Sammy Moore has recalled one of the best nights of his football career ahead of the start of Faversham’s FA Cup journey this season.

The Lilywhites manager helped AFC Wimbledon reach the Third Round of the competition in 2015, where they came up against Brendan Rodgers’ star-studded Liverpool side.

Big frontman Adebayo Akinfenwa - who briefly played for Faversham under Moore last term - netted for the underdogs but Steven Gerrard’s brace sent the Reds through.

Moore, whose team will visit Eastbourne Town this Saturday, said: “That was an incredible night, probably one of my best in football.

“To test myself against Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho, and they had Mario Balotelli up front [coming on as a substitute], that’s what dreams are made of.

“But I think we have got really good experience. Some of the players will have played in the First Round. We can draw on that.

“We’ll look to get through this round and, if we get through the next round, which will be our first game at home, we would not be that far away.

“But we’ll just take it one game at a time.”

The Lilywhites visit Southern Combination Premier Division Eastbourne, a week after their push for Southern Counties East Premier Division promotion began with a 3-0 victory at VCD last weekend.

Among Eastbourne’s ranks is ex-Folkestone defender Frankie Chappell but he’s expected to be unavailable.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” noted Deal-born midfielder Moore.

“We’ve had them watched. We know exactly what we’re coming up against. They’re young and hungry.

“In my experience in the FA Cup, there’s no easy games.

“We’re going down by coach, the chairman, Gary Smart, has looked after us on that front.

“The FA Cup’s the best competition in the world.”

The victors will earn £1,125 and have been drawn at home to Merstham or Raynes Park Vale in the Preliminary Round.

Meanwhile, Moore was thrilled to get off to a winning start in the league against VCD, also relegated from Isthmian South East last season.

The boss, 35, said: “It was a really good start.

“I’m delighted that we kept a clean sheet and scored three good goals. First half was a little bit cagey, I think they always are, first game of the season.

“But if you can get off to a good start, it settles everyone down.

“I know it’s only one game but it gives us a bit of confidence.”

There was a goal on his competitive club debut for hitman Gary Lockyer.

Moore said: “He has, obviously, missed a few games in pre-season. He has been away.

“We’ve not had everyone there, it’s been a bit stop-start in terms of not having our squad. The only time we did have everyone was when we played the under-23s before the VCD game.

“Gary was dangerous and did really well. But when your strikers scored more than 20 goals last season, they’re always going to be a threat.

“If you look at our bench, we had players that could come on and hurt them. Our five substitutes would get into any team in the league above us.

“If we’re going to do anything this year, we need a full squad.”

Also on target before the break on debut was ex-Dartford defender Connor Essam after coach Darren Hare’s training-ground work on set-pieces worked a treat.

“Connor’s one of my best mates,” said Moore. “I know what he brings.

“We just looked so comfortable at the back. Even when they did break and it was three versus three or two versus two, I never felt in danger.

“I’ve said to him that I think he will get 10 or 15 goals this year, just from set-pieces.

“We sort of bullied VCD at times. That’s an area where we can mix it as well. I was delighted to score a set-piece goal.

“With Darren Hare, we did lots of set-piece work. Connor was, deservedly, player-of-the-match.”

The hosts missed a second-half penalty but Moore set up Jefferson Aibangbee for a third.

Faversham are looking to recruit a new first-team kitman again after Bradley Haywood left for a role with Gillingham.

Email sammymoorecoaching@outlook.com for details.