Faversham Town KYL U13’s faced off against Herne Bay FC U13 KYL in a gripping league encounter at The Crest Stadium on 9th February 2025, kicking off at 10:00 am. The match concluded with Faversham Town emerging victorious with a scoreline of 3-2, showcasing their resilience and attacking prowess throughout the contest.
Faversham Town adopted a 3-1-4-2 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while providing ample support for their attacking players. Michael Mannerings took his place in goal, shielded by a back three consisting of Austin Gray on the right, Olivier DeLemos in the centre, and Freddie Critcher on the left. Charlie Lyonette operated as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. The flanks were bolstered by Ryan Cairns on the right and Connor Midgley on the left, both of whom were expected to provide width and support to the forwards. Vinnie Rule and CJ Jemmett played as attacking midfielders, while Nikolai Hualca Da Silva and River Faulkner led the line as forwards, looking to exploit any defensive lapses from their opponents.
With a solid bench only one substitute for Faversham Town introduced Oskar Gurney, very late into the contest.
The match began with an unexpected twist as Herne Bay FC inadvertently gifted Faversham Town the lead in the 13th minute, with an own goal that set the tone for an exciting encounter. Faversham capitalised on this early advantage, and just eight minutes later, River Faulkner doubled their lead in the 21st minute, finishing off a well-crafted move assisted by Freddie Critcher.
As the first half progressed, tensions rose, and in the 35th minute, River Faulkner received a yellow card, a moment that could have shifted the momentum had it not been for Faversham's solid performance. The half-time whistle blew shortly after, with Faversham Town leading 2-0 and looking in control.
The second half saw Faversham continue to press, and in the 65th minute, River Faulkner struck again, netting his second goal of the match with an assist from Nikolai Hualca Da Silva, extending their lead to 3-0. However, Herne Bay FC were not to be dismissed easily. In a dramatic turn of events, they found the back of the net in the 70th minute, pulling one back and igniting hopes of a comeback.
With the match entering its final stages, Faversham made a substitution in the 75th minute, bringing on Oskar Gurney for Connor Midgley, aiming to shore up their defence as the pressure mounted. Yet, just two minutes later, Herne Bay FC struck again, scoring their second goal in the 77th minute, leaving Faversham to hold on for dear life in the closing moments.
Despite the late surge from Herne Bay, Faversham Town managed to maintain their composure and secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory. River Faulkner's standout performance, highlighted by his two goals, earned him the Player of the Match accolade, a testament to his impact on the game. This thrilling encounter showcased the competitive spirit of youth football, with Faversham Town emerging triumphant in a match that will be remembered for its intensity and drama.
