Faversham Town Fall Short Against Cray Valley In Cup Clash

Faversham Town KYL U13’s faced Cray Valley (PM) Youth U13 in a gripping cup encounter at The Artic Stadium Grass Pitch 2 on 15 December 2024. The match, which kicked off at 2:00pm, ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat for Faversham, despite a spirited performance that showcased their potential.

Faversham Town lined up in a 3-2-4-1 formation, designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Owen Ross took his place in goal, while a back three comprised of Liam Rich on the right, Olivier DeLemos in the centre, and Connor Midgley on the left aimed to provide a sturdy foundation. In midfield, Charlie Lyonette and Vinnie Rule operated centrally, tasked with linking play and supporting both defence and attack. The midfield featured Ryan Cairns on the right, CJ Jemmett and Freddie Critcher in the central role, and Asher Adisa on the left, with River Faulkner leading the line upfront.

The substitutes for Faversham included Timmy Adenji, Toby Lovell, Oskar Gurney, and Bobby Davin, who would later play crucial roles as the match unfolded.

The first half saw Faversham Town struggle to find their rhythm, with both teams probing for weaknesses. The first significant change came in the 22nd minute when Timmy Adenji replaced Ryan Cairns, adding fresh legs to the right flank. Shortly after, in the 26th minute, Toby Lovell came on for Freddie Critcher, as Faversham sought to inject more energy into their attack.

As the teams headed into half-time, the score remained goalless, but the intensity was palpable. The second half began with Faversham looking to assert themselves, and they made a tactical switch in the 53rd minute, bringing on Oskar Gurney for CJ Jemmett. This substitution proved pivotal as just moments later, River Faulkner found the back of the net, assisted by Freddie Critcher, giving Faversham a 1-0 lead.

However, the joy was short-lived. Cray Valley responded with determination, and in the 66th minute, they were awarded a penalty, which they converted to level the match at 1-1. The momentum shifted, and Cray Valley capitalised on their resurgence, scoring again in the 75th minute to take a 2-1 lead.

Faversham's frustrations were compounded when Cray Valley were shown a second yellow card in the 71st minute, reflecting the growing tension on the pitch. Despite a late push, including the reintroduction of Ryan Cairns for Freddie Critcher in the 65th minute and the final substitution of Bobby Davin for Liam Rich in the 61st minute, Faversham could not find an equaliser.

The match concluded with Cray Valley emerging victorious, leaving Faversham Town to reflect on a performance that, while spirited, ultimately fell short in the face of their opponents' resilience. River Faulkner's goal was a highlight for Faversham, earning him recognition as the standout player of the match.