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Faversham boss Ray Turner looks forward to the FA Trophy tie against Sittingbourne

Manager Ray Turner says Faversham owe their supporters a performance when they host Swale rivals Sittingbourne in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

Town’s Bostik South East rivals visit Salters Lane a fortnight after the Lilywhites were beaten 2-1 at home by Whitstable.

Turner felt his players failed to do themselves justice on that occasion and says the Trophy preliminary round tie gives them the opportunity to put things right.

He said: “We let ourselves down in the last derby, against Whitstable, so we owe the supporters a performance on Saturday.

Faversham manager Ray Turner Picture: Chris Davey
Faversham manager Ray Turner Picture: Chris Davey

“Sittingbourne look to have made a pretty reasonable start to the season, so it’s got the potential to be another good game in front of another good crowd.

“The gates have been terrific so far so it would be nice to put on a show for the supporters.”

Town go into the match with just one win from their last seven league and cup matches but Turner was encouraged by their performance in Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with East Grinstead.

The result followed a 7-2 defeat away to unbeaten leaders Cray on Saturday – a result which Turner admitted he found ‘humiliating’.

The Town boss revealed he and his players had a full and frank discussion after that game and he was delighted with their response against Grinstead.

He said: “I think when you lose like that you have to be humble and give the opposition credit.

“They had some big performances, both individually and collectively but we did not help ourselves by conceding early goals which enabled them to control the game.

“It’s not something I would want to go through again but afterwards we had a good chat.

“It was an open conversation and we put it (the result) to bed.

“It was important that we didn’t have a hangover and take that into Tuesday but the players responded positively.

“The ultimate response would have been a 1-0 victory which is what we deserved but when you’re dealing with a side that has not got a lot of confidence, you often get that little kickback at the end and that’s what happened with their equaliser.

“It was disappointing but the performance gives us something to build on and the Trophy game comes a good time for us.”

Keeper Simon Overland had to come off at half-time against Grinstead due to his ongoing hip problem and is likely to need more rest, so Tom Benham will start against Sittingbourne.

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