I think most teams will fear coming to our ground, says Faversham Town skipper John Scarborough

FAVERSHAM TOWN assistant manager Clive Walker says his players must remain focused for the home clash against Guernsey on Tuesday night.



The Lilywhites pulled off a FA Cup shock when they turned over Leatherhead in their own back yard in the First Qualifying Round yesterday.

David Botterill headed in Wayne Wilson’s corner after only 38 seconds to give Faversham Town a dream start against their Ryman Premier League hosts.

Dean Grant had a one-on-one brilliantly saved by former Dartford keeper Louis Wells, before Leatherhead levelled through Vasieleious Karagiannis, who marked an excellent performance by scoring from a free-kick which went in off the post

Faversham keeper Simon Overland pulled off an excellent save to prevent former Ebbsfleet United and AFC Wimbledon midfielder Stacy Long from scoring with a hooked volley just before the break.

Leatherhead were the dominant side during the second half with wave-after-wave of attacks, but striker Jack Harris scored goal-of-the-season, a 25-yard volley which screamed into the top corner, to win it for Faversham with only eleven minutes remaining.

Walker, 68, says the players must focus on the visit of Guernsey on Tuesday night followed by games against Whyteleafe and Burgess Hill Town before they take on what’s put in front of them in The FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on 27 September.

“We’ve got some hard games in the league, no doubt about it,” said Walker.

“That’s why we need to focus straight on it.  We said to them after the game, it’s a great result, a fantastic result for the club, now we talk about Guernsey on Tuesday.

“We owe Guernsey, they beat us twice last year. You’ve got to focus on that now. This (The FA Cup) is finished for a fortnight.”

Third-placed Faversham Town have won all five home games at Salters Lane this season and skipper John Scarborough, 35, wants to continue to make their home patch a fortress.

“A big game, all we have to do is set our stall out and we set out not to lose,” said the central defender.

“You have no divine right to win at football and I believe we will always score.

“What I find as I’ve cut down league’s, there’s more chances created at that level and I think if you can be resolute at the back and solid you will get a goal and if we can do that again hopefully we can get another result.

“Guernsey are a good side. I’ve played out there when they beat us last year but I think most teams will fear coming to our ground.  I think we’re starting to get a real fortress there. We’re building it. We’ve got to keep it solid and push on.”

The national papers always take an interest in the jobs that semi-professional footballers have whenever they reach the FA Cup First Round.

Scarborough was captain of Conference South side Maidenhead United when they took then League Two side Aldershot Town to two games at that stage of the competition back in 2011.

When asked what he does for a living, Scarborough replied: “I’m a teacher.  It’s been really hard because I’ve gone from teacher to being head teacher.  I run a sports school for Charlton Athletic Community Trust.

“That’s why I dropped down from Maidenhead because of work was getting too much for me. It was very hard to combine it but what I realised was I missed it too much. I need an outlet and I came back to one team and I wasn’t enjoying it but coming to Faversham is absolutely fantastic.

“Ray and Clive are brilliant. They understand my circumstances and the lads in the changing room are brilliant! You don’t get that very often. For all the clubs I’ve played for this is up there as the best clubs that I’ve been at.”

Scarborough, who began his career at Kent County League side Greenways, resides in Gravesend, so why has he played for clubs such as Maidenhead United, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Sutton United?

“I’ve always played for most Conference South teams in west Surrey, like Sutton, Hampton, Maidenhead – and Bromley – so they’re all M25 journeys,” he said.

“I don’t mind Ryman South. It’s actually quite nice. I can leave at half-past-five. I had to leave at three o’clock to go to Weston-super-Mare or Dorchester.

“What I like about it is you’re playing against players you know, Kent derbies, there’s nothing better than that! 

“If you look at Ryman South, attendances there compared to Ryman North, there’s a football hot-bed in Kent and over my career it’s the only time I’m playing in Kent.  All my friends are here.  I’ve always played out of it.

“I was at Dover for literally seven games and I was doing really well in the Ryman Premier and Sutton came in for me and offered me a fantastic opportunity to play in the Conference South.  The finished runners-up in the Ryman Premier before that.

“I went there and I never really looked back.  I played eight years in the Conference South.  Teams who came in for me were around the Sutton area.  It’s nice to be involved. I do miss the football, I do miss that standard.  I won’t lie but what I do love here (at Faversham) is the community element of it and the lads who want to do well.”

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

Faversham Town  v  Guernsey
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 16^th September 2014
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8YD