8thaug04

Fisk has mixed feelings on pre-season

PAUL FISK, manager of Go Travel Kent League side Hythe Town, has mixed feelings on his side’s preparation to the new season, which gets underway with a home clash against Sevenoaks Town next Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

“I think we have trained quite hard but I have mixed feelings on the pre-season games.” Fisk admitted.

He added: “I think we have done okay in patches, but we haven’t hit any sights, heights or form yet.

“We have had players missing through work and injuries.”

Hythe entertain last season’s Kent League champions, Cray Wanderers at Reachfields on Monday night, in their last pre-season friendly, and Fisk admitted it’s another difficult fixture.

Cray defeated Thamesmead Town 2-1 to land the Kent League Shield on Saturday, as they prepare to embark on their Ryman League Division One campaign, which gets underway  with a trip to Burgess Hill Town next Saturday.

Fisk said: “Obviously it’s going to be difficult, as Cray won our league and went up.

“We will, however, be missing the front two again, but we think it’s a good, tough game to have, and that’s what we need really.”

Fisk will be without strikers Mark Pollard (work commitments), Roy Godden (toe) and centre back Gavin Ransley (groin).

Sevenoaks Town are the visitors to Reachfields on the opening day of the Go Travel Kent League season next Saturday – a game Fisk sees as an opportunity to get three points on the board.

Fisk added: “Obviously we need three points from day one and we will be trying our hardest to get it.

“The team spirit and the spirit at the club is still good and we will be hoping to carry on from last season.”

Midfielder Scott Porter, has decided to move to Kent County League outfit Lydd Town in an opportunity to get more first team action.

Fisk said of the 25-year-old midfielder: “Scott was on the bench towards the end of last season and he has gone there for first team football.”

However, with Farrell Cox (from Deal Town), and Michael Yianni (Maidstone United), Fisk has plenty of options.

Speaking of centre half, Fox, Fisk admitted: “We have signed him to play centre half and he has looked good in pre-season games.”

Yianni returns from the Stones, and has, once again, created a good impression at Reachfields.

“The pleasing thing with Michael is we can play him in a number of positions and if you can get someone of his quality back at the club it can only be a good thing.”

The 20-year-old scored two goals as Hythe defeated Ringmer 3-2 on Saturday.

Fisk, however, who has seen a number of trialists on show in their pre-season games, is still to make a decision on them.

He added: “We are looking forward and waiting for the season to start.

“I think the league will be tougher this year as it was last year,”

“With Maidstone favourites to land the title, Fisk admitted: “Maidstone and the teams that are paying the good money should be the top sides really and hopefully we will be amongst them, although we are not paying the money”

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