We want a side full of local players, says Wells boss Farnie

Tunbridge Wells manager Martin Farnie has urged his players to put in more effort for tomorrow’s Kent Senior Trophy Semi-Final at league leaders Beckenham Town.

Farnie has three major injury doubts ahead of their trip to Eden Park Avenue.

Captain Jason Bourne will see a physio in a bid to clear up his ankle problem, while Bradley Mortimer and Adrian Hatcher are also doubts after picking up knocks during their 1-0 defeat to VCD Athletic last Saturday.

Farnie told the Kent & Sussex Courier: “We’ve got two or three lads in the reserves ready to step in if they can’t make it but they have first team experience so they are capable of doing well.

“Beckenham play the best football in the entire league but I’m confident we can get a result against them because we matched them both times we played them earlier in the season.

“If we can eradicate all our mistakes then there’s no reason why we can’t get through to the final and that would be a real boost for the club.”

The former Tunbridge Wells player, who has also managed Canterbury City and coached Dartford, has welcomed the positive impression made by some of the club’s young players in the last week.

Charlie Sharman and Anthus Davis, who usually play for the under 16s, have both appeared for the reserves, with Sharman scoring in a recent cup tie at Ashford Town and Farnie is hoping their progress will benefit his team in years to come.

He said: “They’ve both done exceptionally well and I am working very closely with the reserves to try and bring our own players through.

“When I arrived here, there were no local players and we’re trying to change that gradually because it’s important to have a link with the area.

“Hopefully, in three or four years time we might have a whole team of local players.”