Faversham manager James Collins is delighted to have defender Matt Bourne back at Salters Lane.

The Lilywhites legend left for Ashford on the day Collins took over last season but his return has helped Town make an unbeaten start in Isthmian South East.

They sit seventh with four points from eight games and Bourne is playing a key role.

“I didn’t want him to leave in the first place,” said Collins.

“It was my first day in the job and he rang me and said he felt it was time to move on. He’d made the decision before I came in.

“I’ve such respect for what he’s done in the game, I told him the door was always open.

“We had a chat in the summer but he opted for Sheppey, but then he decided to come back after all.

“Not many people play 420 games for one club - he’s a legend here - and he’s been brilliant since he came back.

“We signed him after we let in five against Carshalton in the FA Cup and since then we’ve let in two in four games.”

Faversham could easily have a couple more points on the board, conceding a last-minute equaliser against Sevenoaks last Saturday.

Harry Harding appeared to have won it when he opened the scoring with three minutes left but Tom Ripley equalised at the death.

It was disappointing but it’s been a good start to the season, including a 3-0 derby win at Sittingbourne and a 2-1 success at Cray Valley.

Collins said: “We conceded from Sevenoaks’ only shot on target in the last minute but I can’t complain because we’ve taken eight points from four games and we’ve had a tough run of fixtures.

“I said to the players I’ve been in dressing rooms when you’re expected to win the league and you win a game and say well done, shake hands and focus on the next one - but every point we get is like a mini-cup final, it’s a great feeling.

“We got the point against Hastings with the last-minute penalty save, Sittingbourne was a great win away and Cray we scored at the end.

“It was a sucker punch on Saturday but Sevenoaks are a team you’d expect to be up there, so it’s not a bad result.”

Collins takes charge of an FA Trophy match for the first time this Saturday when Faversham host Hertford of Isthmian South Central in the second qualifying round.

He watched Hertford’s 2-1 home defeat by Waltham Abbey on Tuesday night.

“It’s my first match in the Trophy and hopefully we can get a win,” said Collins.

“Last season they were lower reaches but they’ve had an all right start. We know a bit about them.”

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