Stefan Payne’s display in Faversham’s victory at Hollands & Blair on Easter Monday has been saluted by boss Tommy Warrilow.

Payne bagged a brace as the Lilywhites fought back to win 2-1 and Warrilow described the striker’s performance as arguably his best since he took charge.

It was the first time the 31-goal forward had netted in the Southern Counties East
Premier Division for nearly a month. Payne, 32, was always likely to deliver the goods at the business end of the season, though.

Warrilow, who replaced Sammy Moore at the helm this January, said: “That’s probably Payney’s best game since I’ve been there.

“He has chased lost causes. He will be annoyed that he didn’t get his hat-trick - at least!

“But if he keeps doing that week-in, week-out - like he has done all throughout his career - that’s great for us.

“People like him don’t need to prove anything to anyone. That was better on Monday.

“His hold-up play and his all-round game was excellent.

“He missed some chances - but still got two very important goals.”

With the Lilywhites returning to action after a nine-day break, Warrilow was pleased with his charges' overall performance in Medway.

Warrilow reflected: “Monday is up there with one of our best performances since I’ve been there.

“We have gone to that one from one of the worst (as Town’s eight men were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Rusthall)!

“Hollands & Blair are a very good side. Connor Dymond turned up on Monday for them and Luke (Jessup, their boss) has done a really good job. I was really pleased with the overall performance.

“The only minor negative was us not killing the game off. They have scored an unbelievable worldie of a goal. Sometimes, you need to take your hat off to the lad.

“But we got an equaliser, upped it to another gear in the second half and got that second goal.”

Warrilow handed Bradley Simms and Tariq Ossai their Faversham debuts at Hollands
& Blair, the defensive duo reunited with their ex-Ashford manager.

Town’s boss, who has dual-registered defenders Josh Vincent and Jake McIntyre with Isthmian South East sides Hythe and Sheppey, explained: “I got wind of them coming out of Ashford, so I was going to move on it.

“There’s, obviously, a connection there from when I took them to Ashford.

“If anyone comes up that can strengthen Faversham Town, I will act on it when I can.

“I’ve spoken to other players and they have turned us down, so it’s not a given. But Tariq and Bradley give us a bit more strength in depth and they will bring quality.

“They both had very good debuts. Hopefully, they will build on that.”

Town now have successive home games against fellow play-off chasing outfits, starting against Corinthian this weekend, before they welcome Snodland to Salters Lane next Saturday.

Michael Golding’s men were actually the first team to beat Faversham this term. They
earned a 3-2 home win in August.

Warrilow said: “They’re not must-win games.

“You cannot treat them like that, unless it’s the last game of the season with something riding on it. But they’re all big games now.

“We just need to play like we did on Monday. If we do that, we will be fine.”

Just two days after the Snodland game, the Lilywhites are now scheduled to visit Tunbridge Wells - a situation Warrilow isn’t best pleased with.

“In a couple of weeks’ time, we have Saturday-to-Monday,” he said. “I’m really not happy with that.

“I don’t know why the games are Saturday-to-Monday-to-Wednesday for Tunbridge Wells that week.

“It’s normally Saturday-to-Tuesday-to-Thursday.

“I wouldn’t have minded playing on the Wednesday - but Erith Town have got that.

“We go nine days (without a game), 10 days (without a game), and then two games in three days.

“Tunbridge Wells is always a tough place to go, as well. But it is what it is.

“I’m not really thinking too much about that because we have got two toughies against Corinthian and Snodland.”

Winger Kieron Campbell will make his Town comeback after suspension against Corinthian, although defensive duo Matt Newman and Ben Gorham will only be available again when they face Tunbridge Wells.