Young Gills side narrowly lose out to Faversham at Salters Lane
A second half strike from Captain Wayne Wilson helped guide Faversham Town to a 1-0 win over a Gillingham XI at Salters Lane on Tuesday evening.The skipper latched onto a cross from Ryan Cooper on 53 minutes and powered an effort beyond Tom Hadler who once again impressed between the sticks.
Laurence Vaughan, Jimmy Muitt, Mitchell Dickenson and Elliott List all had opportunities but Faversham proved difficult to break down and they held out for victory.
Mark Patterson named Darren Oldaker in midfield with Greg Cundle partnering Muitt up front. Callum Davies was in the heart of defence with Callum Emptage at right back.
Josh Pritchard was named amongst the substitutes.
The game took a while to spark into life but once it did the Gills created a couple of half chances with Vaughan going close twice before Muitt, who also featured in last Monday’s game against Chatham, very nearly headed the visitors in front following an excellent cross from the left.
Stuart King forced a fine save from Hadler before Renford Tenye struck the post seconds before the interval.
H/T: 0-0
Eight minutes into the half and Faversham were in front – Cooper advanced forward and received the ball in a dangerous area towards the byline, he spotted the run of Wilson who struck his shot perfectly and Hadler was helpless as the effort rocketed past him and into the net.
Sub Chris Webber could have doubled the advantage but sent his header wide before King and Dean Grant were both brilliantly thwarted by Hadler who had to make a string of fine stops to maintain just a one goal deficit.
Rob French, in goal for Faversham, made the last meaningful save of the game when he was quickly down to his right to save an effort from Vaughan.
F/T: 1-0
Faversham Starting XI: French, Cooper, Maxted, Wilson, Borne, Scarborough, Dowadu, Monger, Grant, King, Tenye.
Gillingham: Hadler, Emptage, Davies, M Dickenson, Welch (O’Mara 57), Oldaker (Hendricks 68), List (Coutts 68), Elsom (Calvin 46), Vaughan, Muitt (Stannard 68), Cundle.
Unused subs: Newcombe, Pritchard.