It would be great to get a nice run in The FA Trophy, says Faversham Town coach Scott Reilly

FAVERSHAM TOWN coach Scott Reilly says he wants the club to enjoy a run in The FA Trophy this season.

The Lilywhites are sitting in seventh-place in the Isthmian League South East Division, unbeaten in four league games with eight points on the board.

They welcome a Hertford Town side that are in tenth-place in the Isthmian League South Central Division with a 50% record from their opening four league outings.

“We are looking forward to yet another test on Saturday,” said Reilly on the eve of The FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round tie at Salters Lane.

“It’s a different type of test for us in a sense we don’t know too much about Hertford.

“We’ve done our research as we do with most teams where we can and from what we gather they are a young side who like to get the ball down and play football, so we certainly need to be on top of our game and ensure we nullify their strengths where we can.

“It would be great to get a nice run in The FA Trophy. We will be treating the game as we do any other, whether it’s the league, the cup or a friendly and be doing all we can to win the game and strive for improvement as a team.

“It will be the first time some of our lads would have been involved in the competition.

“Our plan is to keep the momentum going that we have gained from our opening fixtures and kick on as best we can.”

Harry Harding scored in the 88^th minute of their home clash against high-flying side Sevenoaks Town, who snatched a point through Tom Ripley at the death last Saturday.

“Looking at the opening fixtures and being honest, I don’t think we or anyone else expected us to have taken eight points from those four games,” added Reilly.

“To take four points away from the games against Hastings and Cray Valley was a massive achievement for us, there’s no denying that they are two of the strongest teams in the division.

“That coupled with four points from the Sittingbourne and Sevenoaks games has given us a solid foundation to take forwards this season and also a real belief that we can compete with any side and push for a high finish.

“Last week against Sevenoaks we didn’t play particularly well but managed to dig out a goal with five minutes to go and we should have seen the game out.

“To concede with the last kick of the game was really tough to take, we were very naive in some of the things we did with two minutes to go and subsequently paid the price.

“It was a game that was battled out very well between both teams and as much as it hurt I think a draw was a fair result.

“The lads came off gutted and some harsh words were said in the changing room after, but I think that’s a real positive in a sense that we are not settling for draws against teams and shows ambition in our young side. As long as they learn from it, I’m sure conceding a goal in that manner will put them in good stead for the future.

“We are looking forward to hosting Hertford on Saturday and wish their squad and supporters a safe journey. We are also hoping the Faversham fans will turn up in great numbers as they have done all season. Their support has been second to none and the boys are looking to repay them by booking a place in the next round of The FA Trophy.

“James Collins has got a good record in cup competitions and has pulled off a number of big upsets in the past which gives the boys a lot of confidence going into these types of games and any future potential big draws.”

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Faversham Town v Hertford Town
The Buildbase FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round
Tuesday 17 October 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND