Faversham SF

Faversham Strike Force’s six-game undefeated run came to an end on Saturday as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Borden Village in the Kent County League Premier Division. Borden created two chances in the first half and were as many goals ahead by the interval, while Gary Axford’s side failed to register with their good early opportunities. Borden had already put the game to bed with a third goal in the second half before the hosts scored from the spot through Joe Kay, following a foul on Connor Ashman. The under-11 Lightning side played rivals Faversham Town and found the net through Harvey Pelling’s solo effort. Charlie Wardale was man-ofthe-match. There was another under-8 Strike Force derby between Lightning and Thunder with goals coming from Roman Lee, who scored four, and one each by Henry Gossling, Theodor Vancea and Austin Wanmer. Gossling was also named best player. It was an exciting weekend for the Strike Force Minibolts – comprising children aged between four and six – who played their first ever match, a friendly at South Ashford. Elliott Jones scored four goals, Finn Crawley added a hat-trick, and there were further goals from Kian Gardner, Kingston Pankhurst and Rupert Shackleton. Faversham Strike Force under-8s coach Wayne Pender donned his running shoes, along with a starspangled skirt and cape, to raise £500 for Children With Cancer UK. Pender ran 10 miles – 33 laps – around the Mount during the club’s Sunday morning training session, with the boys and girls of the under-8s running the last mile with him. This is just the start for ‘Wonder Wayne’, who is aiming to raise £3,000 in total for the charity and will run the London Marathon.

Canterbury City manager Ben Smith believes the winners of this year’s FA Vase will come from his club’s semi- final with Cray Valley.

The Southern Counties East League Premier Division rivals meet in the first leg at Cray’s Eltham ground on Sunday, with the return at Salters Lane, Faversham, on March 23.

Smith reckons Cray are the competition favourites but that does not mean he’s writing off his men’s chances of lining up against Northwich Victoria or Chertsey at Wembley on Sunday, May 19.

Smith, whose side are eighth in the league, six places below Cray, explained; “Cray are the favourites, 100 per cent and if we knock them out, I fancy us to go all the way.

“We wouldn’t be going to Wembley just for a big day out, we’d be going to win it.

“If anything I’ve downplayed our chances up to now but if we beat Cray I see no reason why we couldn’t win the final.”

City lost 2-0 away to Cray when the sides met in the league during January, but squandered a host of first-half chances before conceding twice in the last 23 minutes.

Smith explained: “We went toe-to-toe with them that day, the difference was that they took their chances and that’s what separates them from a lot of sides at our level.

“They have quality forwards, players who are proven at a level much higher than our league, and they are ruthless.

“But we’ve been the underdogs in other rounds and it seems to suit us. Biggleswade (who City beat in the last eight) were a very good team, but on the day I thought we just wanted it more than them. The one thing we will do is battle.”

Smith says nothing will be decided on Sunday but does