Match Preview

At the fourth time of asking Herne Bay will try and play a Velocity Trophy game on the originally scheduled date. The trip to Whitstable Town on 03/09/2019 was postponed because of Herne Bay’s FA Cup replay at AFC Croydon Athletic, the visit to Ramsgate on 08/10/2019 fell foul of travelling difficulties brought on by accidents on the M2 whilst the home game with Ashford United was pushed back to 28/09/2019 from 24/09/2019 as 28/09/2019 was designated for the FA Trophy Extra Preliminary Round where both Bay and Ashford received byes.

Faversham’s origins go back to 1884, and subsequently entered the Kent League in 1894 before being disbanded a few years before the second world war. Faversham Town reformed after the war, and entered the Kent League in 1947, and moved to their current home, Salters Lane, in 1948. There were brief spells in the Aetolian and Greater London leagues before the revived Kent league was joined in 1968. After a brief flirtation in the Athenian League in the mid-seventies, the club came home to the Kent League. There was title success followed by a period of decline which reached crisis point in 2003.

The KCFA suspended the club for non-payment of fines. The first season back in 2005/06 was in the Kent County League. They were crowned Kent League Premier Division champions in 2009/10 and took their place in the Isthmian League Division One South. Lost in the play-off final in 2012/13 and semis in 2014/15 and again in the final in 2015/16.

The Lilywhite’s started their Velocity Cup matches with a 7-1 thrashing of Hythe Town and followed this up with a 2-2 draw at Ramsgate with the Rams winning the penalty shoot-out 5-3.

Faversham finished 6th last season in the attendance table with an average of 240. This campaign their average has dropped to 224, leaving them in 9th place.

As well as being jointly managed by Phil Miles, Faversham also have several ex-Bay players in their squad – Jamie Maxted, Rob Lawrence (brother of Danny), Michael Freiter, Harry Earls and Tom Barton.

Faversham play their home games at Salters Lane Stadium, Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent. ME13 8ND. 12.7 miles from Winch’s Field. Estimated journey time 17 minutes (AA Route Planner).

The league matches between the two sides take place on 26/12/2019 (Salters Lane) and 13/04/2020 (Winch’s Field) whilst Faversham will also travel to Herne Bay on 29/10/2019 in the Kent Senior Cup.