by Alex Hoad

Faversham Town manager Ray Turner believes his side have done well to maintain their competitiveness despite the unsettling flow of players in and out of the club.

The Lilywhites have seen their numbers dwindle yet again after Tom Hickman joined Ramsgate and Dale Skelton left to join several former team-mates at Whitstable, though Pete Hawkins made his debut in defence in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Eastbourne Town.

Turner (pictured) revealed he is hoping to bring new faces in before Saturday’s trip to Crawley Down in Ryman League, Division 1 South, but joked: "I might have to dig my boots out, we are a little bit light.

"I’m hoping to have one or two new faces in by the weekend. Midfield is an area where we are particularly in need so we’ll look at that."

Faversham are just five points clear of 16th-placed Crawley, who started the season with nine straight defeats.

Turner said: "It will be a tough game. I knew they would improve and climb the table under their new manager and that has happened.

"We have picked up points away from home, but a win would be nice, it’s been a while since we won but it will come soon.

"We have done well so far, we’re trying to compete, but when you factor in the second season syndrome and the turnover of players as we’re in transition then we’ve done pretty well."