Faversham relishing opening test

FAVERSHAM TOWN joint-manager Justin Luchford is looking forward to Saturday’s curtain raiser against Dover Athletic, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Salters Lane clash is the opening pre-season friendly for both clubs and Luchford hopes fans from both sides will flock through the turnstiles to watch both club’s new signings in action for the very first time.

Defender Lee Shearer and striker Lynden Rowland have both joined Faversham Town from Maidstone United, a club that Dover Athletic will be playing in the Ryman Premier League this season following their successful title winning campaign last term.

Dave Soutan and Aaron O’Leary have joined from their Kent League rivals Herne Bay, whilst former Dover Athletic goalkeeper Kevin Readings has also signed.

Whilst joint-manager Jimmy Strouts, Shearer and Readings could feature against their old club on Saturday, Matt Carruthers, meanwhile, has been ruled out with a groin injury, which will be assessed over the next couple of weeks.

Luchford revealed that a nineteen-man squad will take on Andy Hessenthaler’s men in what will be a money spinner for the Salters Lane club.




PAR FOR THE COURSE: Dover Athletic player-manager Andy Hessenthaler (centre) presented a signed shirt following his successful performance in the Bob Mason Golf Day, where he teamed up with Faversham Town’s joint-manager Justin Luchford (right) to win the morning Stableford Competition last week.
Photograph courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

“You have to start using these games for match fitness,” Luchford told ww.kentishfootball.co.uk.
“The lads playing for 45 minutes will be giving it all they’ve got.

"I think it will be a good game (so) I’m hoping for a big crowd.

“With Olly Schulz, Dean Hill and Sammy Moore signing for Dover, I’m sure their fans will want to look at them and our fans will be looking at our new ones.”

The game will, however, be a good test for Luchford’s men ahead of their Kent League campaign, which kick’s off on 9^th August.

“You have to remember they’ll be a bit fitter than us,” explained the former Hythe Town assistant manager.

“The more you go up the League’s the more athletic they are - and the quality of football, Hessie (Hessenthaler) gets them playing some good football at home on their pitch and I expect them to do the same on ours on Saturday.

“The pitch is looking really good and the rain on Monday will really help this week to settle in down.

“Our lads are looking forward to it. It’s a good chance to see where we are really, see what we need to improve on and take the positives from the game.”

Luchford, who will pick the side with Strouts on Thursday, hinted who will be playing to face the Kent giants.

“Most of the people that have been training have put themselves in the window to play Saturday,” he said.

Visit club websites:

www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

www.doverathletic.com

www.dafctv.co.uk

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be making our first ever visit to Salters Lane on Saturday and will bring reaction from both clubs over the course of the weekend

Faversham Town v Dover Athletic
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 12^th July 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham