Faversham Town manager Tommy Warrilow urges squad to stay focused with prize for beating Punjab United this weekend home advantage in Southern Counties East League play-offs
05:00, 26 April 2024
Tommy Warrilow has urged Faversham players not to let second place slip through the fingers at the final hurdle.
The Lilywhites continued their flying form with a 4-1 home win over Welling Town last weekend.
Billy Bennett scored twice, with late goals from Warren Mfula and Dan Thompson confirming victory.
It means they visit Punjab this Saturday (3pm) knowing victory would clinch second spot behind Southern Counties East League champions Deal and home advantage in the Play-off Semi-Finals and possible Final.
Glebe could still finish level on points but Faversham have a vastly superior goal difference.
Warrilow’s side have put themselves in a great position after a 10-match unbeaten run, winning their last five. Now they need to finish the job at Punjab to set up a home last-four clash on Tuesday (7.45pm). The Final takes place on Bank Holiday Monday (May 6).
“It’s all about getting that second place,” said boss Warrilow. “We’ve got to go to Punjab and win - we can’t rely on others slipping up.
“We’ve been on a great run and we’ve got to carry on doing what we’ve been doing.
“I’ve seen Punjab a couple of times and I know a few of their players and they’re a decent side. They’ll be up for it, as they should be, but we’ve got to concentrate on ourselves.
“If we have a bad spell in the game, don’t worry about it. The most important thing is to get over the line and get the result and then we’ll find out who we’re playing in the play-offs.
“I’m pleased with how things have gone. I got the call to come here in January and in football it’s about gradual improvement.
“People have come in and gone out and I can call it my team now. But it’s not just nice on the pitch, it’s really nice off it. Everyone’s got a smile on their face, everyone’s mixing and there’s stuff going on off the pitch.
“We just need the final piece of the jigsaw which is to get out of this league.”
Warrilow can only be encouraged by Faversham’s form as they bid to clinch an immediate return to Isthmian South East following last season’s relegation under Sammy Moore.
He has the bonus of a fully-fit squad going into a season-defining week.
“You don’t want to say it and put the kiss of death on it but we are looking very strong at the moment,” said Warrilow.
“Everyone’s fit, there’s a good balance to the side, we’ve been chalking results off and the performances have been good.
“There’s loads of positives around the place and there’s no reason why that can’t continue but at the same time we’re fully aware we haven’t won anything yet.
“We’ve not lost in 10 and we’re getting that consistency where everyone’s getting used to the system.
“If you go into any competition, like the play-offs are, you want to be in the sort of form we’re finding at the moment.
“People talk about must-win games but play-off games really are must-win because if you don’t win, your season’s finished.”
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