Beal following in Fathers footsteps at Faversham
courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk


Faversham Town skipper Julian Beal has called on the club's growing army of supporters to turn out in force for the local derby against Norton Sports on Saturday.

Beal scored Faversham's third goal in a 3-1 win over Lydd Town to extend the club's run of victories to six at the weekend.

More than 200 fans saw the Lilywhites move up into second place in the British Energy Kent County League with John Goodwin and Ricky Cable also making the scoresheet.

And Beal immediately asked for another bumper turn-out insisting this was one game where the fans could really make a difference.

He said: "When the fixtures came out, the Norton match was the one all the players were looking forward to. It's the biggest game in the Premier Division calendar.

"The number of supporters that have turned up so far this season has  been truly remarkable.

"If there is one game where the fans can play a part and get behind the team it would certainly be this fixture so I would ask every Town fan to come up on Saturday and give us their support. It should be a very entertaining game and we will try very hard not to disappoint them."

It has been a busy time for Beal, the former Sittingbourne, Folkestone and Canterbury City midfielder. He turned 29 last month and on Wednesday announced his engagement to girlfriend Donna.

His focus remains firmly on winning promotion, however, and is proud to lead a team his father Brian served with such distinction in the 1960s and 1970s.

He revealed: "To be captain of my home town club is a great honour for me.  My father played for the club in what was a very successful era, winning numerous leagues and cups.

"I started playing my football up the Town as a youth before moving on to several clubs around Kent.

"Now it's a great honour to be back leading the team. If I can help lead this team out of this league and into the Kent Premier Division I will get just as much satisfaction as my dad did back in his day."

Norton had three players sent off and were trailing 5-1 when their game against Lewisham Borough was abandoned on Saturday.

All three substitutes had been used and with two players unable to continue through injury, play was called to a halt on 85 minutes.

Norton have at least four matches in hand on most of their rivals and could have gone top with victory in each of those games.

Now they face an anxious wait to learn if Saturday's scoreline will stand.

A Kent County League spokesman said: "The referee abandoned the game because Norton had insufficient players to carry on. I understand three had been sent off, substitutes had been used and there were  injuries.

"The referee's report will have to go to the KCFA and a disciplinary  hearing will no doubt follow. In the meantime, the score will not be entered into the records.

"We don't expect the issue to be resolved quickly. It will probably take a couple of months."

Town boss Terry Cordice went for an attacking formation against Lydd Town, playing three up front from the start.

And he sees no reason to change for Saturday's big visit of Norton, revealing: "We'll stick with the same formation and attack them from  the start.

"People have been building it up as a big game but we'll be treating  it just like all the others.

"I don't know too much about them but we'll be ready for a battle and ready to play football.

"We did say it would take a while for players to settle down here after starting from scratch.

"But winning breeds confidence and the lads do look confident at the moment. I just have to make sure they do not become complacent.

"We won't be taking Norton lightly, but we will be looking to win."

Faversham Town v Norton Sports
British Energy Kent County League Premier Division
Saturday 22nd October 2005
Kick Off 2:45pm
at Salters Lane, Faversham