Luchford fuming as Faversham go off the rails

FAVERSHAM TOWN boss Justin Luchford criticised his side - and the football authorities - as they crashed to a 3-1 home defeat to Greenwich Borough last weekend, writes Tony Gray.

“I am absolutely fuming,” Luchford told www.favershamtownfc.co.uk.

However, that was not directed at his players but at the Kent County Football Association who, on the day of the game, informed the club that central defender Roy Guiver was suspended for the Kent League game.

That meant club captain Lee Shearer had to play, despite having flu.

And Luchford, fumed, “Not only did they fail to send the 5^th booking through to us after the Orpington game, but they then send the suspension through on the day of the game.

“I then have to leave the player out and my centre half turns up unwell. This has really played a big part in the game.

“Lee wasn't at the races in the first half and it was due to being unwell. I feel we have been let down by the league a few times this season, but this was unforgiveable. I am really angry.

"I also feel really sorry for Roy. He would have played Saturday and to find out at 11.30am on the day of the game that your suspended was a real kick in the teeth for both of us.

As the results from the other league matches started to filter through, the result did not seem so bad as the top two teams had also lost.

"A missed opportunity" was how Luchford viewed the result. "In hindsight Saturday's games were null and void. We haven't lost any ground on the leaders, but we have to pick things up quickly and get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

Reflecting on a dismal first half performance, Luchford laid the blame squarely on the usually reliable defence.

"The back four cost us in the first half,” he said. “We were all over the place and unrecognisable. I am concerned about the two young lads, as their minds are getting somewhat confused playing for two teams in the U18's as well. Jamie plays a totally different role on a Sunday and Ray and I differ on the things we are telling him because we play him in different positions. I need to review this and have a look at them both.

"The first team is the priority, and I can't afford another weekend display like that. All four were disorganised and lethargic. I told them afterwards that I hate playing the same team every week as I think teams get complacent, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt and kept with the team that has done so well for me for the past month.

"I won't be doing it again. Everyone will be on their toes now, as I will make changes and they are playing for their positions.

"However, let's not get carried away. We have only lost one game and they have all been brilliant for me up until now. Get back to winning ways and we can go on another run. They will want to get back to winning ways and I believe they can and so do they.

The first half performance against Greenwich, which saw the visitors score three in the first half hour and could have been worse, was probably the worst forty five minutes the team have played all season.

"I wasn't happy with the second goal for two reasons" said Luchford. "Firstly, as a rule we do not pass back to the keeper. That annoyed me immensely. Chris Eather did it last year against Thamesmead and it cost us. We need to learn our lessons otherwise we won't move forward.

"The other reason was Kevin was too lazy with the kick, he was right to have a touch, but he wasn't quick enough after that. Both players know the situation and as long as we learn from it then we can leave it there.

"I think all three goals could have been avoided if the back four had been right. They cut through us like a hot knife through butter. I was so disappointed at half time with them and they knew that, but they did show character in the second half and kept a clean sheet with ten men which was pleasing.

"There is no way in the world Dane (Luchford) should have been sent off. The referee said to me afterwards that he used excessive force. What a load of rubbish. He was stretching and got beaten by a bit of great skill by their player. A dreadful decision. The referee had two decisions to make during the game and he got both wrong. Their lad also should never have been sent off. I very rarely comment on the referees in this league as there is little point.

“We will be marking him down and sending in a report. You cannot allow for referees, it's something you have to play against every week, so we just have to get on with it. The linesman was no better. He got Damian booked for no reason, and continually was out of order to both benches. We will wait for the referees report and then make a decision on a hearing."

During the half time interval, the gaffer had some stern words and rearranging to do and it seemed to stir the Lilywhites back into the team that has been playing so well of late.

"Happy with the response,” was how the manager summed up an excellent second half performance. "We had to change it and I felt a bit sorry for OB and Souts, as they hadn't done that much wrong. I thought if we had scored a second soon after the first we may get a draw, but it wasn't to be.

"We worked hard and Tom epitomised that in the second half. I thought he was excellent. But at the end of the day in this league you cannot give anyone a three goal head start. They were very good and deserved the victory. Greenwich seem to have a turned a corner and will be difficult to beat this season home and away."

Luchford has said in the past that a defeat would undo a lot of the hard work that had been done in the past few weeks. Defeat in this manner is hard to take but was keen to stress that the team can now regroup and try to get back to winning ways.

A win at improving Lordswood on Saturday will get the Lilywhites back on track.

"I know the lads and they will be disappointed and have a point to prove,” said Luchford. “We have to be difficult to beat and that first and foremost is what we will try and do.

“I want us to get out of the blocks quicker and get ourselves ahead earlier so we can take the initiative. We are a good side there is no getting away from that and I am positive we will bounce back.

"Lordswood have Kevin (Metcalf) in charge down there and have picked up very well since his arrival. The result against Holmesdale was always on the cards due to the manager leaving in the week. However, they will be very tough to beat on Saturday.

“We have to go there confident and look to win, but they will pick up lots of points between now and the end of the season and they will be a good side to play against.

“They will try and play football. We need to be at our best and better than we have been and compete. If we compete then we will have a chance, but after Saturday we can take nothing for granted."

The management are still considering an appeal to the KCFA over Dane Luchford's dismissal on Saturday. Striker/winger Byron Walker has signed for the Lilywhites from Thamesmead Town, but the management are not sure how long he will stay. Sean Hetterley is back fully fit now, so the Lilywhites have cover in that area. No injury worries to bother the manager at the moment, although club captain Shearer will need to be assessed following his flu bug.

Article courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Lordswood v Faversham Town
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 24 January 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Martyn Grove, North Dane Way, Walderslade, Kent ME5 9XX