On the eve of Faversham’s annual trip to Guernsey, boss Ray Turner admits there is a part of him hoping it’s Town’s final trip to the island for some time.

With 10 games left, Turner’s side are second in Ryman League, Division 1 South, well adrift of leaders Burgess Hill but Tuesday night’s 3-1 win at Redhill ensured their cushion over third-placed Folkestone grew to six points.

Town’s magic number of games until they mathematically secure their play-off place could be as little as two, depending on results elsewhere when they travel to the Channel Islands for Saturday’s 1pm kick-off.

Turner said: “It’s a long day. We considered staying over this time but we opted for staying at Gatwick on Friday night, going over early, getting the game played and then getting back.”

The Green Lions have won six on the spin on the island since Christmas and completed the double over the Lilywhites last season with two 2-1 wins. However, Town did win 3-0 at Salters Lane in a midweek game in September.

Turner said: “They have struggled a bit with their midweek aways this year and lost 2-0 at Three Bridges on Tuesday, although they are in good form at home and know another win would keep them in with an outside chance of making the play-offs themselves.

“Hopefully, we can pick up the win we are looking for and if everything goes as we’d like it, then we wouldn’t have to worry about a trip to Guernsey next season.”

Midfielder Dave Botterill is back from a three-match ban while Turner hopes keeper Rob French is fit after food poisoning saw Town field youngster Tom Benham at Redhill.

Turner included defender Matt Bourne, despite his challenge on Carshalton’s Jerome Walker on Saturday leading to the Robins’ man sustaining a broken shin and the abandonment of the game.

Turner said: “It was an unfortunate incident. No-one goes out to hurt someone and Matt was devastated. He is a strong character, however and even though he was a little bit cautious on Tuesday, he came through it all right.”

Redhill broke the deadlock on Tuesday when Connor French struck on 32 minutes but Charley Robertson made it 1-1 from a Josh Stanford cross six minutes later and Stanford himself made it 2-1 with a run and finish on 55 minutes.

The Lobsters struck the woodwork twice before Dean Grant sealed the points late on.