Dulwich are the favourites - the pressure is on them, says Hythe Town boss Scott Porter

HYTHE TOWN boss Scott Porter says he wants his side to continue their biting underdog tag when they enter the FA Cup on Saturday.


Porter takes his side to Dulwich Hamlet for a Preliminary Round clash between two Ryman League Division One South sides.

Dulwich Hamlet have a reputation under boss Gavin Rose of playing attack minded football and they have already made their intentions known, after missing out in the play-offs in the last two seasons, and are presently in second place in the table.

They have won both of their league games this season, beating Ramsgate 3-0 at home and then winning 4-0 away to Walton & Hersham – a side that stunned Maidstone United 5-4 on the opening day of the season.

Hythe Town, meanwhile, kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 win away to Walton Casuals, but they were defeated by foes Herne Bay, who scored the only goal of the game at Reachfields Stadium, courtesy of a Danny Williams’ winner four minutes from time.

Looking forward to the Champion Hill clash, Porter said: “The draw’s been a bit tough for us to be fair.

“Since I’ve been there managing we’ve had good runs and pretty straight forward first couple of rounds.

“It’s tough. It’s beatable. We’ve had two good games with them last year but the way the lads’ are and the confidence we’ve got we’ll look to go and win any game. It doesn’t matter who it is.

“The pressure is on them. Dulwich are favourites, they’re near the top but the FA Cup is a one-off game so that’s not a problem to us.”

Porter’s side claimed the Kent Senior Cup for the first time in their history when they defeated Erith Town and then three higher league clubs, Ebbsfleet United, Dover Athletic and then stunned Dartford on their own patch to lift the silverware on a memorable night towards the end of last season.

And you could forget Hythe becoming the first Kent League side in 53 years’ to reach the FA Cup First Round when they went to then League Two side Hereford United two years’ ago.

Although they lost 5-1 at Edgar Street, they returned to Kent with fond memories and a goal scored by Gary Mickelborough, who is now playing for Ashford United in the Kent Invicta League.

Porter reflected upon some of the fantastic Cup exploits that the club have enjoyed under his reign.

”The first year we had the game up at Woking and then the FA Cup (tie at Hereford United) and winning the League and last year and doing how we did against Dartford, Dover and Ebbsfleet and win it like that at their place was a massive achievement and that’s what we’re gunning for this year.

“We want to win trophies every year and they bring good times and you get your rewards with the hard work that you do all the way through the season.”

Visit Hythe Town’s website: www.hythetownfc.co.uk

Dulwich Hamlet  v  Hythe Town
The FA Cup with Budweiser Preliminary Round
Saturday 25^th August 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Champion Hill Stadium, Dog Kennel Hill, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD