In-form Charley Robertson says teams are beginning to respect Faversham once more as they hit form at the right time in the promotion race.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder – likened by boss Ray Turner to a young Chris Waddle due to the way he glides past players – has hit four goals in as many days to boost Town’s play-off hopes and help secure their passage to the Ryman League Cup final against Kingstonian in April.

Robertson’s first senior hat-trick arrived in Saturday’s 4-0 derby demolition of bottom club Whitstable, while the former Maidstone youngster grabbed the third in Town’s 3-0 cruise past Sittingbourne in the cup semi-final on Tuesday night.

He said: “It’s been an up and down season for me personally but it’s definitely been a good few days. I haven’t had a spell like this for goalscoring in men’s football – probably not since I was in the youth teams at Maidstone.

“Ray and Clive (assistant manager Clive Walker) told us every game is important as the league is so tight and I’ve been trying to score more goals so it was great to get three on Saturday – even if two were penalties.”

He added: “We played Kingstonian when I was at Maidstone, they are a big club and it is going to be tough. Ray and Clive have done a lot for me personally though and it would be great to get a cup for them if we can.”

Town began the season slowly and were as low as 13th in November, however they have lost just three times since then to lie a place and a point outside the play-off spots.

Robertson said: “A few things contributed to our slow start but we didn’t really gel, it took a few months. Since Christmas we’ve had the odd terrible result but for the most part we’ve done really well.

“They are all tough games and I think we are getting more respect now – teams want to beat us. Of course we are competing for a place with teams like Hythe and Hastings, but there are plenty of games to go. We are not looking at what other teams do, just focusing on every game we have got to play.

“Last year we went into a bit of a dip at this time of year but this year we are just getting going.”

Turner said: “There is not a better sight in the league than Charley running at people. He’s started to add goals to his game now and his defensive discipline is right up there.”