We're trying to progress to the next level, says Faversham Town boss Ray Turner

FAVERSHAM TOWN manager Ray Turner says he wants his side to replicate their impressive display against Dartford in midweek when they face League leaders Crawley Down Gatwick tomorrow.



The Lilywhites went down to a 2-1 defeat to the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South side in the Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com on Tuesday night.

Dartford, who went into the First Round tie sitting in sixth-place in the top-flight of non-league football, were 2-0 up at the break, courtesy of two goals from winger Nathan Collier, who slotted in at right-back during the second half.

Danny Hockton, 33, pulled a goal back with a stunning strike early in the second half and Faversham missed some crucial chances and deserved to take the game into extra-time.

Turner took plenty of positives from the game at a sparse Princes Park Stadium – he wants his side to play just as well against John Maggs’ side at Salters Lane tomorrow.

Crawley Down Gatwick are unbeaten with 13 points from their opening five games in only their second campaign in the Ryman League.  Faversham Town, however, lie in the bottom four, with four points from as many games.

“We’ve got Crawley Down Gatwick, who are flying at the top of the league and then we play in the FA Trophy the following week so to be honest the League is still very young in its infancy and I’m not worried about the League just yet,” said Turner.

“Many teams have played more games than us and we’ve got plenty of time to focus what is something like 37 games after the Crawley Down game so we’ve got plenty of time to focus on the League.

“I think it’s important we try to progress as far as we can in the competitions that we’re in.  Fortunately we’ve got the FA Trophy game next weekend against Leatherhead to look forward to.”

Turner admitted he isn’t surprised that tomorrow’s visitors’ to Salters Lane have started off well.

He said: “They had a very good group (of players’) in last year. They’ve added a little bit and they’ve got some very good experienced players at this level.

“John Maggs always recruits very well. I knew they’d be strong but again it’s very early days.

“I’m not fearing anyone in this League at the moment. There’s no reason to with the group of players we’ve got here and we just have to go out and play to our potential and eradicate mistakes and make sure that Crawley Down Gatwick are in for a hard game and they’re worried about us on Saturday.”

Turner has told his side to mirror their second half performance against Dartford to inflict Crawley Down Gatwick’s first League defeat of the season tomorrow afternoon.

“If you look at the two teams on Tuesday, there wasn’t an awful lot in it.  I think it’s a case of we have to be able to replicate that form in the League fixtures and you have to do that on a consistent basis to get up the League. They’re the teams that end up fighting for that top-six place.

“A run of results is what we need in the League but it’s been interrupted by a lot of Cup football recently.”

Faversham Town welcome fifth-placed Leatherhead to Salters Lane next weekend in The FA Carlsberg Trophy.

Faversham needed a late Adrian Stone to see off AFC Sudbury at Salters Lane last weekend, saving a long midweek trip to Suffolk for the midweek replay and Turner is looking forward to the First Qualifying Round tie against Richard Brady’s side.

Turner said: “It’s a big game for the club. It’s not just the prize money but again we’re trying to raise the profile of the club and it’s another big club coming to us.

“Leatherhead are one of the favourites for our League but it’s Cup football and we’re at home and we have to keep our form going like we have been doing.

“I’ve got a small squad. I said to them at the beginning we’ve got a squad currently of seventeen. They’ve all got a big part to play this year.

“My main role is progressing the club on the field and I’m confident in the players we’ve brought in and the performances they’ve put in so far results haven’t always gone our way.

“We’ve got a good group of players here who can improve on last year’s standing and as a club we’re trying to build off the field as well, not only to try to sustain this level, but potentially progress to the next level.”

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

Faversham Town  v  Crawley Down Gatwick
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 22^nd September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND