Find local news in Kent

Home   Faversham   Sport   Article

Faversham Town manager Sammy Moore on their abandoned match at Littlehampton Town, signing midfielder Toby Ajala and a home match against Chatham Town

05:00, 12 January 2023

updated: 09:45, 12 January 2023

Boss Sammy Moore has blasted the decision to abandon Faversham’s match at Littlehampton.

Bottom of Isthmian South East, the Lilywhites looked on course to earn a win - their first competitive success under Moore and only their third this season in the league - having come from behind to lead 2-1.

Midfielder Toby Ajala, left, has signed for Faversham after leaving Ashford. Picture: Ian Scammell
Midfielder Toby Ajala, left, has signed for Faversham after leaving Ashford. Picture: Ian Scammell

But torrential rain saw play stopped and, eventually, abandoned altogether midway through the second half.

Moore said: “I thought it was a scandalous decision.

"The ball was rolling fine! There were no puddles on the pitch that were a concern.

“He [the referee] took us off for eight minutes, it rained even more, and he then suspended the game.

“We have absolutely battered them. We missed four one-on-ones, first half, but we didn’t take them and got punished.

Ex-Faversham player Nathan Wood on Tuesday scored for Tonbridge as they beat the Lilywhites 2-0. Picture: Randolph File
Ex-Faversham player Nathan Wood on Tuesday scored for Tonbridge as they beat the Lilywhites 2-0. Picture: Randolph File

“But second half, we were great. We scored two good goals and were controlling the game.

“As soon as we scored, my skipper said they were trying to get it off. It was a farce of a decision.

“To be fair to them, we went up to the bar after and they said we deserved the three points.

“It was a frustrating afternoon but that’s football sometimes.”

Moore did take positives though - even if the match wasn’t completed. Striker Zak Ansah scored twice before rain stopped play.

Recent recruit Jerson Dos Santos came off the bench at Littlehampton in Faversham's abandoned match at the weekend. Picture: Paul Amos
Recent recruit Jerson Dos Santos came off the bench at Littlehampton in Faversham's abandoned match at the weekend. Picture: Paul Amos

He added: “We didn’t start the game particularly well.

“I didn’t like the first 15 minutes. But once we got in the game and Alex Addai got on the ball, along with Kieron Campbell, Michael Ademiluyi and Zak Ansah, we turned it around.

“I have never seen a game so one-sided where [the losing] team has gone in 1-0 down. That’s something we have to improve on, we need to be more clinical.

“But it’s good for Zak and his confidence. He took his goals well.”

Town, who lost a friendly at Tonbridge 2-0 on Tuesday, with ex-Faversham playmaker Nathan Wood on the scoresheet, brought experienced frontman Jerson Dos Santos off the bench at Littehampton while midfielder Toby Ajala has since signed from rivals Ashford.

Chatham's Kevin Hake is due to take his troops to Salters Lane this Saturday. Picture: Ian Scammell
Chatham's Kevin Hake is due to take his troops to Salters Lane this Saturday. Picture: Ian Scammell

Leaving the club have been young midfielder Jamie Splatt, who was on loan from Dulwich, and winger Malachi Hudson.

Moore explained: “They were two players we had chats with and said ‘We think it’s best if you move on’.

“We have signed Toby Ajala from Ashford. We put seven days in for him. He’s someone I played with [at AFC Wimbledon].

“I know what type of character he is and he has a winning mentality. He will add quality. He will come in and play centre midfield.

“We are looking at one other from Step 3 that, hopefully, will get done Friday. Then we have put seven days in for another.”

The first of what the boss has described as 19 cup finals is a derby at Salters Lane this Saturday against promotion-chasing Chatham.

But 35-year-old Moore says the pressure is off somewhat against Kevin Hake’s men, with Tuesday’s trip to fellow strugglers Haywards Heath instead being one his management team have targeted in their pursuit of much-needed points.

“We need to pick up points quickly,” he said. “It [Saturday] is a game probably most will write us off in.

"But it’s a great game for us because, in this league, anyone can beat anyone.

“I like being the underdog. I have been an underdog near-enough my whole career.

“They have a good coach and good players, but they are going to face a different Faversham side.

“This game will not define our season. The ones that will are Haywards Heath away on Tuesday, Sheppey away and East Grinstead away. Those are the games we have identified.

“This is not one we need to win but it’s one we want to win. Hopefully we get a good crowd and thrive off that, and can win a good game.

“It will be tough but it’s another opportunity to get three points.”

The trip to Littlehampton has been re-arranged for Tuesday, January 31.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More