I'm not bitter, says Cordice as his Salters Lane reign comes to an end

Paul Copley was all ears after kicking off his reign as Faversham Town boss with a 2-2 draw at Deal on Tuesday night, writes James Brown  - article courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk.

For the new caretaker manager sat down in the changing room and LISTENED to the views of his players after a hugely encouraging display.

Faversham Town went behind twice to in-form Deal Town but Bradley Maguire hit back before a first senior goal from the impressive Dave Read ensured a share of the spoils at The Charles Ground.

Copley said: "Afterwards I let the lads have their say on the performance. I told them that a lot of managers analyse only bad performances.

"They like to pay attention to things that went wrong. What I feel you should do is analyse good performances. Pick up on the key areas of success.

"I asked the boys to do this. They talked about playing with width, playing with passion and commitment, dying for the cause.

"Those were their observations and I was very pleased to hear them.

"They set their own level of performance - they now know what they have to do each week.”

The Lilywhites revelled in a new-look 4-4-2 formation and looked much improved on a real quagmire of a pitch as the rain lashed down.

But Copley is keen to keep the players in check and is already looking forward to working them hard on the training ground.

He said: "It was a workmanlike performance and at times our football on a difficult pitch was a joy. The performance was a vast improvement.

"We out-passed them, out-battled them and out-played them. However at the same time we have to keep our feet on the ground.

"We need to work on defensive areas and over the coming weeks this will be addressed."

Copley had issues with both Deal goals but then admitted the home side had been denied a blatant penalty near the close.

He said: "I thought their first goal was dubious because Brad Maguire has taken an elbow in midfield but the play has gone on and Tony Diment has slipped in the area and they've scored.

"Their guy has then played for the penalty that led to their second goal but these things even themselves out and that proved the case when Mark Smith got away with what I thought was a definite penalty later on."

Copley faces the ultimate test of his new team with a trip to unbeaten Premier Division leaders Whitstable Town at The Belmont on Saturday but he is relishing the challenge.

He said: "I'm very conscious of keeping everyone's feet on the ground. Whitstable are a strong side with an excellent management team and deserve respect.

"We have some more hard work in Thursday night’s training session and come Saturday we’ll be ready for another strong performance."

The Lilywhites then face struggling Tunbridge Wells at home next Wednesday and Copley is keen to put on a show for the Salters Lane faithful.

Faversham Town drew 2-2 with Martin Farnie's side back in September following two individual errors and Copley said: "We play Tunbridge Wells at home next Wednesday and I am really looking forward to that.

"The result from our last game didn't reflect our dominance so there are a few wrongs to put right.

"I cannot wait for the opportunity to put on a decent performance at Salters Lane and reward the loyalty of the best supporters in the Kent League."

Copley is missing three first-team regulars going into the Whitstable game with Kris Parker, John Goodwin and Michael Seager all injured.

Faversham Town Reserves entertain Margate in Kent League Two on Saturday (kick-off 3pm ) before travelling to Dartford in the Kent Floodlight Trophy on Tuesday.

Faversham Town Under-18s are also in action against local rivals Whitstable in a Valley Express Kent Youth League clash at Salters Lane on Sunday ( 11am ).

Meanwhile, Terry Cordice insists he is not bitter despite Faversham Town 's decision to sack him and assistant Peter Holder at a committee meeting on Monday night.

Cordice and Holder lost a vote of no confidence following a disappointing season that has seen them exit all three knockout competitions and slide to 11th place in the Kent League's Premier Division.

Former Dover and Maidstone midfielder Cordice, who guided Faversham Town back into the Kent League at the first attempt last May, made it clear he was not keen to discuss the situation at any length.

But he was philosophical about the decision which brought down the curtain on his 22-month tenure as the first manager of the re-born Salters Lane club.

Cordice said: "I don't have an awful lot to say. The committee have made their decision and that is that. I am not going to cry over spilt milk.

"I'm not bitter. I will take this on the chin and move on. At the end of the day, it's football. That's all I want to say."

Article courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Visit Whitstable Town’s website at www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Whitstable Town v Faversham Town
Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 10^th March 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable