FAVERSHAM TOWN were brought crashing down to earth by Whitstable Town - but new boss Terry Cordice is still smiling. Cordice, who prefers to be called TC, has gone for a high-risk build-up to the re-born club's first season in the British Energy Kent County League by playing quality opposition A narrow 3-2 defeat by Sittingbourne and a 0-0 draw with Lordswood gave the Salters Lane chief heart before last Thursday night's 4-1 whipping by the Oystermen. Yet TC accepts that defeats are part and parcel of the job as he looks to build a side capable of winning promotion at the first attempt. He said: "We're playing some good, good side this summer and it was always going to be difficult. This time we experimented a bit and were soundly beaten but there were lots of positives. "We battled all the way, created chances and could have had a couple more goals. Whitstable were hungrier and our boys have now seen the levels they must reach if they too are going to be successful." And he added: "The support was great once again. We had more than 300 people through the gate and all I'd ask is for the fans to be patient. "I'm now looking to field a more settled side. We've had to start from scratch and it's been difficult but now we must find some continuity." Gary Roberts provided one of the few memorable moments for Faversham with a goal five minutes from time. Whitstable’s young side took a two-goal lead in the first 45 minutes thanks to the highly-rated Andy Martin. Faversham plugged away but never looked comfortable and it was no surprise when Liam Quinn and Gary Sayer took the game out of reach. The home fans were desperate for a goal and they were finally rewarded on 85 minutes when local lad Roberts fired home a consolation. The visiting officials from Whitstable Town - a club often used as the model for success by Faversham Town chairman Bob Mason and his committee - were impressed by the revamped Salters Lane. New chairman Tony Rouse said: "What a difference hard work and commitment can make. "Faversham Town we all salute your tremendous efforts in raising from the dead a great local football club. "We hope that the people of the Faversham continue to support you in great numbers and we look forward to the day when you are back in the Kent League." And they suffered their second 4-1 defeat in succession and boss Terry Cordice admitted: That's another lesson learned. Town rolled out the red carpet for Kent League champions Ramsgate and competed well for the best part of an hour before the Ryman League new boys killed off the game as a contest. Julian Beale had hearts beating in a home crowd of 200 when his first-half penalty was saved but he followed up to level the contest and cancel out Graham Taylor's opener. But second-half goals from the much-travelled Mark Munday, Stuart Vahid and Michael Yianni put Town in their place and Cordice was not about to start complaining. He insisted: "Our pre-season campaign is worthless unless we learn a few lessons. We've just played the Kent League champions and done well for the best part of an hour. "We'll be playing our football two leagues lower next season as a totally new club and results will come against lesser sides. "I could have asked the club to arrange a friendly against a weak side and smashed them off the park but what would our lads learn? "Our boys are on the steepest learning curve of their lives and they'll be better players for it. Their fitness is improving all the time and I am confident we will be ready come the first game against Milton Athletic on 13th August. "We've given players a chance to show what they have to offer and we've played well in spells. "Now we want them to bring all that together over 90 minutes." Cordice was full of praise for goalscorer Beale who did well against a midfield marshalled by the vastly-experienced Munday. Munday, 34, has had spells with Dover, Folkestone, Gravesend and Ashford to name just a few but TC insisted: "Julian more than held his own as he has done all pre-season. "Julian and the likes of Stuart Smith, Dave Hockley and John Goodwin have been impressive. Now we need to press on and build a team that can mount a serious league challenge. "Two 4-1 defeats tell their own story but hard as it is, the players have to look beyond those results and see the positives. We're on course for the new season, without a doubt." One sour note for TC was the loss of goalkeeper Tim Holmes in the first half with suspected cracked ribs. The manager revealed: "Tim was in a fair bit of pain. He will have it checked out this week and we'll take it from there. But Anthony Whitehead came in and did well so we have cover."