Bracken - Man of the Match Faversham Town 2 v 3 Corinthian-Casuals
Man of the Match: Danny Bracken
Match report by Gary Weir
New first team manager Matt Howard got off to winning ways with an astounding victory against an in-form Faversham Town at Salters Lane at the weekend.
Faversham started the match as favourites according to the local press however the Chocolate and pink reacted early prompting the Lilywhites keeper to keep out two Jamie Byatt efforts on goal. Despite the early casuals charge Faversham gradually calmed further pressure and opened their account on 29 minutes when Brendan Cass confidently slipped the ball beyond Bracken. Although the home side maintained pressure on Bracken's goal a corner after a rare first half casuals attack on 41 minutes was the catalyst that brought us back in the game. Defoe, playing a central role with Wilson-Joseph, looped over a left footed corner, it crash landed into the back end of the 6 yard box where Dudley with all his strength and might jumped highest within a pack of 5 or 6 players and powered it beyond the goalkeeper into the back of the net. Luckily, on 45 minutes Juevan Spencer decided he wanted a piece of action. After a wonderful through pass from the midfield, Spencer beat the defender for pace and positioned himself to blast a low hard driven shot from just inside the penalty area into the net, deafening the home crowd.
In at the break with a 2-1 lead the players and officials couldn't be any more delighted. There was a hint of another Tuesday night as Joe Hicks extended the lead further. With Hodges pressing ever more forward he had won a corner on 66 minutes which was pumped into box by Wilson-Joseph met with the head of the Captain who this time out jumped Dudley putting it beyond the keeper's reach.
To be honest there was not much between the two sides after the third, however, Faversham pegged a goal back on 82 minutes to set up a nervy finale which had seen numerous balls bombarded into the away box, Bracken pulling of a point blank stop and a goal getting chopped off due to an infringement.
At the full time there was relief that the game was over from both sets of fans, never mind from Casuals. Although delighted, manager Matt Howard commented, "one swallow doesn't make a summer, there much hard work to be done".
Man of the match without a shadow of a doubt was Danny Bracken. His inspired performance with those standard world class saves ensured Corinthian were difficult to beat on the day. It's a team game though and they players have shared more than their fair share of losses, now they are on a winning streak. Well done team!
Simultaneously, at King George's in Tolworth, Paul Stewart's reserve side managed to reach the semi final of the London Premier Trophy beating Peckham Town 3-2 after extra time. Peckham scored after 50 seconds but Jake Wilgoss replied with a penlty 5 minutes later. It stayed that way to the final whistle meaning extra time. Peckham scored again after 5 mins of first half maintaining the scoreline until the halfway stage. Femi Balogun brought the scores level again after the restart and with 5 mins from the end Kristian Childs grabbed the winner for the chocolate and pink setting up an exciting home tie against Cockfosters on the 15th march. Keep abreast of the reserves and their progress here.
Man of the Match: Danny Bracken
Match report by Gary Weir
New first team manager Matt Howard got off to winning ways with an astounding victory against an in-form Faversham Town at Salters Lane at the weekend.
Faversham started the match as favourites according to the local press however the Chocolate and pink reacted early prompting the Lilywhites keeper to keep out two Jamie Byatt efforts on goal. Despite the early casuals charge Faversham gradually calmed further pressure and opened their account on 29 minutes when Brendan Cass confidently slipped the ball beyond Bracken. Although the home side maintained pressure on Bracken's goal a corner after a rare first half casuals attack on 41 minutes was the catalyst that brought us back in the game. Defoe, playing a central role with Wilson-Joseph, looped over a left footed corner, it crash landed into the back end of the 6 yard box where Dudley with all his strength and might jumped highest within a pack of 5 or 6 players and powered it beyond the goalkeeper into the back of the net. Luckily, on 45 minutes Juevan Spencer decided he wanted a piece of action. After a wonderful through pass from the midfield, Spencer beat the defender for pace and positioned himself to blast a low hard driven shot from just inside the penalty area into the net, deafening the home crowd.
In at the break with a 2-1 lead the players and officials couldn't be any more delighted. There was a hint of another Tuesday night as Joe Hicks extended the lead further. With Hodges pressing ever more forward he had won a corner on 66 minutes which was pumped into box by Wilson-Joseph met with the head of the Captain who this time out jumped Dudley putting it beyond the keeper's reach.
To be honest there was not much between the two sides after the third, however, Faversham pegged a goal back on 82 minutes to set up a nervy finale which had seen numerous balls bombarded into the away box, Bracken pulling of a point blank stop and a goal getting chopped off due to an infringement.
At the full time there was relief that the game was over from both sets of fans, never mind from Casuals. Although delighted, manager Matt Howard commented, "one swallow doesn't make a summer, there much hard work to be done".
Man of the match without a shadow of a doubt was Danny Bracken. His inspired performance with those standard world class saves ensured Corinthian were difficult to beat on the day. It's a team game though and they players have shared more than their fair share of losses, now they are on a winning streak. Well done team!
Simultaneously, at King George's in Tolworth, Paul Stewart's reserve side managed to reach the semi final of the London Premier Trophy beating Peckham Town 3-2 after extra time. Peckham scored after 50 seconds but Jake Wilgoss replied with a penlty 5 minutes later. It stayed that way to the final whistle meaning extra time. Peckham scored again after 5 mins of first half maintaining the scoreline until the halfway stage. Femi Balogun brought the scores level again after the restart and with 5 mins from the end Kristian Childs grabbed the winner for the chocolate and pink setting up an exciting home tie against Cockfosters on the 15th march. Keep abreast of the reserves and their progress here.