Faversham Town beat Kent rivals Phoenix Sports this afternoon in a five-goal thriller as substitute Liam Kings’ injury time winner finally saw them over the line.

The home sides’ Harry Stannard and Phoenix’s Jack Hopkins both bagged a brace -both scoring one in each half – as the game ebbed and flowed throughout with the home side pegged back twice before King’s crucial intervention.

Today’s result sees Faversham consolidated their mid-table position in the Bostik South Division whilst Phoenix Sports lost the chance to gain ground on those above them in their chase of the promotion play-off places.

In a game starting under lights The hosts’ front-man Carl Rook proved to be a handful in the early stages and his height and strength almost earned his side the lead flicking a header on and into the path of Stannard but with Sports’ ‘keeper Steve Phillips advancing off his line the Faversham man was unable to get enough on his attempted lob as Phillips gathered with ease.

Stannard wasn’t to be denied though as he nonchalantly curled a Danny Walder free kick beyond the unmoved Phillips into the keepers’ top left hand corner – A fine finish.

And Walders’ set pieces caused further concern as his direct free-kick found Phillips in fine form, the Sports’ man getting down well and low to his right to deny the home side an extension of their lead.

Home custodian Simon Overland had been largely a spectator for Faversham but found his goal breached and was called into action in quick succession shortly before the interval.

The home side failed to clear their lines and the two Jack’s Barry and Hopkins combined to give the visitors an unexpected equaliser – Barry unselfishly turning provider as Hopkins found the unguarded goal at his mercy.

And within seconds of the restart Kweku Ansah collected a loose ball and struck a fine goal-bound effort from range but Overland was more than equal to it diving and getting a strong hand to it, tipping the ball over the crossbar.

The Sports came out with much more purpose in the second half whilst the home sides goal led a charmed life as Ansah twice linked up well with Onoriode Ogboe with the latter skipping over numerous challenges only to miscue his shot at the vital moment followed by an adventurous back-heel in front of goal which Overland was equal to.

First half scorer for The Sports Hopkins once again found space in the penalty area but Overland saved well with his feet and Jeff Duah-Kessie himself blazed over after marauding into the box.

Faversham’s resilience paid dividends on the hour as Stannard pocked home a loose ball after Phillips had shown bravery and saved well at the feet of Rook.

Walder saw another dangerous set piece head goal-wards and despite beating Phillips the ball fizzed past the right hand post.

The Sports composed themselves and sought parity as Duah-Kessie tested Overland from range on the tricky wet and boggy surface but the ‘keeper saved well and parried away.

Finally the pressure told and in somewhat scrappy circumstances as Hopkins followed Stannards’ lead and bagged his second of the game – Faversham failed to deal with an inswinging back-post corner and in the ensuing melee with the ball getting stuck in the muddy penalty area Hopkins got enough on the ball to force it over the goal-line.

Faversham again dug deep in another goalmouth scramble but kept their composure and cleared the danger whilst Overland again saved well as Christie Pattison skipped over a number of tackles and shot low and across the ‘keeper.

But with the game running into injury time Liam King, brought on five minutes or so before, stabbed the ball home in front of a jubilant home crowd after Phillips fumbled the ball and with it the home side were able to see out the game and secure the three points.

The Sports will be disappointed to come away without at least a point bearing in mind their second half chances but the home sides’ doggedness shone through on this otherwise dull, wet and windy January day.

Faversham Town: Overland, Carrington, Tenyue, Walder, Bourne ©, O. Lee (Cheek, 45+3), Barnard (Griffiths, 84), Monger, Rook, Miller (King, 84), Stannard

Subs: Lovell, Benham

Goals: Stannard (21, 59)

 

Phoenix Sports: Phillips ©, Mingle, Probets, Hopkins, Young, Barry, C. Lee (Ogboe,18; Byrom,86), Robinson, Duah-Kessie, Ansah, Pattinson

 Subs: Carvalho, Andrews, Miller

Goals: Hopkins (38, 72), King (90+1)

Att: 216