22ndaug04

Fisk: We want to stay top for as long as possible

SITTING proudly at the top of the Go Travel Kent League table, Hythe Town are enjoying life at the top of the summit after three games and are looking to stay there as long as possible, writes Stephen McCartney.

Speaking after their 2-1 win at Erith Town, Reachfields boss Paul Fisk admitted: “I am really delighted.  We haven’t really played anyone too hard but you have to win your games, so I am pleased with that.”

After two home wins over Sevenoaks Town and Deal Town, Fisk is pleased his two main strikers, Mark Pollard and Roy Godden have once again struck up a partnership up front, and both have found the target three times.

Fisk added: “Both complement each other and both have started the season particularly well.”

Hythe leave the pressures of Kent League football for the next two weeks, and concentrate on building a FA Cup run.

However, they face a tricky tie at home to Littlehampton Town in the Extra Preliminary Round next Saturday. 

If successful, they travel to Ryman League Division One side Banstead Athletic seven days later.

Littlehampton, however, won’t be a pushover, as they too, are one of the pacesetters in the Sussex County League, with nine points from their opening three games, with only one goal separating them from leaders Horsham YMCA,

Fisk said: “I think we are only looking at Littlehampton at the moment, and looking at their form they have won three out of three and are second in their league.

“It’s a hard game, but we are at home and hopefully we can win.

“It’s too early to look ahead into the next round because Littlehampton will be too good a side."

When they do return to Kent League action, on 11^th September, Hythe make the trip to Beckenham Town – currently second from bottom in the table with only one point.

Fisk added: “When we went to Erith Town yesterday we were looking to win, and at the moment we are playing okay, and we will be looking to win at Beckenham.”

One of the surprise packages at present, sitting in second place are Sporting Bengal United.

Last season, the east London side were the whipping boys of Kent League football, collecting only five points during the entire season.

Fisk, however, is pleased the Mile End Stadium outfit are second in the table, with seven points, and Fisk is looking forward to when they come to Reachfields in their next home league game on the 18^th September.

He said:  “They are the surprise package with two more points now than the whole of last season.

“No-one will be underestimating them now they beat Maidstone United.

“They are just another one of the sides that have improved this season, making the league more competitive.”

Some fans from clubs higher up the pyramid have been writing on internet message boards that the Kent League is a “glorified pub league” but Fisk refused to accept such a statement.

He added: “The Kent League is a good enough league and there is some good football played in it.”

Fisk admitted he is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead playing teams that want to knock his side off top spot.

He said: “For a club like Hythe to be top, it’s a little bit different, and we want to stay there as long as possible."

Fisk is hoping more fans will be coming through the turnstiles now his side are sitting pretty at the top of the table.

He added:   “We are getting a few more fans but if we are doing well in the league hopefully we can get a few more fans down, which will help us a little bit.

“We are pleased to be top and we are going to enjoy it and stay there as long as possible, and look forward to play the top sides.”

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