I hope we can create some real excitement by being in the draw for the next round, says Ray Turner

FAVERSHAM TOWN boss Ray Turner says he feels excited by the prospect of leading the club in to The FA Cup Third Qualifying Round for the first time.



The Lilywhites are in seventh-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with five wins and two draws from their ten games, ten points behind leaders Walton Casuals, who finished at the foot of the table last season and were reprieved from relegation.

Turner takes his side to Horsham in The FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on Sunday afternoon, looking to create some history for the Salters Lane club.

The Hornets, who groundshare Horsham YMCA’s Gorings Mead, which is situated behind their old ground at Queen Street which is now a housing estate, are ten places lower than Faversham in the league table.

Horsham have won three and drawn three of their ten league games so far this season.
Turner said: “Sunday is a chance to make history by taking Faversham Town into the third qualifying round for the first time.

“This team has been growing together over the last year and they deserve this chance. They have been fantastic in helping this club progress.

“Sunday is another opportunity to raise the profile further.  It is a tough tie but it does offer us a realistic chance to progress.”

Horsham, under then manager John Maggs, reached the second round of The FA Cup in season 2007-2008, taking Swansea City to a replay after holding their Welsh opponents to a 1-1 draw in Sussex, before crashing out to a 6-2 defeat in the replay.

Maggs’ assistant at the time, Tommy Warrilow, missed the two games against the Swans because he took over as the new manager at Tonbridge Angels after replacing Tony Dolby at Longmead Stadium.

Turner said: “Horsham have a very strong history with regards progress in the FA Cup and they will have the backing of a big home crowd but our travelling supporters have been brilliant of late, growing in numbers all the time.

“I know with their backing the players will be doing all they can to earn a postivie result.”

The Lilywhites finished in third-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, but after beating Hythe Town in the semi-finals, they lost 3-0 away to Maidstone United in the play-off final.

Turner said: “We are looking to build on an impressive league campaign last season and this game gives us all at the club a chance to show further progress and maintain the club’s considerable momentum.

“The players are a pleasure to work with and I have great faith in all of them to succeed.

“There is a drive and determination within the dressing room. We are benefiting from some continuity in terms of the team and the way we want to play and although it will be incredibly difficult to improve on last season that’s what we must strive to do.

“The whole club is a positive enviornment. There are good people here determined to help support the team on the pitch.”

Turner wants Faversham Town to be included in Monday’s draw at Wembley Stadium.

He said: “I hope come Sunday evening we can create some real excitement by being in the draw for the next round.

“It is possible for a small club like ours to not only compete with bigger resourced clubs but ultimately progress beyond them.

“I hope Sunday is another example of that and I am looking forward to the challenge of taking his club into the next round and making a bit of history.  By doing this it will only inspire everyone at the club to push for even more succes.”

Vist Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Horsham  v  Faversham Town
The FA Cup with Budweiser Second Qualifying Round
Sunday 29th September 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Gorings Mead, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5BP