Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Hat-trick hero Emma
Faversham Strike Force women took inspiration from the next generation of the town’s players as they cruised to a convincing win over Betteshanger in the South East Counties League on Sunday.
They took to the pitch with the under-12 Lionesses - the club’s first girls’ team - for a joint prematch warm-up and used it as a springboard for a fine all-round performance at The Mount. The first half was well contested with Emma Brown’s goal giving the hosts a slim advantage at the break. The win was made more comprehensive in the second half as some excellent teamwork was rewarded with two further strikes for hat-trick hero Brown in a 3-0 triumph. Under-13 Lightning flew out of the blocks in their league campaign with a resounding
win over Cheriton. Arthur Williams scored a brilliant hat-trick in his first match for four years while a rampant Gabriel Smith added four more. Jake Crawley and Dereck Olah both found the net twice and there was also an own goal, as Frank Davison’s midfield masterclass saw him take man-of-the-match honours. Another debutant, Jay Thorne, registered a stunning triple for under-11 Thunder at Thanet United. Charlie Frankham also scored with Jack Wyles claiming a couple of assists and hitting the post with a long-range freekick.
Alex Gerdzhikov upped the ante even further for under-11 Lightning against Herne Bay Harriers with a remarkable fivegoal haul. Elliott Swift buried a couple more while Tom Martin and birthday boy Archie Suter grabbed a goal each. There was a dazzling performance at Herne Bay Warriors from under-10 Thunder whose teamwork and quick passing was exceptional. Liam Deveson, Edward Lambourn, Ethan Whelan, Ethan Hickford and Harry Wilson scored some wonderful goals but Isla Saunders was named top player for an outstanding defensive display.
Under-10 Lightning also entertained on a bumpy pitch at
Chartham Sports, as the goals flowed from Theodor Vancea, Reggie Hughes and man-of-thematch Albert Biscoe. Ellison Gashi scored twice and was a disciplined defender for under-8 Lightning, as he was named top player against Hernhill Herons. Mason Mount, Theo Hillis and Finn Crawley also found the net. Under-8 Thunder faced East Kent in another closely-fought game with goals from debutant Finley Grey and a Harris Neaves screamer.
Dylan Jones scored again for under-8 Hurricanes in their derby with Faversham Town. Elliot Smith was manof-the-match after a positive performance as the team demonstrated some exciting passing football. Hernhill Herons provided the opposition for under-7 Lightning an evenly matched game. Goals came from Hamish Allison, Freddie Selwood, Heinrich Olivier and player-of-the-match Ethan Moss.