Faversham Town boss Steve Watt says youth-team prospect Lennon Diamond has proven himself as member of first-team squad ahead of FA Trophy tie at Stanway Rovers

Lennon Diamond has proven himself as a bonafide member of Faversham Town’s first-team squad already this season.

That is the verdict of Lilywhites manager Steve Watt, who continues to be impressed by what he has seen from the youth-team prospect.

While the plan, ultimately, will be to send midfielder Diamond out so he can get more regular first-team football to further his development, he has played his part in Faversham’s strong start to the season, coming off the substitutes’ bench in last weekend’s 3-1 Isthmian South East derby success against Herne Bay.

“He’s someone we can rely on and use,” said Watt, who has also used fellow under-23s player Ralph Fox this term.

“It’s not a token gesture of having an under-23s player with us and giving him some minutes. We feel we can use him in any game at any time.

“He started the weekend before (in a 6-2 FA Trophy triumph against Horley Town) and did really well.

“When we decided we wanted more legs on the pitch on Saturday, we had no hesitation around bringing him on. At some point, we will be looking to dual-reg him and get him more games.

“But with the position we’re in, with the injuries we’ve got, we are more than happy to use him.”

It proved a huge day for Faversham as the club’s ‘SOS Sports Bar’ was officially reopened by Faversham stalwart Sid Medley before the team saw off Ben Smith’s side on the pitch in front of a 728-strong crowd.

Watt said: “The transformation of the bar has been outstanding.

"If you’ve been at Faversham before and see it again now, it’s gone to another level. You can see the transformation of the clubhouse.

“It, again, shows what Gary (Smart, chairman) is trying to do at the club, off the pitch, as well as on it.

“On the pitch, it’s our job to get