Boss Sammy Moore feels Faversham’s hard-fought Challenge Cup triumph at Larkfield & New Hythe should stand them in good stead for a vital run of matches ahead.

A Stefan Payne free-kick got the Lilywhites to a 1-0 win over their Division 1 hosts on Tuesday.

With four tough Southern Counties East Premier Division matches to play before the end of the year, Moore expects his league leaders to come up against more of the same. Among their scheduled opponents are second-placed Glebe and in-form rivals Deal.

Moore said: “We always knew it was going to be a tough game, coming to a place like this.

“They’re a good side. It’s their cup final and I thought they were good.

“They were on the front foot, caused us problems and we had to stick in, and stick together. The pitch wasn’t great.

“I thought it was great practice for us with the games coming up in the league where the pitches aren’t great - but we will have to do the other side of the game.

“I have been critical of the team for not doing that side of the game but I thought we did it well.”

Payne has been in blistering goal-scoring form since joining Faversham in September and was at it again against Larkfield.

On his free-kick goal, Moore revealed to Faversham’s media team: “I didn’t think Stef was taking it, to be fair!

“I thought Billy Bennett was going to take it. But he’s picked the ball up and it’s a heck of a strike. The keeper didn’t even dive, I don’t think, and that’s what he’s got.

“In games like this, you need a little bit of quality. Stef has got that. Then, we saw the game out fantastically well and managed it well. We have got really good experience on that pitch that can see games out and we did that.

“It was a great performance.”

But Town certainly didn’t have it all their own way and were indebted to several fine saves by young keeper Lewis Briggs while fellow youth-team product Eban Gurung also started.

Moore enthused: “He was outstanding.

“We have asked him to change his style.

“When he first came into the team, he was sort of always on his line. But you saw on Tuesday that he swept anything over the top as a sweeper-keeper and he’s made four or five outstanding saves.

“So, I’m delighted for him. He’s only going to get better.”

Faversham, who moved back top of the league with a 3-1 victory at bottom side Kennington last Friday night through two-goal Billy Bennett and a goal from Kieron Campbell, host VCD this Saturday. They had gone four matches without a victory before beating Ton.

The sides met on the opening day of the campaign as the Lilywhites ran out 3-0 winners.

But 36-year-old Moore warned: “It’s going to be a tough game.

“We had them watched on Saturday at Punjab. We know what they’re going to be like.

“Pretty much like every team, they’re going to come to our ground - a nice pitch, nice stadium and a big crowd - so they’re going to be up for it.

“For me, we’ve got to get on the front foot, play how we did in the first half against Kennington, really pass the ball and take our chances.

“It doesn’t matter about performances now - it’s about results.”