Faversham relishing trip to champions
Courtesy of Faversham Town 2005


Terry Cordice saw a blank weekend replaced by a game against the league champions in their own backyard and roared: Bring it on!

Faversham Town boss Cordice has been given just five days to prepare for the trip to play Cray Valley (PM) on Saturday.

But he does not care in the slightest after his emerging side claimed a third successive victory with a 1-0 success over Bearsted at Salters Lane.

Ross Cable's 86th-minute strike earned Faversham Town all three points and they now lie sixth in the Premier Division with a game in hand on most of their rivals.

They had looked like falling even further behind, however, when Saturday's visit of leaders Stansfeld OB was cancelled because of a fixture clash.

But league chiefs have now arranged a quick reunion with Cray Valley (PM) who shared a 2-2 draw with Faversham in August.

Cordice said: "That's great news - I certainly don't want a week off. We played well against them at our place and I think we can go there with alot of confidence.

"We're definitely progressing as a team and I can't wait to get at them. Bring it on!"

Faversham Town's reserve side play a Kent Junior Cup first-round tie against Woodstock Park at Salters Lane at 2.15pm on Saturday.
The game takes priority over the first-team fixture and all efforts to switch the tie met with a negative response from Stansfeld.

But all that matters little to Cordice who cannot wait for the trip to Badgers Sports Ground - the home of last season's champions.

He added: "Three out of three is a big improvement and there is no reason why we can't get a result against Cray Valley on Saturday. I found out about the game only on Sunday afternoon. It's a surprise but we're ready."
Cordice was pleased with the performances of new signings Gary Hemens and Adam Hewitson against Bearsted.

Former Leyton Orient trainee Hemens looked the part at sweeper, playing the full 90 minutes and midfielder Hewitson did nothing wrong as a second-half substitute,

Both players have been signed on a month's loan in an agreement with Cordice's former club Maidstone United.

He revealed: "They've not had much of a look-in at Maidstone so far this season so I've got them on a month's loan.

"Neither of them has played for six or eight weeks and I thought they did well in the circumstances.

"Now I am hoping they enjoy themselves here and decide to stay on after the month's up.
"Maidstone are paying pretty big money at the moment so I'm told but it's not about money for these two or anyone else at Faversham Town.

"We try to make things as professional as possible while ensuring that the training and match days are enjoyable."

It is unlikely that sweeper Gary Stock and central defender James Holder will find much to enjoy on their return to Salters Lane this week after opting out of Saturday's game to go on a week's holiday.
Indeed, the duo could well find themselves topping up their tans on the bench this Saturday.

Cordice revealed: "I don't want to make a big deal about this. They know how I feel. They shouldn't be doing this during the season and now they'll have to take their chances.

"I will see how training goes on Wednesday and take it from there but you're always going to be loathe to change a winning side."

Saturday's British Energy Kent County League (Premier Division) games:
Cray Valley (PM) v Faversham Town
Fleet Leisure v Rusthall
Lewisham Borough v Lydd Town
Norton Sports v Milton Athletic
Stansfeld Oxford & Bermondsey Club v Bromley Green

Cray Valley (PM) v Faversham Town
British Energy Kent County League Premier Division
Saturday 1st October 2005
Kick Off 2:45pm
at Badgers Sports Ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham