Boss Sammy Moore is standing by Faversham’s pre-season schedule solely against higher-division opposition.

The Lilywhites have played three warm-up games so far ahead of their Southern Counties East Premier Division promotion bid, losing two and drawing one.

They started with a goalless draw at last season’s Isthmian South East play-off Finalists Hythe last Tuesday, went down to ambitious Isthmian South East opposition Ramsgate 2-0 on Saturday and suffered a 3-2 loss at Burgess Hill in midweek.

But Moore insists he and Town’s management team have learnt a lot from those three games.

He said: “Pre-season has been good.

“We’ve had some really tough tests and, like I said to our boys after Tuesday’s game, we could have put an easy pre-season schedule together and played Step 6 sides. We haven’t.

“We’ve chosen a tough one because I feel that by getting beaten and conceding goals that’ll help us come up with more solutions. They’ve all been different in their own rights.

“The Hythe game, we had a lot of the ball and dominated possession - without creating too much - but it was more about getting minutes into legs. Then, we went to Ramsgate. Fair play to Ramsgate, they have recruited really well.

“I think they had about five or six players that have played in National League South. It was a great test.

“The majority of the time, we were without the ball, so we had to work really hard and that got our fitness levels up.

“We had a few chances ourselves, I felt we weren’t clinical enough in front of goal, but Ramsgate caused us a lot of problems. We’ve learnt a lot from that.

“Then, we went to Burgess Hill and absolutely dominated. They had two 11s, we had a few boys away, but I think we created 26 chances on goal.

“We missed four one-on-ones, we’ve hit the post a few times, so from that side of things, you don’t want to get too excited but we’re creating chances.

“On another day, it’s very different. Their manager [Dean Cox] said after the game we could have won 12-1! It was that type of game.

“We’re a little bit disappointed in the way we conceded the goals but it’s pre-season. It’s about getting minutes into legs and people getting up-to-speed, making sure you don’t get any injuries - and we haven’t had any injuries so far - and that’s great.

“They’ve been three really good fixtures.”

It doesn't get any easier for the Lilywhites, who travel to Sittingbourne to play for the Bob Amor Cup on Tuesday before finishing their pre-season schedule away to another Step 3 side in Folkestone.

But former AFC Wimbledon and Leyton Orient midfielder Moore has been around the game long enough to know there’s no need to panic yet.

“I’ve been in teams where we’ve lost every pre-season game and then won the first five,” he noted.

“We wanted a tough pre-season, that’s what we’ve had.

“The main aim is to get the boys in top shape for July 29 when the real work starts.”

After twice drawing blanks, summer recruits Ashley Miller and Warren Mfula netted for Faversham at Burgess Hill.

“We didn’t create too much in those first two games but, on Tuesday night, we created so many chances,” Moore added.

“Ashley Miller - I know he scored one - but he could have had four or five himself.

“Jefferson [Aibangbee] missed three really good chances and Mfula came on for the last half-hour, scored and probably could have had more. But we’re creating chances.

“[Gary] Lockyer’s been away, as well, but everyone is fighting for their place come the start of the season.”

Faversham’s friendly at newly-promoted Isthmian Premier outfit Chatham Town has been called off this Saturday.