In a commanding display, Faversham Town KYL U13s secured a resounding 5-0 victory over Folkestone Invicta Youth U13 KYL in their league encounter at Three Hills Sports Park on 24 November 2024. The match, which kicked off at midday, showcased Faversham's attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation, leaving their opponents struggling to keep pace throughout the contest.
Faversham Town lined up in a 3-1-4-2 formation, designed to maximise their attacking options while maintaining a sturdy defensive base. Owen Ross took his place in goal, shielded by a back three consisting of Oskar Gurney on the right, Olivier DeLemos in the centre, and Connor Midgley on the left. Charlie Lyonette operated as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking play and providing support to the attacking quartet ahead of him. On the flanks, Timmy Adenji and Asher Adisa were positioned as right and left attacking midfielders respectively, while Vinnie Rule and Freddie Critcher formed a dynamic partnership as forwards, with River Faulkner supporting from the left.
The substitutes for Faversham included Liam Rich, Ryan Cairns, Bobby Davin, Harrison Holbrook, and Toby Lovell, who would all play a role in the match as it unfolded.
The scoring opened in the 23rd minute when Vinnie Rule found the back of the net, courtesy of an assist from Freddie Critcher. This early goal set the tone for Faversham's dominance, and just two minutes later, Critcher himself doubled the lead, scoring directly from a corner kick with a well-placed header, leaving the Folkestone defence reeling.
Faversham continued to press, and in the 34th minute, Ryan Cairns added a third with a stunning direct free-kick that left the Folkestone goalkeeper with no chance. This goal came just before the half-time whistle, which blew at the 35-minute mark, signalling a comfortable 3-0 lead for Faversham.
After the break, Faversham made a substitution, bringing on Harrison Holbrook for Freddie Critcher. The change proved effective as Holbrook assisted Ryan Cairns for his second goal of the match just five minutes into the second half, extending the lead to 4-0.
As the match progressed, Toby Lovell replaced River Faulkner in the 55th minute, adding fresh legs to the Faversham attack. The relentless pressure from Faversham culminated in a fifth goal in the 66th minute, scored by Connor Midgley, who capitalised on a defensive lapse from Folkestone.
In the closing stages, Faversham made further substitutions, introducing Timmy Adenji for Ryan Cairns and Asher Adisa for Connor Midgley, while CJ Jemmett came on for Vinnie Rule in the 69th minute. Despite the changes, Faversham maintained their control of the game, effectively stifling any attempts from Folkestone to mount a comeback.
The match concluded with Faversham Town KYL U13s emerging victorious with a comprehensive 5-0 scoreline, a testament to their teamwork and tactical execution. Liam Rich, who made a significant impact after coming on, was recognised as the Player of the Match, highlighting the strength of Faversham's squad depth and their ability to perform at a high level throughout the match.
