Holder: To be skipper of a successful Faversham Town side would be a great honour

Terry Cordice wore a wry smile when all ten of his outfield players rushed to join a flare-up in the penalty area as Faversham Town went for the jugular against Herne Bay on Tuesday night, writes James Brown.

For the Lilywhite boss realised that unlike last year, this new-look Faversham Town side are not about to be bullied by anyone in this, their debut campaign in the Kent League.

Milton Athletic pitched up at Salters Lane for the first game of last season, tore up the script and battered Faversham Town for 90 minutes in a game they won 3-2.

Faversham Town were 2-0 up in the return only to capitulate in the face of more rough-house tactics, losing 3-2 once again.

But Cordice was pleased to see that his new side are more than happy to meet fire with fire highlighted by that late, late melee in the penalty box after Herne Bay goalkeeper Jack Delo failed to hold a cross.

Cordice explained: "That was a real baptism of fire. It reminded me of the first game last season when he were bullied off the park by Milton.

"The big thing for me is there was a big melee at the end and everyone was in there as a team, as a unit and that's what I want.

"I want build a side that's gonna be together - all for one and one for all. That was superb, I'm just disappointed we didn't get a result because I think we did deserve a result."

A fabulous second-half display saw Faversham Town come within a whisker of securing an unlikely point at Winch’s Field with goals from skipper James Holder and new boy Dane Luchford making it 3-2 with seconds to play.

And then Jason Mills had everyone on their feet with a terrific shot that smacked against the far post with Delo beaten.

Cordice said: "We deserved something from this game. Definitely. Especially after our second-half performance.

"To be fair, they could have sat back after scoring three goals but we actually stopped them from playing second half. We had them penned in their half.

"We had alot of chances, alot of corners. The ball just wouldn't sit. We probably scored the first goal too late but having said that Danesey has scored a great goal it's just a shame that Shoesey didn't score at the death there.

"But we're not disappointed. The lads have set a standard now.

"They had a few breakaways towards the end of the second half but that's because we were chasing the game. It was a great half for us."

Cordice's half-time team talk worked wonders with Faversham Town showing real desire after the break.

He said: "I'm pleased with the way they responded because I did give them a rollicking at half-time. We had given them two sloppy goals from corners.

"Two dead ball situations we should have dealt with but they have hurt us. We said to them at half time that they must learn from that.

And they will. My team talk at half time was robust to say the least.

"It was quite heavy because one or two of them needed to know that we must defend a lot better and to be fair, second half they did."

"To be fair, they all played better in the second half, they all did well. We freshened it up with John Goodwin and Dane Luchford. I thought Andy Martin worked hard before that while Junior Farrell had a blinding game.

“We isolated him a bit but we'll work on that and get the ball to him. We'll get there we are working on players and we will get players working to the system we want.

"Steve Aslett got better as the game went on - he's been out of the game for a long time - and I thought that Wes Hammond handled with Richard Dimmock much better second half."

Cordice was delighted with the performance of his new skipper James Holder.

He said: "James Holder was quality. He might have been at fault for their second goal but he led by example. He encouraged when he needed to and gave out rollickings when he needed to and it didn't affect his game.

"He also scored a great goal and he won't shut up about that now but Dane's scored an even better goal and it's just unfortunate that Shoesey's effort wasn't a couple of inches inside the post because it would have been a brilliant end to the game.

"We've lost but we're happy. We have to take the positives out of that and there's alot of positives. A draw would have been a fair result. They gave them a right rollicking at the end there and that tells its own story.

"What I want now is for the lads to give us that second-half performance from the start on Saturday against Sevenoaks. The first game is out of the way now. That was a big thing.

"We did concede two sloppy goals but we've bounced back. Hopefully, we'll be at the races from the start on Saturday."

Cordice finished up by heaping praise on the club's army of supporters with more than 50 making the trip to Herne Bay.

He said: "Our fans were incredible last year and it was fantastic here again - and we were away from home. Brilliant. They roared us on and they never stopped cheering us on and that really helped the lads. I'd like to thank them all for their support. We all really appreciate it."

James Holder has spoken of his pride at being made captain for re-born Faversham Town's debut season in the Kent League.

Centre half Holder, 20, is believed to be the youngest skipper in the club's 104-year history and he insisted: "It's a privilege. It's my second season down here and although I'm one of the more experienced players although I am still only 20.

"It's a real honour to represent Faversham Town as skipper. It was a surprise at first because I thought there were a few other candidates but it was nice to be put in the frame."

Holder made his bow as captain in the 3-2 defeat to Herne Bay and was thrilled to cap a solid

performance with Faversham Town's first goal.

He said: "Tonight was quality. You can't ask for any more. We're away from home but we still had 50 or 60 fans here cheering us on all the way and you're leading the side out.

"It was the icing on the cake to score a goal, it's just a shame we couldn't score an equaliser. I think we deserved a point for the way we battled in the second half

"We can only go on from here. The spirits are really high. Our coach Paul Copley summed it up for me when he said we have fire in our hearts now.

"So we are looking forward to Sevenoaks now and hoping we can take that second half performance into that game.

"We are learning each other's games still with the new lads coming but that was a good 45 minutes and we are gelling.

"We have a good few outlets now and everyone seems to be on the top of their games."

Holder said the lads were buzzing after coming close to snatching a point at Winch’s Field.

He said: "You certainly couldn't ask for a better spirit - be it in the dressing room, during the game and afterwards. We are united.

"I think we will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season on the basis of that performance because Herne Bay are one of the fancied sides in the league.

"We started off cold but matched them after the break when we had the better of it, winning 2-0. We can only go on from here."

Holder said he had a special affection for Faversham Town. He said: "I've settled in so well at Faversham because of the people. It's such a good atmosphere throughout the club from the committee, the supporters and the team. It just lifts you.

"I mean. We were 3-0 down here tonight but the fans are still cheering, they are still there so that is the main lift. The fans helped alot.

"I'll take it one season at a time but I'd like to take Faversham as far as I possibly can. I'm happy at the club and I'm happy with the people. As far as I can see, I'm staying.

"To be skipper of a successful Faversham Town side would be a great honour."

Article courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk