smith looked destined to score, Brown flattened the Young striker and was duly booked for his troubles.  Hafner strode forward to put the ball on the spot and drove his spot kick low and firmly to the keepers right.  Sadly for Hafner, Peacock not only produced a remarkably magnificent save, he also had the presence of mind to pounce on the rebound before a red shirt could recover.  Manager Turner had no complaints about the award as he honestly admitted afterwards, “I’d have been disappointed if we hadn’t got it at the other end!”

Then on the stroke of half time, Faversham so very nearly opened the scoring.  Again Lacy and Harvey combined down the right and Harvey’s driven cross was palmed away by Watkins to Botterill who should probably have hit the target with his shot but it flew straight at Brendon Cass who couldn’t divert the ball goal wards and the chance was gone.

The second half continued with much the same pattern – first Faversham had then chance and then Whitstable came back!  Hafner again did well out wide and this time his cross fell to Smith who’s volley flew straight at Peacock, and whilst some recognised keepers would have parried the ball away, the stand in stood his ground and held on for a really good save.  Not to let the “goalkeepers union” down, Watkins then excelled with an exceptional low save to deny Dave Botterill who was put through by Harvey.

Renford Tenyue was introduced by Turner with 20 minutes left and within three minutes came agonisingly close.  Harvey burst into the box and although his first shot was only half blocked by Watkins, the second was brilliantly blocked by Guest.  This though didn’t stop the ball from rebounding to Tenyue who seemed to have the goal at his mercy from inside the six yard box, just somehow from nowhere Kane cleared the ball off the line and away to safety.  Some Faversham players appealed for the goal, but Mr Bentley (aided by Mr Burman who was right up with play on the goal line) waved away the protests.

Up the other end Whitstable went and from Scott Heard’s corner Guest rose like a salmon to thump a header against the angle of post and bar.  Indeed such was the power of the header that the rebound flew 20 yards outside of the area.  The final chance of the game fell to Smith but he was denied by a fabulous tackle from Matt Bourne and the game finished nil nil!

Some local derbies can be lame boring affairs and often finish goal less – this one certainly broke that mould and proved to be a tale of two keepers – a stand in who made a stunning penalty save, and a youngster looking to establish himself who produced four saves of the highest order.  All in all a super game that ended with honours very much even!

FAVERSHAM TOWN – James Peacock, Aaron Lacy, Jamie Maxted, Dan King (James Etherington 90), Matt Bourne, Ashley Brown, Darren Marsden, Wayne Wilson, Brendon Cass (Renford Tenyue 68), Luke Harvey, Dave Botterill

Subs not used – Ira Jackson, Danny Hockton & Kieran Oliver

WHITSTABLE TOWN – Luke Watkins, Joe Kane, Craig McGuire (Lawrence Harvey 68), Steve Hafner, John Guest, Peter Huggens, Scott Heard, Daniel Keyte (James Morrish 55), Charlie Smith (Jordan Wells 75), Jack Simon, Adam Hooper

Subs not used – Joe Lester & Billy Cobb

Referee – I Bentley
Assistants – G Heron & T Burman