FAVERSHAM STRIKE FORCE:

WE UNDERESTIMATED OPPONENTS ADMITS BOSS AXFORD

Faversham Strike Force had a day to forget as their 10 men slipped to a second consecutive defeat in the Kent County League Premier Division.

The visitors under-estimated their wellorganised opponents, Crockenhill, who did not give up a shot on their goal in the first half while benefiting from a dubious handball decision to take the lead from the penalty spot.

Ali Adam left the pitch with an injury and shortly after the break, the Force’s task got harder still when Jordan Axford was sent off for a foul when he was last man.

Crockenhill took advantage to double their lead before Chris Axford scored during a late rally that could easily have salvaged a point for the Force. An equaliser proved elusive as they fell to a 2-1 defeat, with Tom Gates named man of the match.

“If I am honest we under-estimated them big time,” said manager Gary Axford. “They were well organised and defensively strong. We let ourselves down and must bounce back next week at New Romney.” Under-13 Thunder faced a tough trip to face Thanet Colts and were ruthlessly punished for two mistakes during a 2-0 defeat in which they held their own and played some great football. Sid Sparkes was named best player for his solid performance.

Twins Archie and Lenny Skelding were both on target for under-12 Lightning as they faced a team from the division above in Chartham Sports. Jake Crawley also scored as the team battled hard in a 8-3 defeat, with Aden Snoad picking up the man-of-the-match trophy. Under-11 Lightning staged a great comeback against Canterbury Youth with Ronnie Hudson and Jack Haile both getting on the scoresheet. Owen Lloyd was player of the match for a fine individual performance

There was no league action for under-10 Thunder and under-9 Lightning so they played out a highly entertaining friendly at The Mount instead. For Thunder the goals flowed through Charlie Frankham’s double and further efforts by Jack Wyles, Samuel Lilley, Jack Cooper and manof-the-match Ethan Taylor. Meanwhile there were doubles for Lightning’s Reggie Hughes and Henry Gossling, with Albert Biscoe, Roman Lee and Huey Garlinge also notching. Their player of the match was Ollie Gilbert Childs

Debutant Tom Martin was man of the match for under-10 Lightning as they put in another great performance at Deal Town Rangers. A brace from Elliot Swift complemented goals from Archie Brazil and Adesh Smith.

In a hugely entertaining match between under-7 Thunder and East Kent FC, Ellison Gashi hit five goals, including a great lob, while Tyger Pharoah scored and never stopped running as he was named top player on the day.

Mason Mount scored a screamer to register his first strike for under-7 Lightning but it was Kingston Pankhurst who was man of the match against Deal Town Rangers thanks to a sensational five-goal haul and lots of hard work. Finn Crawley and Charlie Philpott also found the net.