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Faversham boss Ray Turner wants immediate revenge on Cray Wanderers when the sides meet for the second time in a week – this time in the FA Cup.
Town suffered their first defeat of the Ryman League, Division 1 South season at Hayes Lane on Saturday, going down 1-0 to Wands – although they did bounce back to beat Herne Bay 6-3 at Salters Lane on Monday.
Town have gone out in the first qualifying round in five of the past seven seasons and Turner said: “Maybe this time it’s our year – or maybe not.
“Let’s hope so. We haven’t got the best of records in the FA Cup but I’d love that to change.”
He added: “If I had to choose one of them to win and one to lose then I guess I’d probably choose to win this Saturday as you can hope to make up three league points over the course of the season but you can’t do that when you get knocked out of the Cup and miss out on the £3,000 prize money.”
After seeing his side finish the first month of the season in fourth place with nine points, one off the top, Turner admitted: “I was a bit disappointed not to come back with a point from Saturday’s game.
“We conceded a poor goal which was perhaps the biggest disappointment. It’s not like us not to have scored, either. I can’t remember the last time we failed to score in a league game.
“It was important for us to get back on it and we managed to do that on Monday. We were tremendous, especially in the first half.” He added: “It’s not been the worst first month. It’s not been easy.
“It turns out the teams we have played, their only losses have come against us and our only loss is against a side who are still unbeaten.”
If both Town and Hythe –who face Leatherhead – avoid replays on Saturday, then the Kent rivals will face-off in the league at Salters Lane on Tuesday (7.45pm) to begin a hectic schedule for Town whose next free midweek is likely to be in the last week of October.
George Monger could return to the squad after a knee problem on Saturday, although Jamie Maxted (back) remains up to three weeks away.
Charley Robertson may not feature after his on-off switch to the North West moved a step closer and Turner said: “We thought we’d lost him in the summer and we’ve got another month from him but he’s got himself a job in Chester and it might be that Monday’s game was his last for the club.”