We've got very little to lose and an awful lot to gain, says Faversham Town boss Ray Turner

FAVERSHAM TOWN boss Ray Turner challenges his players to enjoy the occasion as they bid to win at Maidstone United on Saturday to seal promotion into the Ryman Premier League.


Turner has guided the Salters Lane club to third-place after 42 games and they stunned Hythe Town with three goals in a clinical six minute spell in the play-off semi-final on Tuesday night.

Faversham central defender Matt Bourne scored twice with his feet following two trademark Aaron Lacy throws, before Renford Tenyue finished off a fine three-man move to win it.

All that stands between Faversham and the Ryman Premier League are league runners-up Maidstone United – and The Lilywhites must replicate their last game at The Gallagher Stadium, when goals from Luke Harvey and Danny Hockton secured a 2-1 win three weeks ago.

“I hope it will be a case of our players being able to relax enough to express themselves and show what they’re all about,” said Turner.

“I think that’s the most important thing. They need to enjoy the occasion. We’ve got to go there with a plan to win it because that’s only natural. It’s going to be very difficult.

“Maidstone played really well against us recently and I’m fully aware of their attacking threat and the problems they may cause us but you have to back yourselves. 

“Look at where we’ve come from, what we’ve achieved on Tuesday night and we’ve got very little to lose on Saturday and an awful lot to gain.

“I’m not really thinking about the possible next level yet but we’re slowly putting things in place and we’re starting to be a difficult side to play against.

“We’re going to go there and give it a real shot.”

Whatever happens on Saturday, Faversham can be proud of what they have achieved this season – and play-offs are a cruel method to settle promotion issues especially if you lose.

When asked whether their victory a few weeks ago will have any baring on Saturday’s winner-takes-all showdown, Turner replied, “No, I don’t think so!  It makes it harder for us in many respects. I think they have seen where our threats are, we’ve seen where their threats are, but I think it makes it harder for us to go and win there twice in affectively four weeks or under, but it won’t be for the lack of planning and preparation and it won’t be through a lack of effort or endeavour from the players that’s for sure.”

When asked whether his side will train on a 3g pitch leading up to the game, Turner says he has given his players the week off to prepare properly.

He said: “It’s a fine balance. Most of the players will have a rest. I think mentally these games take a lot out of people.  These are part-time players who have to go back to work and these are big occasions so most of it will be rest and recuperation before Saturday.”

Turner is relishing the underdog tag going into their last game of an excellent season.

“We’re very much the underdogs, so be it, we’ll deal with that,” said Turner.

“We have to make it hard for them on the day. The harder that we can make it then the more anxiety must come into their game. They’ve had to deal with that all season so it’s nothing new to them, they’ll be used to it by now.

“I’ve got great faith on what we’ve done this year and what we’ve put together. I’ve got great faith in the players. They’ve been with me all season and ever since I’ve stepped up I’ve got great faith in everyone around me and we haven’t got nothing to lose, have we?”

This match is a sold-out all-ticket affair.

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

Maidstone United  v  Faversham Town
Ryman League Division One South Play-Off Final
Saturday 4^th May 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Gallagher Stadium, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LQ