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Kieron Campbell earns praise from Faversham Town manager Tommy Warrilow as winger wins penalty in 2-0 Southern Counties East Premier Division win at Stansfeld

05:00, 08 March 2024

updated: 10:30, 08 March 2024

Kieron Campbell has been hailed as a pleasure to manage by Faversham boss Tommy Warrilow.

Campbell won a late penalty, converted by 29-goal striker Stefan Payne, to wrap up Tuesday’s 2-0 victory at Southern Counties East Premier Division strugglers Stansfeld.

Faversham winger Kieron Campbell has impressed manager Tommy Warrilow since the latter arrived at Salters Lane. Picture: Ian Scammell
Faversham winger Kieron Campbell has impressed manager Tommy Warrilow since the latter arrived at Salters Lane. Picture: Ian Scammell

Ex-Ashford manager Warrilow was well aware of former Hythe, Herne Bay and Whitstable winger Campbell’s talent before he took over at Town in January and says he has been a stand-out performer since he arrived.

“He has been a pleasure to manage,” Warrilow said. “It’s my first time managing him.

“Obviously, I have played against him because he scored the first goal for Herne Bay in the Play-off Final (when Warrilow was in charge of Ashford, losing 2-0).

“He has been one of my stand-out performers. He’s a great lad, as well, so I’m delighted for him.”

The fourth-placed Lilywhites had to wait until the final 10 minutes at Foxbury Avenue to go ahead but held their nerve to do the damage late on.

Top scorer Stefan Payne – converted the midweek penalty which midfielder Kieron Campbell had won. Picture: Ian Scammell
Top scorer Stefan Payne – converted the midweek penalty which midfielder Kieron Campbell had won. Picture: Ian Scammell

Warrilow, who saw his team’s trip to Holmesdale postponed last weekend due to a waterlogged pitch, reflected: “It was an important game for us.

“League status is pretty irrelevant to me - it always is - I take nothing for granted. I hadn’t seen them (his players) for a week because Saturday got called off late.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. Their keeper was brilliant for them in the second half. As the game went on, we wondered if it would be one of those games.

“The goal that put us in front, I couldn’t even tell you who scored it. It was an absolute scramble!

“It was pleasing that we got the result over the line.

“Unfortunately, we have got no game this Saturday, as well, so it was vital we stayed in touch with everyone around us.”

Midfielder Tyrique Hyde missed Faversham’s match at Stansfeld. He has only made one cameo appearance for the club so far since he joined last month - but it’s unclear when the ex-Love Island star, 24, will next be available.

Warrilow explained: “Unfortunately, he has other commitments he has got to do. That’s the life of a non-league footballer sometimes.

“He will miss a few sessions and we will just monitor it. Forget everything away from football, he’s a good footballer. He still might have a part to play for us this season.

“We will just take that as it comes.”

Warrilow’s team face a trip to Tunbridge Wells - who have 18-goal forward Trevor McCreadie among their ranks - on Tuesday night after a weekend training session.

The manager said: “I know the boy, Trevor McCreadie, up front. It’s going to be a battle there.

“It’s perhaps something people think we cannot do - but Tuesday showed we can dig in. We went away to Rusthall, as well, and dug in, and got a result at Fisher.

“Hopefully, teams start to think about us a little bit differently. We have shown a little bit of both. We can mix it up.”

Striker Warren Mfula alongside midfielders Sam Hasler and Billy Bennett picked up minor knocks at Stansfeld.

But Warrilow said: “Bearing in mind we have got a whole week, I think they’ll be okay.”

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