A long range strike from Wayne Wilson was enough for Faversham Town to return to second place in the Ryman South but the top spot in the division is no longer possible for the Lilywhites.

Due to Folkestone Invicta’s win the previous day meant that Faversham dropped down to third place in the Ryman Football League Division One South but the hosts knew a draw would put them back into second place, giving them home advantage in the playoffs.

Their task wouldn’t be easy though, despite Tooting and Mitcham beginning the day in eleventh they travelled to Salters Lane being unbeaten in the league since January.

Ray Turner made two changes from the side who kept leaders Burgess Hill Town scoreless in Faversham’s last game, these both came in attack with Dean Grant and George Monger taking the place of Jack Harris and Josh Stanford.

The only chance between the two teams in the opening few minutes came from the first corner of the game when Wayne Wilson’s cross fell onto the head of John Scarborough who steered his header onto the crossbar.

Over twenty minutes later Tooting had their first opportunity when Jamie Maxted’s mistake allowed Stefan Cox to take the ball and put a pass towards Billy Marshall but the midfielder was unable to control the ball, allowing Faversham to clear any danger.

The host’s set pieces continued to cause problems for Tooting and from another Wayne Wilson corner Faversham were close to scoring the opening goal, but after Wilson’s cross towards the far post was put pack towards the six yard box by Dean Grant, Stuart King’s shot from close range was brilliantly kept out by Alex Kozakis.

The last opportunity of the half also came from a cross when Stuart King’s shot was easily held after Dean Grant’s cross from the left, meaning the sides went into half time with the game goalless.

Continuing the theme of the first half, Faversham continued to control the game and created the most chances, the first of these coming after Wayne Wilson’s pass fell into the path of Stuart King but King’s effort simply rolled into the arms of Kozakis.

The host’s dangerous play on the wings continued to cause problems with Tooting struggling to cope with the physical presence of Faversham’s attacking players, first a cross from the left was headed towards goal by Dean Grant but he was denied by a wonderful save from Kozakis who did well to get down to his left and tip Grant’s header around the post.

Minutes later another cross from the right wing ended with Wayne Wilson not being able to stretch far enough for the midfielder to get any contact on the ball.

Although they were struggling to retain possession, Tooting and Mitcham were still pushing to score the opening goal but the closest they came was from a Dan Summers free kick, but the striker curled his shot inches over the crossbar.

Despite this chance, it was Faversham who were finally able to score the opening goal of the game with just under ten minutes remaining when Wayne Wilson collected a pass from the left wing before coming inside and hitting a low effort past Alex Kozakis’ near post from outside the area, giving just ten minutes for the lilywhites to keep their lead.

Tooting quickly came back and looked for a late equaliser when Sol Pinnock’s long range effort was tipped wide by Rob French before Dan Summers was unable to get a clean strike on the ball from Leon Lalor- Dell’s pass, allowing Faversham to gain all three points as they look to ensure they receive home advantage throughout the playoffs.

After Burgess Hill Town’s 2-0 win today Faversham are now unable to finish first, meaning that, if they are to get promoted, they will need to do it through the playoffs.

They will make the short trip to Sittingbourne on Easter Monday as they look to build momentum going into the playoffs, where they will face Whyteleafe as the current table stands.

 

Faversham Town: French, Sullivan (Bourne), Maxted, Wilson, Scarborough, Brown, Robertson (D King), Botterill, S King, Grant, Monger

Subs not used: Harris, Webber, Holcombe

Tooting and Mitcham United: Kozakis, Sebuliba (Lalor- Dell), Gordon, Quarm, Gonsalves, Knock, Cox, Marshall, Summers, Newton, Pinnock

Subs not used: Khan, Filipe, Yao, Aspinall