Ray Turner believes his Faversham Town side are not far away from competing with the best in the Bostik South East.

Turner’s side have take four points from their opening three games.

Faversham will host newly promoted Sevenoaks Town in their next league match on Saturday and go into the fixture after a 2-0 defeat at Ashford United on Monday.

Turner said: “We are bedding down a new side at the moment and for me we need a bit more belief.

“I do not think we are far away from competing with the best in this league.

“It is important that we bounce back on Saturday and there’s a bit of a reaction. I have enough experience in the dressing room to know what is expected of them.

“Sevenoaks have recruited well and I expect them to have a good season. It takes a few games to adjust to the league but they have been close in their first two games. I think it will be a good contest.”

Two first half goals from Ashford on Monday was enough to give Gary Alexander’s side the three points.

Turner was impressed with the quality in Ashford’s side.

He said: “The strength of their squad and the quality of the players they have is very good.

“They should go close to being at the top towards the end of the season.

“I felt we let ourselves down a little bit with the second goal we conceded.

“Their first was a very good goal but the second was one I was disappointed with as we did not do our jobs properly.

“Had we kept it to 1-0 it could have been a different game in that second half.”

Faversham are also through to the next round of the FA Cup after a 4-1 victory over Hackney Wick on Saturday.

They will play Worthing in the next round of the competition.

Turner said: “I’m really pleased. We had a good record of getting through to the next round. These games are not easy and can often be awkward.

“They came down in good form. The key to these games is starting well and not allowing them to settle.

“We started brilliant with two early goals and then got the third before half-time.

“They had a go in the second half but we coped with that well.”