Luchford back to full-strength for Herne Bay Shield clash

FAVERSHAM TOWN boss Justin Luchford says he cannot wait to get his players all together at training on Thursday night - ahead of the Kent League Challenge Shield at the weekend, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Lilywhites secured the Kent League and Kent Senior Trophy last season and will meet runners-up Herne Bay at Salters Lane on Saturday.

"We haven’t produced on the pitch because of so many people being away," he said. "I think now that everyone’s back, with three weeks to go, we can now turn the screw and get things going again.

"We do need to perhaps step it up over the next week or so. We’re getting a little bit closer now. Everyone’s back from holiday’s and things, so we’re making sure we’re ready for the kick-off."

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash against Simon Halsey’s Herne Bay, Luchford said: "It’s a funny game really. I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to put out at the moment. I’ve had so many lads on holiday’s - I’ve had a couple of lads getting married etc.

"We need to spend a little bit of time together so I’m not sure they’ll play or not.

"It’s one of those things, you’re committed to for the league purposes and rightly so. Probably the best two teams in the Kent League last year are going to play each other and I think it’s a shame really that our (Ryman League) season starts a little bit further away than Herne Bay, otherwise both teams might have acted differently had that been the case.

"Tomorrow night I’m expecting everyone back apart from one or two and then we’ll decide what we’ll do on Saturday. Whether we play some youth lads, I’m not sure yet."

Luchford has signed defenders Matt Bourne (Sittingbourne) and Richard Avery (Chatham Town) and two attackers from the Kent League, Dave Bathgate (Deal Town) and Danny Hunt (Greenwich Borough).

"I think we’ve made some very valuable signings for the club and we’ve lost a couple of players and I think we’ve managed to more than replace them," said Luchford.

"We’ve lost Lee Shearer (to Hythe Town) and brought in Matt Bourne and Richard Avery, both 24-year-olds, both played at that (Ryman One South) level and Richard has played above that level as well and they’ll bring some experience but youthful experience.

"They’re young and hungry and they want to win. They want to be apart of a successful team, like we all do.

"Bringing in the likes of Dave Bathgate was like-for-like for Dave Soutan, (who has signed for Whitstable Town) and we’re running the rule over Jake Leberl (a defender, who played in Conference South for Dover Athletic last season) and we’ll see what happens there.

"We’ve brought in Danny Hunt from Greenwich, who was the second top goalscorer in the Kent League last year.

"I think they’re all positive signings. With the good lads that have stayed, I think we’ll get a fair balance up to now."

Speaking about his departures, Luchford said: "As you know, Lee Shearer, Dave Soutan and Damian Abel have left the club and they’ve been a prominent part of what I’ve done over the last couple of seasons. They’re all good players, all good lads and they’ll be missed by us but that’s the same with any club when you lose players at the end of the season.

"That’s what happens, football moves on and we’ve moved into the Ryman League, which is fantastic for the club and for the town."

Faversham, who have come a very long way in a very short space of time, travel to Sussex County League champions Whitehawk on the opening day of the Ryman League Division One South season on 21 August.

Luchford will sit down with his players at training on Thursday night to get them all in the mood for the season ahead.

He said: "Yes, I am excited, at the same time, at the moment, I need to get all my players back and get back into it again.

"I’m a little bit frustrated at the moment where everyone’s been away, but come tomorrow night when we’re all back and buzzing around again, I’m going to put the fixtures on the board for the season and everyone will start the pull towards playing in the Ryman League and Whitehawk away."

The Brighton based side are reported to have big-spending backers and will be a tough opening day fixture for the Kent side.

And on his side’s opening day fixture, Luchford laughed: "FA Vase semi-finals, winners of the Sussex League, yes, thanks Ryman League!"