Young goalkeeper Lewis Briggs remains part of Faversham’s plans.

Briggs, who started the campaign with the Lilywhites’ under-23s before he stepped up
into their first-team squad, has joined play-off chasing Isthmian South East side Hythe
on dual registration.

Defender Rahman Kareem has also linked-up with Isthmian North high-fliers Bowers & Pitsea in a similar agreement.

But manager Tommy Warrilow, who saw current No.1 Jacob Russell save a first-half penalty in an eventful 2-2 home draw with Rusthall last weekend, said: “I spoke to Watty (Cannons manager Steve Watt) a few weeks ago about Briggsy.

“He’s not been released or let go, or anything like that. Briggsy is a very good goalie
and has been unfortunate to come out the side.

“The one thing I’ve done is make sure he knows that he’s a massive part of my plans, going forward.

“We have put him on dual registration with a team in the league above. It shows how
much we believe in him.

“For Briggsy, it’s a great bit of experience, playing in a higher league. He’s a big part of what I want to do with the club.

“It’s the same for young Rahman. I’ve made some calls and got him to the league above as well.

“He’s a good age and a good athlete. He needs to get better - of course he does - but he needs to be playing.

“Stranger things have happened than them coming back and being in our play-off team.

“The fact they have gone to the league above goes to show the ability they have.”

Promotion-chasing Southern Counties East Premier Division team Faversham raced 2-0 ahead inside 15 minutes at Salters Lane through goals by midfielders Billy Bennett and Sam Hasler - only for things to quickly unravel.

Rusthall levelled through a goal in either half, despite the spot-kick they failed to convert, before defenders Ben Gorham and Matt Newman, alongside midfielder Kieron Campbell, were sent off - the latter for two cautions - as Faversham ended with eight men.

Warrilow reflected: “Everyone is going to be talking about the three sendings-off.

“But I would rather not talk about it any more than it has been spoken about.

“I was not happy at all with our performance. I don’t know why but, after the first 20
minutes, we didn’t get anything right. That’s not as individuals but as a team.

“Coming in at half-time, we just had a kick up the backside with the penalty, which we saved, but we just didn’t get going.

“Sometimes, in a season, you’re going to have games like that. Let’s not forget, because I keep forgetting, we didn’t actually lose the game!

“Forget about the red cards, I would probably say that’s the worst performance since I have been in charge. But I don’t want to do an injustice to the players that battled out the draw.

“Fair play to Deal, they got a great result on Saturday (beating Glebe 4-2). Nothing sur-
prises me in football anymore, but I would be very surprised if they’re not champions.

“So, we have got to concentrate on the play-off spots.”

There was a Town debut for experienced striker Dan Thompson off the substitutes’ bench among the chaos against Rusthall.

With the player registration deadline this Sunday, Warrilow stated: “I’ve tried to sign Dan a few times.

“He will be a good signing. He’s fit and has played at good levels. He will be a good addition to the squad and is a good lad, which is a bonus.

“It gives us a bit of competition up top. He’s the one that contacted me last week and we have managed to get him over the line. I’m pleased to get him in.”

The Lilywhites have also boosted their defensive options with the arrival of former Ash-
ford duo Bradley Simms and Tariq Ossai.

Both played under Warrilow at Homelands.

Faversham visit Hollands & Blair on Easter Monday after a blank Saturday.

Warrilow, without the suspended trio of Gorham, Newman and Campbell, said: “We have got a very tough game at Hollands & Blair, who have changed things around.

“I know a few of the lads there. It’s going to be a tough game.

“We’re going to need to be on our A-game, otherwise we could come unstuck because we know there’s no automatic right to win a game.

“Hopefully, on Monday, we will turn up and put a performance in.

“If we put a performance in, we will be fine.”