Faversham Town KYL U13s Triumph In Thrilling Encounter

Faversham Town KYL U13s faced off against Kennington Juniors U13s in a gripping league match at Ashford Hockey Club Pitch 1 on 15 September 2024. The match kicked off at 11:00 am and concluded with a hard-fought victory for Faversham Town, who edged out their opponents with a scoreline of 3-2.

Faversham Town lined up in a 3-1-4-2 formation, showcasing a blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair. Owen Ross took his place in goal, while Oskar Gurney, Olivier DeLemos, and Freddie Critcher formed the back three. Charlie Lyonette operated as the lone defensive midfielder, providing a shield in front of the defence. The midfield quartet comprised Ryan Cairns and Asher Adisa on the flanks, with Vinnie Rule and CJ Jemmett in central roles. Up front, Nikolai Da Silva backed up by River Faulkner, forming a dynamic attacking duo. The substitutes included Liam Rich, Harrison Holbrook, Cass Cairns, Hunter Jiggens and Toby Lovell who would play pivotal roles as the match unfolded.

The first half saw Faversham Town take an early lead when CJ Jemmett converted a penalty in the 16th minute, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way after Nikolai Da Silva was fouled in the box. The momentum seemed to be with Faversham, however Kennington Juniors began to put the pressure on before the break.

The second half promised to be an exciting affair as Kennington Juniors responded with determination and equalised in the 36th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse to find the back of the net. Faversham Town, aiming to inject fresh energy into the second half, introduce Harrison Holbrook for first half addition Cass Cairns after picking up a knock.

The second half progressed with both teams eager to assert their dominance. Kennington Juniors took the lead for the first time in the match, scoring in the 50th minute to make it 2-1. This setback seemed to galvanise Faversham who responded with renewed vigour as Liam Rich replaced CJ Jemmett in the 55th minute adding a display of power in the midfield, followed by an energised Hunter Jiggens to replace Freddie Critcher in the defensive line. In the 66th minute, Ryan Cairns returned to the game and immediately levelled the score at 2-2, finishing off a well-worked move assisted by Vinnie Rule.

Just two minutes later, Faversham took the lead for the second time, with Nikolai DaSilva scoring to make it 3-2, again assisted by the industrious Vinnie Rule. With the clock ticking down, Faversham's defence held firm against a late surge from Kennington, who were desperate to find an equaliser.

As the final whistle blew, Faversham Town celebrated a hard-earned victory, showcasing their resilience and attacking prowess. Oskar Gurney was named player of the match for his outstanding performance, contributing significantly to both the defensive efforts and the team's overall play. The match was a testament to the competitive spirit of youth football, with both teams displaying skill and determination throughout the encounter.