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Faversham Town in market for goalkeeper after Jacob Russell sustains broken nose and other facial injuries in 8-1 Southern Counties East League Premier Division win against Lydd Town

A new goalkeeper is expected to join Faversham’s title bid.

The Lilywhites, at the Southern Counties East League Premier Division summit, have effectively gone from having two No.1s to no keepers in a matter of weeks.

Jacob Russell’s injury in the midweek win over Lydd means Faversham are in need of a new goalkeeper. Picture: Isobel Scammell
Jacob Russell’s injury in the midweek win over Lydd means Faversham are in need of a new goalkeeper. Picture: Isobel Scammell

Jacob Russell sustained seemingly serious facial injuries early on during Tuesday’s 8-1 home victory over basement boys Lydd - leaving midfielder Jarred Trespaderne to don the gloves, with youngster Lewis Briggs also unavailable.

Town manager Tommy Warrilow said: “Briggsy has got health issues and, as sure as eggs are eggs, this is what happens.

“But we’ll enjoy Tuesday’s win, we have got eight goals and the three points, and we’ll look at the league table, as well.

“We’ll be ringing around all the boys to check they’re all okay and then trying to sort a goalie out by the sounds of it.

“Obviously, I’ll be on the phone. I’m sure something will come up.”

Report: Faversham 8-1 Lydd

Russell was caught late by Lydd’s Jerson Dos Santos as he attempted to bundle in a loose ball, the ex-Town forward sent off by referee Amarachi Okamgba for the late challenge after just eight minutes.

Warrilow said: “I don’t like seeing players get sent off but the boys were saying he was late with it.

“Jacob had the ball. Once you see the state of Jacob, I think it was an easy decision for the referee to make.

“To be honest, I thought it would hurt us more than it hurt them, going to 10 men.”

That battle for the loose ball came after Russell had pulled off a top-class save from Lydd striker Stefan Payne’s free-kick.

Jarred Trespaderne - the midfielder played most of Faversham’s game against Lydd in goal. Picture: Randolph File
Jarred Trespaderne - the midfielder played most of Faversham’s game against Lydd in goal. Picture: Randolph File

“Jacob tipped it onto the crossbar,” said Warrilow. “It’s a fantastic save and he has reacted to get up and, obviously, their lad has steamed in.

“He’s not that sort of player, Jerson, but, unfortunately, it was dangerous.

“You only needed to look at the state of Jacob’s face to realise the referee, really, had no choice.”

Faversham offered an update on Russell’s condition on Wednesday.

The club said: “Sadly, our goalkeeper Jacob Russell sustained injuries during last night’s match, including stitches to wounds on his head and near his eye, as well as a broken nose.

Lewis Briggs, Faversham’s second-choice goalkeeper, is sidelined due to health issues. Photo: Stuart Watson
Lewis Briggs, Faversham’s second-choice goalkeeper, is sidelined due to health issues. Photo: Stuart Watson

“Thankfully, there’s no damage to his eye or socket. Everyone at Faversham Town wishes Jacob a speedy recovery.

“We can’t wait to see you back in the No.1 Jersey soon.”

Substitute Trespaderne went between the sticks against one of his former clubs in Russell’s place.

Warrilow said: “He’s a bit erratic, Jazz, isn’t he?! But he was up for it.

“Fair play to him for doing it and he has made a save from a header in the second half.

Hollands & Blair boss Darren Blackburn has made a bright start to his time in charge of the club. Picture: John Anderson
Hollands & Blair boss Darren Blackburn has made a bright start to his time in charge of the club. Picture: John Anderson

“Luckily enough, we defended well and pressed quite high so he wasn’t really tested.”

The absence of a recognised goalkeeper didn’t impact the Lilywhites too much, though, as they eased past the Lydders.

A hat-trick from man-of-the-match Danny Parish, alongside top scorer Tashi-Jay Kwayie’s goal, put them in control by half-time before defender Bradley Simms - with his maiden club goal - netted alongside substitutes Johan Caney-Bryan, Ian Draycott and Dan Thompson.

Payne converted a penalty for the visitors on his Salters Lane return after the interval during a largely forgettable night for the Lydders.

“It’s a fantastic result,” reflected Warrilow. “I know they were down to 10 men but, at the same time, Jazz has gone in goal for us so it’s sort of gone both ways.

“I thought it was a good, solid, performance. On paper they have got an unbelievable side but we were good.

“We were offside a few times - I can pick holes in every performance - but we’ve just won 8-1!

“This was our game in hand and we have made the most of it.”

Warrilow was pleased to see his substitutes making an impact.

He said: “We got everyone on.

"We have got that strength-in-depth and we used it to rest some bodies up with 20 or 25 minutes to go without disrespecting anyone.

“A lot of the players that came on also scored.”

Faversham’s comprehensive triumph against Lydd came after they were held to a goalless home draw by high-fliers Fisher last weekend.

Warrilow said: “The most important thing is, if you aren’t going to win, make sure you don’t lose.

“Fisher are a good side. They’re on a bit of a run, as well, so that was a decent point.

“We just need to make sure we keep demanding off the lads and keep producing.”

Town now sit five points clear ahead of this weekend’s rearranged journey to Hollands & Blair, who came from 2-0 down to earn a dramatic 3-2 midweek win at Whitstable.

Warrilow said: “We have VCD next weekend.

“Like we’ve said before, it’s always nice to be in control of your own destiny and we are. But there’s a long way to go.

“We’ve have got Hollands & Blair twice and you saw on Tuesday that they’re not going to roll over for anyone so I’ll take nothing for granted.”

Blair are narrowly above the relegation zone but are being managed by ex-Sittingbourne boss Darren Blackburn, with the team having only been beaten twice inside 90 minutes since he took over in November.

“Daz will get that [better organisation] out of them,” said Warrilow. “There’s no easy games.

“I’ve looked down the bottom of the league and Bearsted are down there, and Bearsted gave us a tough game.

“You have just got to get on with it. It’s a really difficult league to get your head around.

“All I know is you cannot take anything for granted.

“We got a great result on Tuesday but, now, the most important thing is we don’t throw it away.”

Town will host Whitstable in the Kent Senior Trophy quarter-finals on Tuesday.

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