Faversham to come out fighting says Sorters’ boss. Touché say the Hamlet.

With the title race as tight as the rear-end of the proverbial duck, Dulwich face a tough away trip this afternoon as they ready themselves to take on a Faversham Town side still harbouring their own deep-seated dreams of making the jump up into the Premier Division. Though Salters Lane proved a happy hunting ground last term when goals from Dean Carpenter, Ishmail Kamara and Kevin James helped the Hamlet to a convincing 3-0 victory, Dulwich players and supporters will need no reminding of Faversham’s battling performance at the Hill back in late October. That afternoon the Kent side rallied from a goal down and, despite being a man shy for 34 after the dismissal of James Peacock for a second cautionable offence, ended Dulwich’s 100% home record thanks to a stunning cross from wingback Jamie Maxted. Earlier Dulwich had taken a deserved lead three minutes into the second half after Frankie Sawyer had finished off a breath-taking 12-man move but despite winning the corner count by a goodly amount, 14-3, Dulwich were unable to kill off their opponents. The dismissal of Peacock seemed to instil a devil-may-care into the Brewery Boys as they found an attacking zeal previously absent to peg back the Hamlet and depart Champion Hill with a fully merited share of the points in their swag bag.

The Faversham Town Ray Turner has promised more of the same this afternoon with pledges to come out all guns blazing against Gavin Rose’s similarly adventurous XI, giving fans prospect of a mouth-watering contest of unbridling attacking intent more thrills and spills than an afternoon at Alton Towers.

Despite their promotion chances being pooh-poohed by the bookies preseason, quoted as long as 40-1 for the title, those with their finger on the pulse of Kentish Football will not have been surprised to see Faversham battling for a promotion spot after a summer of squad augmentation. After a sketchy start to the season they built steadily before hitting a sticky patch slipping back into the pack though more by dint of matches lost to the weather than games lost to the opposition. However by February they were back in the promotion hunt once more grinding out results after the turn of the year, losing just twice in 13 games after the New Year’s Day defeat of Hythe at Salters Lane, at home to Folkestone Invicta and, rather surprisingly, on the road at struggling Walton & Hersham, both by the only goal of the game. Back to back reverses at home to Whitstable (1-4) and Worthing (1-2) a fortnight apart saw the gap to the top two widen.

However, Turner’s team returned to form after those disappointing defeats with a fine comeback from 2-0 down to hold promotion rivals Hythe on Easter Saturday before beating upsetting Sittingbourne, fresh from their feisty conquest of Maidstone, 3-0 in the Swale derby at Salters Lane last Monday.

With five games to go, the Sorters now lie third, 11 points behind leaders Maidstone and chasing Dulwich Hamlet and with a game against the Stones to come a week today. Even if they cannot capture the title themselves, Faversham might still hold its destiny in their hands.
In the race for the top five and with it a precious invite to the play off party, the Lilywhites are seven points clear of sixth placed Folkestone Invicta, although Leatherhead, in seventh, could go within a point of the Lilywhites should they win their two games in hand, one of which is the much anticipated rescheduled clash with the Hamlet.

Speaking to Kent Online Turner was ebullient saying, “The good thing after the weekend is everyone is still chasing us and with the way that we’re playing I don’t see any reason why we can’t beat Dulwich.
“I learned a bit when we drew up there in October. We were 1-0 down and down to 10 men and I decided we were going to attack them.
“We got the equaliser and in the end nearly won it. We’ll be on the front foot this weekend.”

Key players for the Sorters will include giant shot stopper Simon Overland who counts Margate, Hayes and Yeading, Fisher Athletic and Millwall amongst his former clubs as well as Dulwich Hamlet whilst striker Danny Hockton, still knocking them in at the ripe old age of 33, is no stranger to South East London having wore the Millwall blue with pride. However, Turner will be unable to call upon the services of midfielder Wayne Wilson as he begins a three-match ban whilst experienced sharpshooter Lyndon Rowland will be unavailable. However, the news is tempered by the return of central midfield man Aiden Sherlock from suspension whilst James Peacock will be hoping to put in a full 90-minute shift this time as he nears fitness following a long-term knee injury.

Turner’s Dulwich counterpart, Gavin Rose, also has a few selection headaches with a number of players pushing the pain envelope as the run in to the title denouncement reaches its crescendo though he is confident that the likes of strikers Daniel Carr and Connor French will be raring to go come kick off time today.

Faversham’s Shepherd Neame Stadium at Salters Lane is but a short stroll from Faversham Station for those traveling by train and handily placed off the A2 for those who refer to take the car. There is ample free parking at the ground that has disabled access, a fully licensed clubhouse bar as well as tea and food bar.

Admission Prices:

• Adults (18-60) £8
• Concessions (60+ and Student Card Holders) £4
• Children under 18 Free (NB: under 12's must be accompanied by adult)