Match Reports: Hythe Town romp to 8-1 victory over sorry Deres

Hythe Town 8-1 Erith & Belvedere
Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 24^th November 2007
By Thomas Hawes

This was a result that anyone with any knowledge of Kent League football would have considered laughable – but amazingly that was the full-time scoreline at Reachfields on Saturday.

Erith & Belvedere came into the game unbeaten away from home and in buoyant mood following impressive victories over Thamesmead Town and Deal Town.

Hythe themselves had an unbeaten home league record to protect and so the match looked evenly poised just before kick-off and from the first-half action there was little to suggest otherwise.

The first major chance of the match came to the visitors after twenty minutes as Nick Smith headed Matt Johnson’s cross over the bar from just six yards out.

Erith & Belvedere were made to pay as eight minutes later Hythe took the lead.

Up to this point the central defence pairing of Kristian Parker and Ricky Hardie had managed fine but without either of the imposing figures of Paul Gross and Michael Gonzague in defence, the organisation was poor and James Gregory took advantage as his header at the back post found the back of the net.

Hythe were ahead slightly against the run of play and the Deres gained a deserved equaliser four minutes before half-time.

Steve White, who came on for the injured Adrian Deane, fed the ball out wide to Matt Johnson, whose cross come shot looked more like corner flag rather than bottom corner of the net.

Hythe defender Sam Marsh clearly had other ideas though as he diverted the ball into his own net to leave the match evenly poised at 1-1 for an entertaining second half…

Hythe hit back though, and went into the interval 2-1 up, with a goal as route one as you’re likely to ever see.

Goalkeeper Paul Hyde lumped the ball forward, the ball bounced and prolific striker Mike Smissen took full advantage of this as he controlled the ball, spun and slotted the ball past Wallis.

This proved to be the turning point in the game and when Hythe went 3-1 up two minutes into the second half with another route one goal the Deres faced an uphill struggle.

A lump forward was controlled by Ben Luckham who barged his way past Matt Bedford, who, to be fair had no chance in stopping Luckham. Luckham duly dispatched the ball into the bottom corner of the net to double his side’s lead.

Erith & Belvedere rallied to pull a goal back and couldn’t use their territorial and possession advantage to grab a goal.

In truth the Deres created very little, Austin Berkley came closest with a mazy run but failed to get his shot off in time before the ball crossed the whitewash and out for a goal-kick.

So, with 13 minutes left, Erith were still looking to pull back a last gasp draw as they had done in the corresponding fixture last season. But what happened in the last 13 or so minutes proved to be the Deres worst 13 minutes for many a season.

With Parker limping off after 61 minutes, Lee Morgan was forced to drop back into defence alongside Hardie.

This meant that the Deres couldn’t really control the midfield and with Matt Bedford playing higher up plus the switch to a 4-3-3 formation, things were always going to go wrong.

With Johnson on the right and Smith on the left, both attack minded players it was ultimately down to Andrew Browne, making only his second appearance for the first team since stepping up from the reserves, to dictate the game from the middle of the park.

Smissen grabbed his second of the afternoon with a low drive from the edge of the area after 77 minutes to put the result beyond any doubt and a minute later it was

5-1 as Jason Brazier converted another ball over the top.

On 87 minutes it was 6-1 as Smissen forced his way through the shell-shocked Deres defence to complete his hat-trick.

Smissen grabbed his fourth of the game a minute later to make it 7-1 and leave the Deres players on their knees wondering if they just dreamed about the 4-2 win over Thamesmead two weeks ago.

Hythe made the result even more embarrassing for Erith as substitute Roy Godden rounded Wallis and tucked the ball into the empty net.

After Saturday’s result it will be difficult for the Deres to bounce back and become title contenders again, and a home match against VCD Athletic will be a good test to see if Saturday’s result was just a blip.

Firstly though Erith welcome a much-improved Faversham Town side to Park View Road for a Kent League Cup match on Tuesday night.

Erith & Belvedere: Wallis, Bedford, Crawley, Morgan, Parker (Browne 61), Hardie, Johnson, Berkley (Pursglove 70), Smith, Prett, Deane (White 36).

Attendance: 104

Faversham Town 1-0 Croydon
Kent Senior Trophy Second Round
Saturday 24^th November 2007
By Tony Gray

A first half goal from Tom Hickman was to prove decisive as Faversham Town ground out a victory against Croydon in the Kent Senior Trophy fixture at Salters Lane but the new management duo of Justin Luchford and Jimmy Strouts were keen to keep their feet on the ground.

"We're not getting carried away, this is not a turning point - this is progress,” Luchford told www.favershamtownfc.co.uk.

“We're utterly delighted with today's performance, the commitment and work ethic demonstrated today was fantastic and shows that everyone is on-board but there's still a lot of work to be done."

In their third game since taking charge Luchford and Strouts reshuffled the side that lost midweek at Thamesmead, Wes Hammond and Mark Smith returned in defence whilst Ricky Freeman made way for Matt Carruthers to make his home debut.

Faversham Town started brightly and should have opened the scoring on 15 minutes, Dane Luchford's shot on target being well saved by Croydon keeper Tim Roberts.

Five minutes later and it was the Faversham Town keeper called into action, Croydon's Matt Knuckey cut in from the right flank forcing a fine save from Rob Hudson. Both Knuckey and Mark Smith picked up injuries as a result of the attack, Smith coming off worse having to leave the pitch for a trip to casualty.

The Lilywhites took a deserved lead on 26 minutes, Julian Beal setting up Hickman whose header was caught by Roberts but was judged to have crossed the line as the keeper made the save.

The visitors went close on occasions Brad Maguire heading clear a well taken free-kick from Bronek Dabrowa, and the impressive Hudson denying former Lilywhite Ross Cable from close range.

The second half saw the home side sit back- inviting Croydon into their half but for once this season the Faversham Town defence remained solid dealing with anything that the visitors threw at them.

Cable saw another effort wide of the target on 56 minutes whilst another Cable effort was tipped behind by Hudson.

Faversham Town had chances to extend their lead through Carruthers - a looping shot flying just over the crossbar and when Carruthers and Strouts both went for the same ball Roberts was more than able to deal with Carruthers hurried shot.

Speaking after the final whistle Luchford was keen to highlight the positive spirit of the team

"The performance and attitude of existing players at the club has been tremendous since me and Jimmy took over and their response to the changes has been great.

“Today was a good day for the club with the reserves winning as well, but let's not get carried away."

Luchford concluded by praising the home fans "I'd just like to thank everyone for their support today and would ask that everyone here today spreads the word - tell all your friends!"

Faversham Town travel to Erith & Belvedere in the League Cup on Tuesday before playing host to Croydon again next Saturday as they return to league action.


Walton Casuals 4-3 Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 20^th November 2007
By Neil Sanders

It’s difficult to avoid the old “game of two halves” cliché having seen a three goal lead swallowed up.

Credit was due before kick off to the Walton Casuals ground staff for providing a good playing surface, despite the heavy rain during the previous 48 hours.

After the opening half hour they were probably wishing they hadn’t as it looked to be just a question of how many Chatham would get at that stage.

The first goal came in the 14^th minute, thanks to a good run and cross by Tom Davey, which flicked off a defender and floated perfectly to the back post for Mark Brooks to find the net with a diving header.

The second followed six minutes later when a strong clearance header by Danny Larkin caught the Casuals defence flat footed, enabling Justin Ascheri to run clear and provide a neat finish.

Chris Tedder then made a great saving tackle to block the path of Nana Badu and Miroslav Oravec pulled off a fine save to deny Elliott Frost.

Chats increased their lead just before the half hour mark with Brooks scoring his second header, this time a flick from a Darren Smith free kick.

Casuals gave themselves a lifeline just before half time, thanks to a shot by Badu, which Oravec got a hand to but could not keep out.

After the break Casuals seemed to find an extra gear and pulled another goal back after 54 minutes.

Frost broke through one challenge out on the left touchline and then cut in before unleashing a powerful drive, which found the back of the net via the far post.

Chatham had further chances to finish the game off through Finn and Ascheri, but the home side were now sensing that they were very much still in the contest.

The equaliser came with seven minutes left on the clock following a free kick which Chatham failed to clear, the ball eventually being scrambled over the line by sub Matthew Weston.

Unfortunately for Chats, Walton were not satisfied with a point and continued to push forward. As the game went into injury time, Greg Ball was brought down just inside the box and Chris Kiganda stepped up to convert from the spot and snatch all three points for Casuals.

Both sides deserved credit for an entertaining game played in difficult conditions, but Chatham must be scratching the heads as to how they came away with nothing.

Chatham Town: Oravec , Binks, Davey, Tedder, Larkin, Best (Solly 56), Smith, Brooks, Constable, Ascheri, Finn (Govey 68). Sub: Bishenden


Erith & Belvedere 5-2 Deal Town
Kent League Cup Group B
Saturday 20^th November 2007
By Thomas Hawes

A five-star Erith & Belvedere performance saw the Deres end Deal’s Kent Premier League Cup challenge in emphatic style whilst also securing the Deres passage into the Quarter-finals of the competition for the second year in succession.

Although the Deres have qualified with two games to spare, they will need to win both of their remaining games – against Faversham Town and Thamesmead Town – to win the group and take a first place seeding in the quarter-final draw.

The home side were ahead after just nine minutes. Lee Morgan won back possession for the Deres in the middle of the park and after some slick passing on the wet surface, the ball eventually found it’s way to Nick Smith who found the back of the net from the 14 yards out.

Deal were soon to be level though as on 14 minutes Mark Munday rose highest to head a free-kick past Grant Wallis.

Erith were dominant though and deservedly regained their advantage after 21 minutes.

Deres Central defender Paul Gross somehow ended up playing as a right-winger for a minute or so and claimed an assist when his cross was diverted into the net by Matt Johnson - who was meant to be playing as a right-winger!

Gross nearly wasted his good work on the right as he made a terrible error, which allowed Aaron Robinson in on goal. Fortunately for Gross, Wallis was on hand to make the save and divert the ball away for a corner.

Erith continued to dominate though and were 3-1 up by the interval as Aiden Pursglove’s speculative 35-yard effort skidded up off the slippery surface and into the back of the Deal net.

Erith had to wait until the 65th minutes to put the game, and qualification for the next stage, beyond any doubt.

Nick Smith’s initial shot was saved by the legs of Deal keeper Jurgen Wild, but the ball found it’s way to Sam Prett, who capped off his best performance since joining from Whitstable Town with a sublime finish from the edge of the area.

Content in their lead, Erith began to relax into the game more and played some excellent football, albeit against an unusually poor Deal Town side.

The visitors misery was compounded with 18 minutes remaining as debutant Andrew Browne converted Ashley Dunkley’s pass into the back of the net.

With little to play for and a crucial Kent Premier League game at Hythe Town just around the corner, Erith begun to play some sloppy football and this allowed Deal to grab a late consolation. Munday heading home his second of the evening to grab some respectability for the visitors.

Erith & Belvedere: Wallis, Crawley, Bedford, Morgan (Browne 58), Gross (capt.) (Hardie 66), Parker, Johnson, Berkley, Prett, Pursglove (Dunkley 66), Smith.
Subs: Anderson, Bell.

Attendance: 77


Thamesmead Town 5-2 Faversham Town
Kent League Cup Group B
Tuesday 20^th November 2007
By Tony Gray

An improved performance by a new-look Faversham Town side but yet another defeat as the new management team of Luchford and Strouts see their side beaten 5 - 2 by Tamesmead Town at Bayliss Avenue.

If ever there was a game of two halves this was it. The Lilywhites, who currently occupy bottom spot in the Kent Premier League, dominated the first 45 minutes and were unlucky not to be in front at the interval.

The second period saw the home side turn it around to run out worthy winners in this League Cup fixture scoring four second half goals - five if you count Lee Coburn's well placed header into his own goal!

Faversham started the stronger of the two sides playing some inspiring one-touch football which kept the home side on the back foot for much of the first half.

Michael Cook and Ricky Freeman allowed to run at will down the left and right wings respectively, Freeman had shots on target on 10 and 17 minutes with debutante striker Matt Carruthers also going close, his well timed header being tipped over the bar on 25 minutes by Chris Conneally in the 'Mead goal.

As Faversham Town dominated and went close time after time they were given a reality check on 27 minutes when, against the run of play, a cross to the right of the box found ex-Town favourite Rikki Cable, dodging two tackles Cable, always in control of the ball, rounded the challenge of Faversham keeper Rob Lindley to slot the ball home.

Undeterred the visitors continued to threaten and were rewarded for their efforts when Michael Cook levelled on 37 minutes, receiving the ball on the edge of the box Cook had a shot deflected but calmly fired past Conneally on the second attempt.

The impressive Carruthers went close shortly before the break his shot from close range tipped over by Conneally.

The second half wasted no time in springing in to life, 'Mead were back in front after only two minutes with Robbie Tarrant's corner kick finding the net the only contact appearing to come from Lindley's fingertips as he rose for the ball.

Five minutes later and Faversham were back on level terms, Michael Cook finding space down the left launched a cross into the home side's area - too high for the incoming Carruthers 'Mead defender Lee Coburn rose to place a textbook header past a stunned Conneally to make it 2-2.

As in previous matches this season the Lilywhites had little time to celebrate as Cable was allowed to cut in from the left side of play and given enough time on the ball to pick his spot as he bagged his second of the evening.

The tide had now turned with Thamesmead looking dangerous every time they ventured towards the Town goal.

Substitute Lee Dawson scored 'Mead's fourth on 70 minutes and skipper James Brown rounded off the scoring rising in the box to head home a well delivered corner.

Wes Hammond came on to replace Brad Maguire on 78 minutes although Thamesmead's chances on goal continued unabated, Curtis Williams was twice denied at close range by Lindley and a fine solo run from Cable in the dying minutes looked goal bound but Lindley somehow changed direction and got a foot to the ball sending it high over the goal.

Thamesmead probably edged it over the ninety minutes although the biggest difference between the two sides was the fact that Thamesmead converted their chances whereas Faversham failed to capitalise on some fine creative build up play, especially during the first period.

Bearing in mind the Faversham Town side contained five new players coupled with the fact that they are yet to train together under the new managers I'm sure that both Justin Luchford and Jimmy Strouts will take many positives from this performance despite the score line.