James Collins hopes Faversham can build on their FA Trophy performance at higher-league Folkestone when they return to “the bread and butter” of league action.

The Lilywhites lost 2-1 at Cheriton Road on Saturday but they impressed against Invicta who look set to be challenging for promotion to National League South this term.

Goals from Kieron McCann and David Smith had put Folkestone in control before ex-Charlton playmaker Eddie Allsopp, who was among those to impress for Town, pulled one back through a fine free-kick.

Town manager Collins, whose side are 14th in Isthmian South East, reckons some of his players should have more belief in their ability after pushing the Isthmian Premier high-fliers all the way, having already beaten Leatherhead in their FA Trophy run this season.

Collins said: “Hopefully they do (believe in themselves more) now because I don’t think some of them believe they are as good as they actually are.

“That’s what I said to them after the game, that I hope they believe in themselves a little bit more now because they are good players.

“When I’m getting on them, it’s because I think they are good players and I think there is more to come. Let’s, hopefully, take that performance into our next game.

“But it happens a lot, doesn’t it?

"You raise your game when you play against a higher-league team. But the bread and butter is doing it in our division and that’s what we need to take forward."

“That’s what is difficult,” added Collins whose team beat Sutton Common Rovers 2-1 in the Velocity Trophy on Tuesday night through two goals from Emmanuel Oluwasemo despite Allsopp being sent off.

“When you are playing at the standard you are playing at, it’s then hard to convince the players that, when they win 2-0, it could be better.

“They think ‘Yes, but we won 2-0’. But I have to say ‘Yes but, if you want to get better and better and better, our standards have to be higher’.

“It was a good learning curve for us.”

Former youth goalkeeper Dan Smith came in for Town’s match against Sutton in one of four changes.

Faversham visit Corinthian this Saturday and, before the end of the month, they will also play Hythe in the Kent Senior Cup.

When asked if he will be using his whole squad in the coming weeks, Collins replied: “What’s left of it!

“Donvieve Jones has come back (after recovering from a hamstring injury) and played two lots of 90 minutes. Benny (Benedict Bioletti) needed a bit of a rest (coming on at half-time at Folkestone) and Sam Bewick was not really fully fit but we ended up bringing him on against Folkestone.

“So let’s see how it settles down. We might need to add again.

“But certainly, I’m sure players will end up getting game time.”

Key duo Matt Bourne (foot) and Lewis Chambers (ankle) both missed out at Folkestone.

Collins explained: “We were hoping they would be back but they weren’t even close if I’m honest.

“We’ll try and get them back in for Corinthian but we are not sure yet.”

• Match report: Folkestone 2-1 Faversham

• Collins: We gave a good account of ourselves

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