Sammy Moore takes his Faversham Town side into an FA Cup battle with Isthmian League Premier side Lewes at the Aquatherm Stadium on Saturday looking to create another page in the annuls of cup upsets in this great competition. 

For the Lilywhites who were relegated to the SCEFL Premier last season, go into the game arguably with a point to prove after many have tipped Moore’s side for an immediate return to the Isthmian League and potentially move on up through the divisions. 

That though is possibly to come but this weekend, the Faversham boss is completely focused on a competition that he loved himself as a player and has taken that love into management. 

Speaking to us this week, Moore admitted “The FA Cup is a competition that I’ve done well in as a player, and I want to do as well as a manager.”

“We did that at Leatherhead where we played Wycombe in the Second Round, but I know that Saturday is big for the Club and big for the fans.”

“It’s a nice tie for us being at home – hopefully we’ll get a good gate supporting us and seeing the new pitch for the first time.”

“If we can get a positive result, it’ll keep the buzz going around the Club and it’s a chance to go further in a competition that we’d love to do well in.” 

“It’s the first time that Darren (Beale), me and most of the staff have been in the Cup this early – there’s a lot of games and that can sometimes distract you from the League.”

“After winning a League game on Monday you feel like you want a run of just league games, but you get the Cup and the Vase come round pretty quickly!” 

“You’re always looking to get a home tie – a nice tie – to get the fans behind you in familiar surroundings and I think that if you get a home tie you’ve got a good chance.”

“But we know that we’ve been drawn one of the toughest draws we could have got at this stage, but it’s a game that we’re really looking forward to – we’re the underdogs and we’ll be going toe to toe with them and hopefully we’ll come away on Saturday with a result.”

“It’s a good game for us; an exciting game for the club; exciting for our players and management to test ourselves against one of the best teams at the level.” 

“We knew when we first came to the Club that it was a transitional period and there was a lot of things that needed to be sorted out.”

“It takes time and we’ve put a new group together that ultimately, we believe can win the League and take us up to the next level and compete.”

“These are the type of games that we want to be playing in and gives us a taste of where we want to be.”

“From where we were six or seven months ago to where we are now is massive strides… there’s a real good buzz about the place and everyone will be raring to go.” 

Standing in the Lilywhites’ way will be a Lewes side managed by former Cray Wanderers boss Tony Russell – someone that Moore has crossed paths with before.

“We played them last year while we were still at Potters Bar,” he explained.

“We beat them 4-3 and we know how they play; we know that they’ll pass it out from the back and not bang it forward.”

“They have a way of playing and stick to it – there will be rotation in midfield. We’ve done our homework and know that they’re a good side… they are firm favourites, but with our squad we are hungry to cause an upset with our fans behind us, and I’m sure that we’ll have the ground packed out as we go toe-to-toe with them and try and cause an upset!” 

Moore confirmed that he has a couple of injuries and suspensions to deal with, but added, “we’ve got a squad together in case these kinds of things happen, and we’ve got top player to come in.”

“We’re in good health and we’ll have a look at it before we set a team up on Saturday that will cause the upset!” 

It was announced on Friday afternoon that the player Moore was referring to was former Gillingham, Welling United and Tonbridge Angels striker Stefan Payne.