Faversham won this East Kent Derby and in doing so moved out of the relegation spots, and with it they moved up to 16^th in the league.Whitstable started the game quicker, and in the third minute Stephen Smith was put through on the right side of the area, his shot from 15 yards was deflected for a corner.

Two minutes later Faversham in a breakaway had their first half chance when the ball in the area saw Ben Chapman’s shot saved by Dan Eason.

In the 13^th minute Whitstable nearly scored when Smith racing onto a through ball hooked the ball over Will Godmon, it hit the far post and was cleared but only to Jordan Wright who from 25 yards centrally shot home, to make it 1-0.

Faversham were shocked by this and needed to get back into the game quickly, in the 16^th minute they nearly did when a free kick into the area saw Liam King on his own, from 15 yards he saw his shot parried away by Eason but it hit George Monger an went straight into a grateful Eason’s hands.

Two minutes later Whitstable’s Michael Jenner’s snap shot from 20 yards went past the post. Faversham got the equaliser in the 24^th minute when King on the right wing ran from halfway past the defender, his low cross to the far post saw Ashley Miller arrive and side foot the ball in from four yards out.

Faversham suddenly had the lion’s share of possession and created a couple of chances, firstly in the 27^th minute another counter attack saw Miller race clear from the left, then pass into the path of Monger whose shot from 20 yards flew over the bar. In the 30^th minute from 25 yards out Monger’s free kick went just past the post.

Whitstable finally got back into the game, had a couple of chances themselves when in the 38^th minute Miles Cornwall recently signed from Herne Bay passed the ball forward for Smith who went into the area before shooting just wide of the post. Then in the 40^th minute Cornwall flicked on a long ball for Wright in the area but his volley from 12 yards flew over the bar.

Then came the sting in the tail when on the stroke of half time Faversham took the lead, the ball was knocked forward for King on the right, his cross was diverted into the path of Dave Cook who from 12 yards shot past Eason.

Half time 1-2

The second half became more open as both sides tried their best to score. In the 50^th minute a counter attack by Chapman who drove forward toward the Whitstable area where his intended pass out to King came back to him, his resulting shot hit the side netting.

Faversham were the more dangerous out of the two teams and in the 61^st minute should have increased their lead when a low cross into the area found Cook six yards out but his shot was saved by Eason.

Whitstable responded in the 70^th minute when the ball found itself in the area, with his first touch since coming on Tom Walmsley’s shot from 12 yards went straight into Godmon’s midriff.

The rest of the game saw Faversham have two glorious chances to wrap the game up when in the 82^nd minute Cook in the area received the ball but saw his shot saved by Eason then two minutes later Chapman chipped the ball forward for Cook whose volley was again saved by Eason.

As the game got closer to finishing, and with 5 minutes added on the Faversham players, Manager and supporters could be forgiven for getting nervous as they haven’t won many times this season.

Whitstable huffed and puffed trying to get an equaliser but when the final whistle went it was relief all around for the Faversham Town contingent, and if the truth be told Faversham deserved this victory.

Whitstable Town:

1. Eason 2. J.Walker  3. T.Fisher (Debut, 60)   4. S.West  5. R.Gillman   6. T.Bryant (68)  7. M.Jenner
2. J.Morrish 9. S.Smith  10. M.Cornwall (Debut, 76)  11. J.Wright

Subs Used:  16. J.Trueman (60)  14. T.Walmsley (68)  15. C.Smith (76)

Subs Not Used: 12. R.Freeman

Bookings:  7. M.Jenner (29)  2. J.Walker (66)  9. S.Smith (89)

Faversham Town:

1. Godmon 2. D.Divine   3. J.Maxted  4. D.Walder  5. M.Bourne  6. R.Huckle  7. L.King
2. B.Chapman 9. D.Cook  10. G.Monger (57)  11. A.Miller

Subs Used:  12. D.Carrington (57)

Subs Not Used:  14. L.Griffiths  15. D.Jones  16. C.Owen 18. H.Day

Bookings:  2. D.Divine (43)  12. D.Carrington (87)

Referee:  Mr. G.Ions

Assistants: Mr. H.Phillips & Mr. P.Hitchcott