FAVERSHAM TOWN MOVE UP TO SECOND IN SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST PREMIER DIVISION WITH TWO WINS IN THREE GAMES - AND NOW WANT TO SECURE HOME PLAY-OFF ADVANTAGE

Faversham have moved up to second in the table - and boss Tommy Warrilow now wants to ensure they stay there ahead of the play-offs.

An early goal from forward Darnelle Bailey-King and a first-half penalty by midfielder

Sam Hasler guided them to a 2-0 Southern Counties East Premier Division victory at Tunbridge Wells on Monday night.

That came after midfielder Billy Bennett’s late winner - after the same player had missed a penalty - helped beat Snodland 2-1 at home on Saturday.

Top scorer Stefan Payne had cancelled out striker Francis Babalola’s first-half effort.

Finishing in the runners-up spot would mean Town’s Play-off Semi-Final - and Final if they win they were to progress - would be played at Salters Lane.

“Obviously, you want the home advantage,” said Warrilow.

“That’s for the fans, as well as for the football club. We don’t want to be throwing this opportunity away.

“But there’s no chance that we will take it for granted.

“The next two games are vital. We want to hold onto second.

“Months ago, I always knew the league was a bit false and, unfortunately, everyone was winning their games in hand.

“But we just remained calm and got on with it.”

One-time Rotherham player Bailey-King, now 26, was the Lilywhites’ man-of-the-match at Tunbridge Wells as he netted on his first start for the club.

Warrilow admitted: “Bailey was a real threat on Monday.

“That shows why he’s different from what we have got. He has played in the Championship before.

“He has lost his way a little bit but his pace and skill is frightening.

“Like everyone in non-league football, there’s bits to work on with him.

“But if you were looking for an example of someone giving absolutely everything, there’s probably a picture of him below it.”

Bailey-King helped fill the void left by 34-goal Payne, who was nursing a slight knock picked up against Snodland.

“I didn’t want to build it up too much - but that was the game in hand for us to go second,” said Warrilow. “So we knew the implications going into it.

“But every game has sort of been like that since I came here.

“It was never going to be pretty. But we kept a clean sheet and got the win.

“Anyone from the outside looking in, they might have seen it as a potential banana skin - because I would.”

Defender Ben Gorham returned from a three-match suspension at Tunbridge Wells

to replace Finn O’Mara, another player who failed a fitness test as he struggled with the quick turnaround.

“Finn rolled his ankle on Saturday and wasn’t quite right,” explained Warrilow. “So Ben

came in, helped keep a clean sheet and that’s how cut-throat it is.

“That’s just the hard thing in football. I’m going to have more decisions to make for Saturday.

“Obviously, some lads are going to be upset. But with a maximum of four games to go, there’s no time for sulking.”

Faversham are set to host basement boys Welling Town this Saturday. Warrilow, who planned to watch them play at Snodland on Wednesday, won’t underestimate a team which have already won at Whitstable this term.

He said: “They are fighting for their lives, aren’t they?

“We had Rusthall when they were second from bottom and, obviously, finished with seven outfield players - which didn’t help! But I said at the time that could be a really important point (as it finished 2-2).

“I will be going to watch them at Snodland but we just need to concentrate on ourselves.”

Experienced defender Matt Newman has returned from his three-game ban.

The first 125 fans at the Welling Town game will be entitled to a free beer.

2024-04-19T06:14:51Z dg43tfdfdgfd