Faversham went into their game against Tooting And Mitcham without any sort of match fitness, because of the recent weather this was going to be their first game of the new year.

After Folkestone drew in their early game against Guernsey, the hosts knew that a win would give them an opportunity to close the gap between themselves and their rivals, it wasn’t going to be easy for them though, Aaron lacy was suspended after his booking in their previous game against Sittingbourne, despite Tom Hickman training with the team again after his injury, he is still recovering, forcing Ray Turner to leave him out of the team.

With rain falling the previous night, and with many other games cancelled around the country the Shepard Neme stadium staff did well to allow the game to be played, but the wet surface wasn’t allowing quick passing, leaving both teams forced to play the ball in the air.

The visitors kicked off and had the first chance of the game straight away, a long pass from the Tooting defence fell to Frankie Sawyer, despite the lone striker being able to beat his marker his weak shot trickled wide.

Faversham came straight back and they should have scored on their first attack, Luke Harvey was able to cut inside from the left wing before his curling shot was deflected, Paul Smith was them able to tip the ball onto the post but it fell to the onrushing Ollie Bankole who hit the post from one yard away.

Directly after Harvey’s shot was deflected, he gave Faversham the lead, the hosts had been pressuring the Tooting defence all afternoon and this time it cost the visitors a goal, after a mix- up from Josh Turner and Bashiru Alimi, the striker pounced on a loose ball before sliding it between Paul Smith’s legs to give his team the first goal of the game.

The hosts had a chance straight after the goal to double their lead, but after a long ball forward, the best that Brendon Cass could do was turn past his marker and power a shot into the goalkeeper’s chest.

Tooting had their best chance of the first half through Jordan Cheadle, but the centre back was disappointed to see his powerful effort fly wide. Faversham took advantage of this miss and soon after they had doubled their lead. Darren Marsden’s free kick from the left wing flew over the huge group of players in the six yard box before landing perfectly on the head of unmarked centre back Matthew Bourne who placed the ball past the near post to give Faversham a two goal lead going into half time.

Tooting came out from half time looking a lot more alert and this was shown when they were able to score early in the second half, Harry Knock was given too much time on the left wing and his low cross was bundled in by Frankie Sawyer to give the terriers a chance to get a victory.

The chance of Tooting getting back into the game was severely reduced when Nathan Gordon was given a second yellow card after an awfully timed challenge on Aiden Sherlock, with the visitors down to ten men it looked even less likely that they would be travelling back to London with any points.

Despite this, Tooting continued to attack and they thought they had a penalty when, after dribbling through the entire defence, Cecil Jee went down after being tripped in the middle of a bunch of Faversham defenders, but the referee didn’t give anything, leaving the visitors frustrated with the amount of decisions in their favour.

This frustration continued after Faversham scored their third goal of the afternoon, from a Tooting corner the hosts were able to push forward in a swift counter attack, with the defence exhausted it was easy for Luke Harvey to put a simple cross in towards Brendon Cass for the striker to score his eleventh goal of the season.

Faversham finished as comfortable winners, they are still in 7th but were able to close the gap between themselves and Folkestone to two points, their next game will see them travel to 20th placed Whitstable on Tuesday before Worthing travel to Salters Lane on Saturday.

Faversham Town: Overland, Brown, Maxted (King), Sherlock, Bourne, Scarborough, Marsden, Bankole, Cass, Harvey (Hockton), Botterill (Tenyue)

Subs not used: Miller, Ashmore

Tooting And Mitcham: Smith, Turner, Gordon, Alimi, J Cheadle, Hartburn, Williams (Robinson), Knock, Pinnock, Sawyer (Jee), Noble (Aitken- Simon)

Subs not used: H Cheadle

Booked: J Cheadle, Pinnock, Noble

Sent off: Gordon