Luchford: We must continue our work-ethic

FAVERSHAM TOWN joint-manager Justin Luchford believes his side are fully prepared to dump their Bulmers Cider Kent League rivals Tunbridge Wells out of the FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Luchford, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following tonight’s training session, insists his side are fully equipped to win this second qualifying round clash at Salters Lane.

However, he knows that Mike Robbins’ side arrive sitting in second place in the table with a 100% record from their opening five league games.

And both clubs have had their FA Cup progress ended by Horsham YMCA - Faversham in the extra preliminary round and the Wells’ hopes were dashed in the next round.

Luchford wants to continue their impressive home form when the two Kent sides lock horns on Saturday.

“Three (wins) out of three at home in the league, it’s not been too bad at home, but obviously we need to sort the away form out, but we can worry about that next week,” said Luchford.

“I’ve said at the start of the season, we’ve not been given very nice Cup draws. Horsham (YMCA) was tough in the FA Cup and Saturday will be tough against Tunbridge Wells.

“We’ve got a near enough full squad to pick from, just a couple of late fitness tests, and we’re all really looking forward to it.”

Striker Mike McKenna (groin) continues to be on the sidelines and right-midfielder Sean Hetterley has been ruled-out with fractured ribs.

Luchford was pleased with the way that training went tonight, and he wants his side to continue that work-ethic for the match.

“Training went very well,” he said. “The one thing we’ve turned around this year from last year (is that) training is very good.

“We’re getting a full quota of players. We’ve got such a big squad everyone tries to get to training as they’re trying to get a place in the team. The work ethic of everyone has been superb since the start of the season.”

Reflecting on their campaign so far, that has heralded three wins from their opening five league games, Luchford insists there’s more to come.

“We’ve done ok, we’ve had a mixed start,” he said. “It’s not been a disaster and it’s not been fantastic.

“We’ve got in-house targets, we’re not too far away from those targets and we’re still trying to find the right formula with the team to gel and get them the way we want them to play.

“It’s most difficult when you have a big squad and a new squad to get used to each other.

“But there’s lots to come from the team. It’s a season for us to build and compete with the top teams and if we can do that and be in the top half of the table come April and May, we’ll be happy.”

The Lilywhites have already played the Wells this season, going down to a 3-1 defeat at Culverden Stadium in the league on 6^th September.

“I think it’ll be a good game,” predicted Luchford. “They beat us in the league so they’ll probably be confident that they’ve got five (league) wins on the spin.

“We’re trying to make our home at Salters Lane a difficult place to come. We will be ready for Saturday and if we can do the things we’ve worked on (in training tonight) and carry on the work ethic on the pitch and be focused there’s no reason why we can’t get the result.”

Whatever happens, the Salters Lane faithful are in for an entertaining afternoon - a match between two sides in the top seven in the Bulmers Cider Kent League will certainly provide good football.

“We get the best support in the league and we’re very grateful for that,” said Luchford. “We’re a decent club and it’s great to have many fans as possible.

“We’ve treated them with three wins and eleven goals and we owe it to the people of Faversham to come and see.

“We look forward to every single game, we take each game on each merits and Saturday is one we want to win and we won’t be making the same mistakes we made against Horsham (YMCA) in the FA Cup."

It’s a big weekend of FA Carlsberg Vase football with www.kentishfootball.co.uk as we’ll be covering this game on Saturday and the tie between Erith & Belvedere and Sidlesham at Park View Road on Sunday.

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

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website:  www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

Faversham Town v Tunbridge Wells
FA Carlsberg Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 20^th September 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND