By Glenn Pearson
Faversham Town 1 Sittingbourne 0
Faversham Town won the Bob Amor Trophy for the first time since their reformation in 2005.
A Tom Hickman goal in the sixth minute separated the sides as both teams looked to step up their pre-season preparations.
Sittingbourne midfielder Joe Horlock tried one pass too many on the edge of the box, allowing Hickman to seize possession. Finding himself in the penalty box and with little other choice, the former Margate midfielder hit a shot across the despairing dive of new Brickies stopper Del Ibrahim and into the far corner.
Little separated the two sides on the night as Kent League side Faversham looked organised and well drilled, while Sittingbourne manager Gary Abbott would have been happy with his side’s ability to keep the ball, albeit without creating very much.
Faversham’s attention now turns to Thursday night’s visit of League One side Gillingham to Salters Lane, with a number of Justin Luchford’s side putting their name in the hat for a start.
He said: “We have to remember to enjoy the game because it doesn’t matter about the result. It’s an occasion, the club deserve it and it’s great that they come down and fair play to them, all we have to do is get a good crowd and make it an occasion.”
New signing Dale Skelton impressed in the centre of midfield while seasoned campaigners such as Lee Shearer and Craig Thompson showed their experience in keeping Bourne at bay.
Luchford is hopeful the club’s pre-season will give them some momentum going into the new season.
He said: “It was always going to be a tight affair, it matters because there is a trophy involved but in the grand scheme of things it’s all about being ready for August 8.”
Sittingbourne, who included midfielder Dave Milton who has returned to the club after having departed mid-way through last season, are still short of strikers Bradley Spice and Richard Brady, while midfielder Rio Alderton missed the game with food poisoning.
Boss Gary Abbott was pleased with what he saw, but is still on the look out for some new players to bolster his squad.
“Football-wise and keeping the ball, I think we did really well. I am a bit disappointed with the goal, to give a sloppy goal away isn’t good, that lost us the game.
“We have Bradley Spice coming back, Richard Brady is back August 1 and I’m still trying to get a couple more in. I’m always on the look out, I have a few phone numbers and I’ll see if I can get some people down for Saturday’s game against Dover.”
Faversham’s game against Gillingham on Thursday night kicks off at 7.45 pm and is £5 entrance.
Sittingbourne entertain Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover Athletic at Bourne Park on Saturday, kick-off is at 3pm.
POSTED: 15/07/2009 12:49:00
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