Clive Walker on Faversham Town's chances of grabbing a play-off spot: I’m not saying it’s impossible but I wouldn’t put my life savings on it!

FAVERSHAM TOWN assistant manager Clive Walker says his side are playing too many games.

The Lilywhites climbed up to thirteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table on 39 points from 26 games after the returning Liam King scored a last-gasp winner at struggling Chatham Town last night.

Chatham Town are at home to Sittingbourne on Saturday, before travelling along the Kent coast to Ramsgate seven days later.

But Faversham Town host Horsham on Saturday, travel to Molesey the following Tuesday, play away at Three Bridges on Saturday 28 January, before finishing the month at home to Hastings United.

Chatham Town then play four games in February, while Faversham have seven matches to cram in to their busy schedule.

Ryman League clubs play 46 league games and there are FA Cup, FA Trophy, Alan Turvey Trophy and Kent Senior Cup ties to play too.

“We’ve not stopped since August, we’ve had midweek games all the way through due to having cup runs, which knock you back on the league games and we’ve had a few games off as well,” said Walker.

“We’re chasing and we’re so many games behind some teams but you’ve got to win them, it’s alright being behind, you’ve got to win them!”

Faversham Town have three games in hand over fifth-placed Lewes but are 15 points adrift of the play-offs with 20 league games left to cram in before the season comes to an end on 22 April.

“At this present time you can’t even think that way, we’ve just got to string some results together and see what happens,” said Walker, when asked about grabbing a play-off spot.

“I’m not being negative, but we’ve got to be in a better position now to catch some of the top teams to get there.  I think we’ve got to do a hell of a lot.  I’m not saying it’s impossible but I wouldn’t put my life savings on it!

“I think we’ve played three of the last five years in play-offs and we’ve missed out, obviously we’ve not been good enough. 

“We’ve changed the team, a lot of young players are playing now and their exciting to watch at times. We’ll see how we go.”

Faversham Town welcome Horsham to Salters Lane on Saturday afternoon.

The Hornets knocked Dorking Wanderers off the top of the table at the weekend as two goals from Scott Kirkwood sealed a shock 2-0 win at Gorings Mead.

Horsham are one place and one point better off then Ray Turner’s side going into the game.

“They’re not bad Horsham,” added Walker, who did the post-match press conference as firefighter Turner was working the night shift and had to make a quick getaway. 

“We’ve only lost one in our last six so we need to keep that run going. We need to get something out of the game.  We hope to go on a run, who knows? You never know in this game. It’s an unpredictable game.  If we can go on a run of results like we’re doing now, I think it’s one defeat in six.”

Faversham Town have been giving some of their younger players a chance to shine in the Ryman League. 

The versatile David Blaikie made his debut at right-back last week in their 2-1 defeat at Ryman Premier Leaguers Dulwich Hamlet in the Alan Turvey Trophy (Sponsored by Robert Dyas), and came off the bench late on last night and his driving run set up King, who flicked in the winner into the top right-hand corner to keep Chatham Town in the bottom three and six points adrift of safety.

“We’ve lost Dean Grant, we’ve lost a few others, so we need that extra body in there because we haven’t got the biggest squad in the world. There’s so many teenagers on the bench, it’s unreal, but it’s good for the club.”

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/favershamtownfc

Faversham Town  v  Horsham
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 21^st January 2017
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND