Faversham Town remain at the top of the Ryman South after a convincing 3-0 win at home to local rivals Sittingbourne.

With just seven miles separating a large crowd was expected to see if Faversham could build on their recent form to remain at the top of the table after going top the previous match day against Horsham; the lilywhites hadn’t lost in the league since early November meaning they were favourites when Sittingbourne came to Salters Lane in 12^th. After a good start to the season the Brickies have drifted down the table and came into the game having not won in three league games.

The Faversham side was unchanged from their 2-1 win at Horsham whereas Nick Davies made three changes to his side who lost 2-0 at home to Guernsey the previous week, Gary Webb came in for George Crimmen in midfield and there were two changes up front, Joe Nwoko and Ellie Kayembe were replaced by Harry Smith and David Abe.

Faversham kicked off and within the opening minutes showed their capabilities when Jamie Maxted won the ball before playing it across to Dean Grant but the striker’s curling shot was easily held by Adam Molloy.

Molloy’s opposite number, Simon Overland was forced off early in the game when he collided with Hicham Akhazzan; the goalkeeper was taken off on a stretcher after an injury to his right leg. Robert French took over in goal for Faversham for the remainder of the game.

Despite this setback, Faversham pushed forward and had another opportunity to sore soon after when, after receiving the ball with his back to goal, Dean Grant was able to turn past his marker and hit a low shot which Molloy was able to easily save.

This Faversham pressure was rewarded after 25 minutes when they were able to take the lead, Wayne Wilson’s free kick from the right fell towards the unmarked Grant at the far post who guided his header over Molloy, off the post and in at the top corner to give Faversham a 1-0 lead with his 11^th goal of the season.

The goal seemed to further inspire Faversham who continued to push forward; Jack Harris, another attacking player played a ball between the Sittingbourne centre backs into the path of Josh Stanford who put the ball onto his right foot, only to use his left to take the shot which rolled agonisingly wide of the target.

Eventually, Sittingbourne were able to get their way back into the game and had their best chance of the half to score when, from a counter attack the ball fell to Gary Webb but the midfielder’s half- volley was bravely blocked from close range by Jamie Maxted.

The hosts were relentless when pushing forward and they had another chance after Maxted’s block when French’s long kick fell into the path of Jack Harris, two successive tackles on Harris and Charley Robertson meant that the ball eventually came to Dean Grant on the edge of the area but the scorer’s weak shot was deflected and easily saved. The lilywhites’ final chance of the half came to Harris but, after receiving the ball from midfield he cut inside and out before eventually hitting a low shot towards the far post which Adam Molloy brilliantly tipped around the post to keep the Faversham lead at one goal at half time.

Molloy couldn’t do anything about Faversham’s second goal, which was scored in the opening minute of the second half. After Josh Stanford won the ball in midfield he ran at the brickies defence before playing the ball across to Jack Harris whose shot from close range was blocked by Ollie Brown before the ball fell to Charley Robertson, the right winger’s initial shot was saved but he was able to score on the rebound to double his side’s lead.

The visitors refused to give up the game and used the goal to try and build up a string of opportunities, this began well when harry Smith found David Abe on from the right side but the striker’s shot was blocked, forcing the ball into the path of Gary Webb who sliced his volley over Robert French’s goal.

This turned out to be one of the visitor’s only chances of the second half as Faversham continued to dominate; in a move similar to the first goal, Wayne Wilson’s free kick fell to Dean Grant at the far post but this time the striker powerfully volleyed his effort wide.

Faversham extended their lead even further when Josh Stanford, yet again, made a quick, skilful run at the defence who were unable to clear the loose ball allowing Charley Robertson to hit a shot into the top corner of the goal for his second of the game.

After Robertson scored Faversham’s 69^th goal of the season, the game began to slow down, Sittingbourne began to retain possession better but were unable to create any chances as the full time whistle approached.

That win ensures that Faversham remain at the top of the Ryman South, two points above Merstham with a game in hand. They were also able to protect their record of scoring in every league game this season. This was their final game of 2014 as they will now face Herne Bay at the Safety Net Stadium on New Year’s Day before they return to Salters Lane on 3rd January to face Chipstead.

Sittingbourne remain in 12^th after that defeat but are still in danger of slipping into a relegation fight as the season develops; they will now prepare for another Kent derby as Folkestone Invicta travel to Woodstock Park on New Year’s Day before the brickies travel to Whyteleafe two days later.

Faversham Town: Overland (French), Sherlock, Maxted, Wilson, Bourne, Brown, Robertson, Botterill (Monger), Harris, Grant (Oliver), Stanford

Subs not used: Scarborough, Bewick

Sittingbourne: Molloy, Brunt, Richardson, Harden (Kaybybe), Brown, Bankole, P Smith, Webb (Davis), H Smith, Abe, Akhazzan (Nwoko)

Sub not used: Pleau

Booked: Abe, P Smith

Attendance: 463