Faversham Town joint-manager Jermaine Darlington highlights importance of FA Trophy run ahead of trip to FC Romania

Faversham joint-boss Jermaine Darlington has highlighted the importance of the FA Trophy ahead of their Second Qualifying Round tie.

Town will visit FC Romania, mid-table in Southern League Division 1 Central, this Sunday having already claimed a 1-0 victory at league rivals Chichester in the competition.

The Lilywhites were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle this season and so with the winner of the tie pocketing £2,250 in prize money, the FA Trophy - in which the club last season reached the First Round in their best-ever run - has taken on even greater significance.

“Cup games at this level are vital for the club with the money that comes with them,” said Darlington.

“The further we go, the more money we get and it puts the club in a better position. It shows the club in a good light as well.

“The league is the bread and butter, but a good cup run is vital for any club in any league. We definitely want to go as far as we can.

“We are looking at the Trophy as being very important. Every time we play in it, we try to get to the next round.”

On what he knows about FC Romania, Darlington, who is in charge alongside John Embery, added: “I don’t know anything about them. But I’m the sort of person who doesn’t concentrate too much on the other side.

“We will have people who have watched them and have a bit of information about them.

“Once we know that, we will put a plan together to try and beat them. And if we stick to the game-plan, I feel we can get a win.”

Faversham lost 1-0 to VCD in Isthmian South East on Saturday before unbeaten early frontrunners Ramsgate proved to be too strong for the Lilywhites on Tuesday, earning a 3-1 win despite playmaker Nathan Wood’s third goal this season.

The midweek match also