Match Report: Eastbourne Town 1-3 Faversham Town

Another August, another FA cup on the calendar as Town welcomed newly relegated to the Southern Counties East football league side Faversham Town. The Lilywhites have had a good start to their league campaign with a 3-0 win over VDC Athletic. Town managed just a point from their opening two league matches going into this one but still The Saffrons remained optimistic.

The game started calmly but Faversham showed an early attacking shine with a shot from Lockyer being saved by Winterton. Town then responded with a shot by Max Hollobone going just wide. The Faversham counter-attacks looked like a problem with Lockyer and Mfula providing pace and power. Mfula in particular charged towards Winterton’s goal with pace however his attempted shot sailed over the bar. 

There was then a lengthy delay as the linesman was suffering from sickness. A replacement linesman was found and then the game resumed. Moments later, Town lose possession in their own half, Warren Mfula gets put through on goal and slotted it low under Winterton to make it 1-0 to Faversham. 

Stoppage in play for medical assistance issued to the linesman on the far side of the pitch.

The visitors looked to have found their flow and their quality began to shine, another good chance evaded the boot of Lockyer to keep the deficit to one. Town did answer back, Archibald nodding the ball forward to Davies who was fouled in the box, Town bench, players and fans up in arms but no penalty was given. Then, Warren Mfula received the ball on the left-hand side of the box, shifts it onto his right and curled one home to make it 2-0. Half-time.

Ollie Davies tumbles to the ground and appeals from his teammates for a penalty ensue.

The half started slowly with neither side creating a convincing chance. Town did start to piece together some good phases of play with Ollie Davies pushing both full backs to the brink and causing the defence problems. However, Josh Vincent found himself in space after Faversham cleared the ball from a Town free-kick. The player ran the full length of the pitch and squared it to make it three-nil to the visitors after an outstanding counter-attack. 

Town looked defeated but weren’t going to go down without a fight. They continued trying to go forwards however no clear cut chances were made. Jack Murphy blazed a strike over the bar then George Cook had an opportunity to shoot. However, he too saw his effort sail over. Then the goal came, Harvey Greig, blasting a shot into the top corner in off the bar to make it 3-1. The yellow and blue kept charging forward and looked like they were odds on for a second goal to keep things interesting. However, it wasn’t to be and Eastbourne Town’s FA Cup run has ended in the extra preliminary round. We wish Faversham the best of luck in the next round.

Harvey Greig thunders a strike from outside of the box into the back of the net.

Town set their sights on Stenying next week at the Shooting Ground before welcoming AFC Varndeanians to the Saffrons on Tuesday night. Two massively important games for Jude and his team as Town look for their first win in the league.