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Faversham Town manager Ray Turner hoping to showcase Lilywhite's Ryman League Division 1 South credentials during visit of Sittingbourne

Ray Turner hopes Faversham Town can showcase their table-topping credentials when Sittingbourne visit for the Swale derby on Saturday.

The Lilywhites boss saw his side come from behind to win 3-2 at Tooting & Mitcham on Saturday to keep pace with the leading pack in Ryman League, Division 1 South and repeat the trick in Tuesday night's win at Horsham ensured they will be top on Christmas Day.

Harry Smith put the hosts ahead inside five minutes but it took just six minutes for Dean Grant to level for the Lilywhites and after Horsham's Ryan Woodford saw red in the second half, Jamie Maxted pounced to seal the points 19 minutes from time.

The victory took them two points clear of second-placed Merstham, having played a game fewer, and three clear of Burgess Hill in third, who do retain five games in hand after their FA Cup and Trophy exploits this season.

Turner said: “Saturday is a big day for the club, we have the opportunity to stay top.

“Folkestone winning at the weekend and a defeat for Whyteleafe means the top four is starting to take shape and it’s nice to be in the mix.

“Burgess Hill, Merstham and Folkestone have all got to play each other and it’s up to us to try and capitalise.

“Any team can slip up and drop silly points, so it’s up to us to try and come through games like Sittingbourne and put points on the board.”

He added: “We’re hoping to get a big crowd along.

“With the way the games have fallen across Boxing Day and the weekend, we are the only teams in Kent playing at this level.

“Maidstone are away too, so hopefully football fans in Kent can come along and watch us and see what we’re all about.

“The boys are enjoying being up there. It’s natural that they spend more time talking about the table, especially in this day and age when you’ve got the league table on every mobile phone.”

Turner heaped praise on last Saturday’s match-winner Josh Stanford who came on at half-time to score twice and inspire the win.

Ray Turner. Picture: Tony Flashman.
Ray Turner. Picture: Tony Flashman.

The manager said: “It was always in my mind to bring him on but the boys in the team have done well the last few weeks so I left him on the bench.

“When he came on he changed the game for us. It was fantastic. He turned out to be crucial to our success. He gives us something special.”

Turner is set to turn his attention to extending the loan of Maidstone’s Charley Robertson, which expires after the Herne Bay game on New Year’s Day, while striker Renford Tenyue has been given the all-clear to resume training after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat following an on-field collapse last month.

A remembrance service is being held in memory of former Faversham manager Dave McFall at St Peter’s Church in Sydenham Street, Whitstable, at 1.30pm on January 4.

It will be followed by drinks at the Duke of Cumberland in the town.

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