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Faversham Town manager Ray Turner hopes his team can build on their win over Ryman League Division 1 South leaders Folkestone Invicta

Faversham manager Ray Turner hailed the depth and resilience of his squad after Saturday's eye-catching win against Ryman League Division 1 South leaders Folkestone Invicta.

The Lilywhites were already without experienced centre-half John Scarborough through suspension when defender Ryan Cooper pulled out of the team in the warm-up after suffering a back spasm.

Eighteen-year-old striker Liam King had to come in off the bench leaving Turner with only two fit substitutes (Dean Grant and Dave Botterill) and he then lost Ashley Brown early in the second half following a heavy tackle.

Faversham Town manager Ray Turner
Faversham Town manager Ray Turner

Teenage centre-back Josh McCallum finished the game limping with an ankle injury and Turner said it was great to see his team respond so magnificently in adversity.

He said: "It's great to win down here. I've just made the point to the players (that) it was a great squad effort. There was a lot thrown at us today - we changed the formation three times, we had only two fit players on the bench and we've had a young player (McCallum) finish the game injured.

"There's an easy route out (in these circumstances) when you either capitulate or you stand up, and grow up a little bit which is what we did. I was really proud of the players, both the senior players and the youngsters and I even think we can take our performances onto another level because I think we can pass and move the ball better."

Town's win was their third in eight days - following 2-1 wins over Dorking Wanderers (league) and Folkestone again (League Cup) - and Turner now wants them to launch a real bid for the play-offs.

Turner, whose side are ninth, added: "In two games against Folkestone we've been the better team in both but they're the ones still laughing at the moment because they are standing eight points clear of us with a game in hand.

"We've not done anything yet until we start climbing the league again. I just want to push the group on and make them have that drive and ambition to try and get up the table.

"We've got to try and get our heads down during the winter months and try to reel in that eight-point deficit.

"Historically we've got better as the seasons have gone on generally at this level. I think this result has got to be a huge confidence boost for the players and let's hope we can now go on a nice long unbeaten run."

Town travel to Carshalton on Monday and Turner will have to check on the fitness of Brown and McCallum. Scarborough, though, will be free to play after his ban.

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