Kentish Football 
We will give Whitehawk a run for their money, says Faversham boss Justin Luchford
Thursday 13th January 2011
FAVERSHAM TOWN boss Justin Luchford says he has no complaints with the way things have progressed during their first season in the Ryman League, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Lilywhites sit in 12th place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with a record of 29 points from 22 games and welcome big-spending Brighton side Whitehawk to Salters Lane on Saturday.
Faversham’s nine-match unbeaten run was ended away to Walton & Hersham last Saturday, but they bounced back by claiming a point at Merstham in midweek.
Reflecting on those two games, Luchford said: “Very unfortunate again not to come away with the points. It’s been a tough week for us, two games away from home and we also lost our unbeaten run to a bobble in the 95th minute at Walton & Hersham and to be honest both games we deserved to pick up the points.
“But we’ve been excellent over the two games. I’ve got no complaints other than the points on the board.”
Faversham have scored 31 and conceded 31 goals so far this season and Luchford knows where he wants to see improvement.
“The lads have been really good, we just need to be clinical in front of goal,” he said. “If you look at it we’ve won seven, drawn eight and lost seven. If there was ever an average type team, I think we’re spot on.
“Defensively we’re in the top six or seven in the league, but we need to score more goals. Tuesday was a prime example, they had one corner and we had ten and that tells it’s own story a little bit.
“I can’t be unhappy where we are. I suppose if we look back with, not regret, but anything we could have done better, we’ve drawn eight games but the majority of them we should have put them to bed. It’s disappointing in that way, but first season and sitting where we are in the table and all that I can’t have any complaints.”
Faversham and Whitehawk made their Ryman League debuts with a 2-2 draw down in Brighton on the opening day of the season.
The Hawks go into the game sitting in second place in the table, with 48 points from 24 games and are only three points behind Metropolitan Police, who have played four fewer games.
“Well, I think they’ve made their intention very clear, they’ve obviously put in a bit of funding in down there to try and get up to the next level,” said Luchford.
“They want to go up, they’ve made no bones about that. We welcome a side that’s flying at the top of the league and going for promotion. It’s certainly going to be a very tough encounter on Saturday.
“But we’ve shown in the last couple of month we’re no mugs at this level now. I think we’re holding our own, which is good.
“We’re not going to get carried away with anything, that’s the way we work. We’ll keep working hard week to week and we go game by game.
“We’ve done ok and we look forward to welcoming Whitehawk on Saturday and we don’t fear anyone. We will give them a run for their money as we have done everyone else this season.”
Luchford has unveiled the capture of former Dover Athletic left-back, Sam Gore, 22, following a short stay at Ryman Premier League strugglers Folkestone Invicta.
Luchford said: “Sam went to the Stats after he left Hessie’s (Andy Hessenthaler’s) squad about 18 months ago and he’s come back.
“He’s a natural left-back, a position we’ve been after for some time.
“He went to Folkestone just before Christmas and played a couple of games but things didn’t work out so we’ve managed to get him, although we did try (to sign him) before Christmas.
“He’s a great addition to our squad, he’s young and athletic, he’s got great attributes and that’s the type of player we try and get in to the club, a player we can build on, a long-term acquisition than a short-term fix, so we’re very pleased to have Sam on board.”
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Faversham Town v Whitehawk
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 15th January 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd