Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Narrow loss in finale
Faversham Strike Force Women lost 2-1 to Diamond United in their final Southern Counties Division 1 East clash this season as they also bade farewell to a stalwart of the team.
They started the game on the front foot with Katie Pankhurst scoring on debut following an excellent run from Anne Roebuck - but they then failed to capitalise on a series of presentable chances. Their visitors increasingly imposed themselves on the game and finally levelled just before half-time.
United were relentlessly on the attack and Force keeper Shae Crawley was called upon to make pivotal saves after the restart. The stoical hosts looked like they would hold on for a point but a late goal undid them as their campaign was rounded
off with defeat. They finished fourth.
Holding midfielder Hannah Jenkins led Faversham’s solid defensive showing and was named their player-of-the-match. It was the final match for longserving player and England deaf team star Emma Brown who is moving to Aylesford after years of extraordinary service and commitment for Faversham Strike Force.
Under-12 Thunder put in an exceptional performance to claim a 4-0 win at Betteshanger, as Archie Johnson and Charlie Frankham claimed a brace apiece.
While the whole team fired on the day, it was defensive linchpins Jack Cooper and Frankie Smith who were named top players.
Roman Lee also scored twice for under-11 Lightning in an exciting game with Margate. Further goals came from Eli Monger and Dexter Wilmott with Iwan Davies named manof-the-match.
The rain and mud didn’t deter under-10 Thunder against Ramsgate FC Purple, with the goals spread between Samuel Moffett, Sangive Giridharen, Seth Cornish and James Davies. Under-9 Hurricanes were on fire, also against Ramsgate Purple, as hat-trick hero Joe Cooper - who spent one half in goal - was named player-of-thematch. Will Metcalfe and Elliot Smith claimed further goals for their on-form team.
Zach Luong also bagged a treble for under-9 Thunder at Sturry Kings. Freddie Parker (2) and Oscar Connor adding more goals. Player-of-the-match Ollie Crosswell went one better and found the net four times for under-8 Hurricanes against Herne Bay Harriers, Leo James adding another.