Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Dayspring make their first final
Canterbury League
Dayspring CC have reached their first ever cup final.
A superb defensive display helped them overcome highflying Golden Arrow in the semi-finals of the Faversham Charity Cup Senior Section on Saturday.
Dayspring player/manager Dave Silman adopted a 4-5-1 formation but the defensive approach was nearly undone in the opening 12 minutes as Arrow twice hit the post.
Dayspring were required to defend for long periods but Owain Jenkins put them ahead when he was first to react in a crowded penalty area following a Chris Wicks corner.
With South African import Troy Bandi having a strong game in the heart of the Dayspring defence and keeper Matt Hewitt in excellent form the Golden Arrow strikers were increasingly frustrated.
With four minutes to go Hewitt pulled off a remarkable save at the foot of his left post to ensure his side’s first appearance in a cup final.
They will face Chartham, despite St Stephen’s John Pilcher scoring twice against the Papermakers in the last four match.
However, Chartham’s Sam Potter and James Klosek scored before Carlo Valente’s winner.
Charing and Beltinge booked a date in the Junior Section final after seeing off Faversham Harlequin and Betteshanger respectively.
Charing went ahead before half-time when a cross by Danny Taylor deceived keeper Phil Rowcroft and it was 2-0 midway through the second half when Gary Turner’s scuffed shot found the net after a Rowcroft air-kick. Adrian Jolly pulled a goal back for Harlequin with a last- minute spot kick.
Betteshanger took the lead against Beltinge with a strike by Martin Curry but a threegoal blast from Gary Cooper (2) and Steve Crouch turned the tie on its head until Travis Austin scored two quick goals to make it 3-3 with 16 minutes left.
Michael Williams headed in a fourth for Beltinge to secure a final spot for Joe Walker’s team.
Golden Arrow and Faversham United continue to fight it out at the top of the Premier Division, with both sides set on landing their first Rose Bowl.
Simon Ewins (2), Nathan Hardwick, Danny Paige and James Gibson starred in front of goal as Golden Arrow hammered St Stephen’s 5-0.
United defeated Burgess Hodgson 5-2 with Steve Sparks firing a hat-trick and Sam Reed and Billy Croucher also on target. Matt Lightfoot and Ryan Cochrane claimed the consolation goals.
On Good Friday evening, Faversham United faced a tricky trip at Chilham but Billy Croucher (2) and Steve Sparks nailed yet another maximum for the leaders.
Monument Athletic made it 14 wins from 14 Division 1 outings with a 3-0 victory over Betteshanger at Cavell Square.
James Hart scored twice to take his tally for the season to 16, while Luke Illott rolled in the other.
The Division 2 title race is now between Woodnesborough, Hampton Rangers and Reculver, who have the momentum after posting six wins in nine days.
On Friday Reculver sneaked a 2-1 win against UKC Staff, though they needed a penalty save from Rob May to ensure the maximum. Tommy Thorman and Declan White got the goals, while Arron Perry netted for UKC but also saw his spot-kick saved.
The following day Reculver recorded a 4-1 win over rivals Woodnesborough with goals from Joe Petcher (2) Ryan Lee and Ryan Graves.
And on Easter Monday Reculver again turned over UKC Staff, this time 3-2 with Ryan Graves (2) and Tommy Thorman netting for Steve Richards’ team. Harry Parkin and veteran midfielder Lee Thompson replied.
A 4-0 win over Wingham kept Woodnesborough top, though Reculver will overtake them should they win their games in hand. Gavin Marsh scored twice against Wingham with an own goal and Sam Thatcher nailing the victory.
Hampton Rangers will probably gain promotion after Arron Fuller scored the only goal of the contest against Canterbury Monument.