Faversham Town 0-1 Dover Athletic - Readings' impresses against his former side

The Ryman Premier League visitors had to settle for just one breakaway goal, with thirteen minutes remaining, as striker Frannie Collin opened his goalscoring account for the new season.

Although Dover Athletic, watched by a crowd of 412, enjoyed plenty of possession, a vast majority of their shots came from outside the box, but 29-year-old Readings impressed during his man-of-the-match display when called upon.

Damian Abel, who signed for Faversham Town just a couple of nights ago, had the first chance of the match after latching onto Jimmy Strouts ball over the top, but the former Hythe Town striker blazed over.

But Dover Athletic quickly dominated but the vast majority of their fifteen goalscoring opportunities that they created during the first half were either comfortably dealt with by Readings, or off target.

Dover Athletic should have been ahead after 22 minutes when striker Sean Welford somehow sent a diving header agonisingly past the right-hand post after Sam Jones, one of three players to arrive from Ramsgate, got in behind sixteen-year-old right-back Jamie Sparks, and whipped in a delightful cross.

And trialist Jerahl Hughes, 19, who has played for both Crystal Palace and Yeovil Town, impressed, and one of the visitors’ numerous first-half chances came when Hughes’ deflected shot was tipped over by an alert Readings, who then later saw Hughes’ drilled left-footed shot rolled agonisingly past the foot of the far-post from just inside the Faversham box.

Dover Athletic manager Andy Hessenthaler had the luxury of changing all of his ten outfield players at the break.

Collin was unleashed to partner Lee Browning up front and the pair rekindled the attacking partnership that they enjoyed during their Ryman League Division One South title winning campaign last term before Browning suffered injury.

Deal resident Sammy Moore, who played professional football for Ipswich Town, Brentford and Stevenage Borough last season, brought a fine save from Readings halfway through the second half, as his right-footed shot was turned around the post.

And Moore’s cushioned header was chested down by former Chatham Town and Gillingham striker Collin before crashing a volley towards Faversham’s goal with twenty minutes left but was denied by a flying save from the impressive Readings.

But Readings, who has signed for Faversham from Tiverton Town after moving from Devon back home to Kent, was finally beaten with thirteen minutes remaining.

Faversham’s left-back Aaron O’Leary delivered a throw into the Dover penalty area but the visiting side managed to stab the ball out of the defence and Browning and Collin both broke straight down the middle of the pitch and after a ball from Browning, Collin drilled a right-footed shot across Readings and into the far corner.

Shot-shy Faversham, meanwhile, almost stole a late equaliser when substitute Sean Hetterley got in behind the defence but instead of trying to beat trialist goalkeeper Rob Lindlay, he squared the ball to a surprised Dane Luchford, and the chance went begging.

Despite defeat, Justin Luchford was pleased with the defensive qualities from his Kent League side.

“The result’s not that important today, but at the same time we know they would come here and pass the ball, which I thought they did very well,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after this "showpiece" friendly.

“I know Hessie (Hessenthaler) and they’ll have a good side this year and they’ll be up there challenging in their league and for us today was a test of our character, our nerve and about working on our fitness.

“Obviously it’s nice not to get turned over big time, I don’t think we did that. I don’t think we showed ourselves up either. I thought we did very well, kept our shape well.

“I think first half they had a couple of chances, most of their shots were from twenty yards out and going past the post so nothing really.

“Second half, Kevin (Readings) made two or three saves, which really we’d expect him to do but other than that, we could have nicked it at the end.

“But all in all, it was a really good exercise for us. I’m really pleased with the players. That’s a learning experience, we’ve got another big learning experience Thursday (when League Two neighbours Gillingham visit).”

There was no doubt the star of the show, Faversham’s goalkeeper.

“What you see is what you get, he’s an outstanding goalkeeper,” said Luchford.

“He rang us at the end of last season and was interested as he’s coming out of the marines and we said at the time we had two keepers and we see what happens in the summer.

“Gavin Wright’s struggled with his big knee problems and we’ve got Rob Hudson, whose 18, and a big player for us in the future but Kev showed today why we’ve got him down here, he’s outstanding!”

Dover Athletic assistant manager Darren Hare revealed the squad actually trained on the morning of the match before their comfortable win.

“It was a training game, we had two separate teams,” Hare told www.kentishfootball.co.uk, as their first game ended in victory.

“We trained this morning so it was always going to be their first 45 minutes under their belts for a fitness point of view really.

“We was pleased with some of the build up play but we weren’t really worried about the result as I’m sure Justin (Luchford) wasn’t for Faversham.

“It was all about getting through all the players 45 minutes with no injuries. We’ve worked really hard and have a few with tight hamstrings and tight thighs so it was good to get them through that.”

Hare admitted he was impressed with the players, who are currently on trial at Crabble.

“We thought all of them did themselves no harm at all today,” he praised. “I thought Jerahl Hughes had some very good moments during the game. He’s obviously got a lot of pace and I thought Josh (Maasbach) done well at centre half in the second half.

“In fact all of them, for me, contributed. Nathan (Bailey), the lad up front, has got a little bit up front as well.

"We’ve obviously need to have a look at them, before making a decision if we’re going to sign them or not.”

Hare revealed the backgrounds of trialists Maasbach and midfielder Lloyd Skinner.

“Well, they’ve both come through word of mouth really, which happens a lot in football,” he said.

“Lloyd’s an ex-Brighton apprentice , been let go by Brighton, and Josh is an ex-England schoolboy international, but he hasn’t played for about four or five years.

“So for me for a young lad who hasn’t played for that length of time to put in a defensive show that he did today means he’s probably got a lot more potential to come.”

Faversham Town: Kevin Readings, Aaron O’Leary, Lee Shearer (Dan Whelan 45), Roy Guiver, Jamie Sparks (Chris Eather 45), Dane Luchford, Dave Soutan (Dean Yorath 45), Jimmy Strouts (Marlon Button 45), Chris Axford (Dave Bathgate 67), Lynden Rowland (Sean Hetterley 45), Damian Abel.
Sub: Rob Hudson.

Dover Athletic: John Whitehouse (Rob Lindley 65), Matt Fish (Steve O‘Brien 45), Sam Gore (Jason Moore 45), Laurence Ball (Dean Hill 45), Ollie Schulz (Josh Maasbach 45), Alan Pouton (Sam Moore 45), Jon Wallis (John Keister 45), James Rogers (Lloyd Skinner 45), Sean Wellford (Nathan Bailey 45), Jerahl Hughes (Lee Browning 45), Sam Jones (Sammy Moore 45).

Goal: Frannie Collin 77

Attendance: 412
Referee: Mr Anthony Rawlings (Rochester)
Assistants: Mr Rob Baker (Maidstone) & Mr Mark Cheeseman (Faversham)