by Kevin Redsull

Faversham Town manager Ray Turner has achieved the pre-season continuity he was aiming for and is now looking forward to the serious stuff.

The Lilywhites open their Ryman League Division 1 South campaign at home to Eastbourne Town on Saturday and although the squad has changed significantly during the summer, Turner, pictured, is confident the new faces have had enough time to feel at home.

He said: "It’s been a good pre-season in terms of continuity. I have brought in a lot of new players but they have had time to bed in.

"Last season I was forced to do the same thing halfway through the campaign, which was disruptive and, because of that, I have resisted the temptation over the past few weeks to bring in any more players."

Turner is hoping Danny Lawrence (ankle) will recover in time for Saturday’s opener but he admitted Danny Hockton (back) and Renford Tenyue (ankle) were both "very doubtful" for the meeting with an Eastbourne side who twice beat the Lilywhites 3-0 last season, including once in a Ryman League Cup tie.

Turner added: "I think Eastbourne have won all their pre-season games. They have got a big catchment area down there and are able to draw in experienced players from teams like Eastbourne Borough."

On Tuesday, Faversham are away to Ramsgate.