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Sport

Faversham Town boss Sammy Moore considers adding to his attacking options again after injuries to top scorer Stefan Payne and Jefferson Aibangbee in 3-1 win over Lydd Town

By: Thomas Reeves treeves@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 10 November 2023

Manager Sammy Moore may look to strengthen Faversham’s attacking options even further.

The Lilywhites were dealt injury blows to top scorer Stefan Payne and frontman Jefferson Aibangbee as they won Tuesday’s home Challenge Cup match against Lydd 3-1.

Stefan Payne – Faversham’s top scorer is an injury doubt for this Saturday’s trip to Welling Town after a came off in the first half of their midweek win. Picture: Ian Scammell

While Town are not exactly short on forward options, Warren Mfula will be the only out-and-out striker in their squad if Payne is sidelined for an extended period.

Moore, whose side thrashed Stansfeld 8-0 in the Southern Counties East Premier Division last weekend, said: “We haven’t got a massive squad.

“We might need to have a look at that. But the substitutes who have come on have done fantastically well over the last two games.

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“If we’re going to do anything this year, we’re going to need a squad and that strength-in-depth.”

Payne came off in the first half, immediately after midfielder Sam Hasler scored the first of his two goals against Lydd. Substitute Billy Bennett rounded off the victory.

Faversham boss Sammy Moore with coach Tim Dixon. Picture: Ian Scammell

On 32-year-old hitman Payne, Moore revealed: “We think he has done his hip flexor but we’re not too sure.

“We need to have a look at that over the next couple of days.

“It might give a chance for Warren to have a run in the team. He’s disappointed when he doesn’t start but I thought he deserved a goal on Tuesday.

“Their keeper made a couple of good saves - and at the minute, it just won’t go in.

“But you’ve just got to keep working hard and getting in those positions and it’ll soon turn.”

Faversham’s Warren Mfula will be the only out-and-out fit striker in their squad if Stefan Payne is sidelined for an extended period. Picture: Ian Scammell

Payne had bagged yet another brace against Stansfeld, defender Matt Newman was at the double, too. Their other goals came from right-back Josh Vincent, Hasler, captain Connor Essam and Aibangbee.

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Those wins have coincided with Moore moving his side away from a formation which included a three-man defence.

Having finally beaten Lydd - a team who had already done the league double over Faversham – Moore said: “We learnt from the two games we played against them in the league.

“I don’t think we did ourselves justice in both of them. But that’s gone.

“We had Tuesday to put things right, we wanted to put things right and we’ve played that shape a couple of times now. We look harder to beat and it allows Sam Hasler and Billy Bingham to get up the pitch more.

“You can see, with Has, that’s three goals in two games so he’s starting to score goals, like we know he can.

“Over both games this week, it’s been a fantastic effort.”

With leaders Glebe in FA Vase action, the Lilywhites could regain their place at the summit this Saturday. They travel to strugglers Welling Town, who produced a surprise 3-2 weekend win at Whitstable.

Moore admitted: “They had a fantastic result at Whitstable, I didn’t see that one coming!

“We have got to respect them. We have to go there, earn the right and play to our full potential. If we do that, I’m sure we will be fine.

“If we focus on ourselves and hit the levels that we can week-in, week-out, then the results will be determined by us.

“We’re looking forward to that one. If we win, we’ll go top – exactly where we want to be.”

That match is followed by a trip to Snodland on Wednesday.

Moore said: “As long as we don’t go and get beat, I’ll see that as a positive result.

“They have started well. I’ve watched them a couple of times. They’re big, strong, and physical. They’re a good outfit.

“There’s probably harder teams in this league this season than there were last season (in Isthmian South East).”

Faversham have been drawn away to Larkfield & New Hythe in the Challenge Cup Third Round.

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