Farnie: It's time to bond - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Despite losing 2-0 to Ryman League Division One South Dartford in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday night, Martin Farnie, the manager of Kent League side Tunbridge Wells, insists that result has no bearing on the FA Cup preliminary round tie between the two clubs next month, writes Stephen McCartney.

Dartford boss Tony Burman, who was without five of his regulars, holds the upper hand, but we all know the FA Cup always springs up surprises.

But Farnie should have Bradley Mortimer, Ben Hilden, Andy Garratt and Aaron O’Leary back for the cup clash on Saturday, 2^nd September.

In an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with www.kentishfootball.co.k the former Dartford coach said: “They’re going to be stronger than they were on Tuesday night but by then we’ll have four players back so we’ll be stronger.

“We’ll be stronger because we have played more games, but I was very impressed with Dartford.

“I thought they were excellent, very sharp, looked really busy, sharp on the ball and their quick as you like up front.”

With the Kent League campaign kicking off just over a week away, Farnie takes his side to AFC Totton on Saturday, to enjoy team bonding.

“We’re going to stay there Saturday night,” he revealed. “Use the game as another training session, go for a beer in the evening - have a jolly up really.”

Dartford too are making a weekend of it away - with a weekend away to Dorset to play Bournemouth Poppies.

“I was due to go down to Bournemouth on the Friday to play golf with them but unfortunately circumstances have arisen and I can’t get down there,” said a disappointed Farnie.

“It’s all about team bonding and having a good laugh and getting a bit of camaraderie going between the players.”

Looking ahead to their opening day trip to Bayliss Avenue to play much-fancied Thamesmead Town, Farnie isn’t sure which team of his will turn up - the good one that defeated their Ryman Premier League neighbours Tonbridge Angels 4-2 last Saturday or the one that lost 2-0 to Dartford.

He said: “We’re capable of beating anyone in the league as we proved last year.

“We’ve beaten Beckenham, Maidstone and Herne Bay - good results against all the top sides.

“As it’s getting closer to the last week of the pre-season, I’ll start worrying about Thamesmead and worry if we can beat them or not.

“We’re capable but it depends what head we’ve got on - our right head or the head we had on against Dartford.”