Fisk wants to turn Reachfields back into a fortress

HYTHE TOWN manager Paul Fisk is satisfied with the first half of their table-topping Kent League campaign, writes Stephen McCartney.

Hythe welcome fourth-bottom Norton Sports to Reachfields Stadium on Saturday, sitting five points clear of second placed Holmesdale, who have a game in hand.

“Obviously it is pleasing to be top of the table but we are only at the half-way stage,” Fisk told www.hythetownfc.co.uk.

“We really haven’t been talking about this but rather just trying to keep on with the job in hand.

“We need to be in the mix when the season hots up towards the end and we are trying to concentrate on ourselves, rather than worrying about what others are doing or who they are signing.”

Fisk is pleased that reserve team players are knocking on his door - and that team spirit within the camp is good.

“We don’t have the budget of a few others but must be doing something right to be where we are, in terms of the coaching, the way the players are treated, the atmosphere here,” he said.

“We have sought to make progress each year and our latest improvement is reflected in the fact that, whatever the moans of some, we are now clearly one of the top Kent League sides. So credit to everyone at the club.

“Credit must also go to the players, of course. We have had to mix and match quite a lot but they have done good a job whatever we have asked them to do.

“There is a good togetherness about the squad and it is also good to have some of Dave Johncock’s reserves knocking on the door and showing they can do a job for us.”

Hythe have won their last four games, scoring eleven goals and conceding only two, although these wins against struggling sides Croydon, Sporting Bengal United, Lordswood and Beckenham Town.

Fisk, meanwhile, expects another tough encounter against lowly Norton Sports, despite winning 4-1 at Winch’s Field back in September.

“We need to get our home form going and to get used to playing here again,” said Fisk. “I don’t think we have played particularly well at home, sometimes preferring the big, flat playing surfaces that we have encountered on our travels.

“Given the number of home matches to come, it would make a big difference if we could recapture the home form of last season, making Reachfields a really difficult venue for visiting teams once more.

“Norton Sports are strong, fit and have certainly not disgraced themselves in their first season at this level.

“I honestly believe you can’t take anyone lightly in the Kent League this season.”

Article courtesy of www.hythetownfc.co.uk

Hythe Town v Norton Sports
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 27^th December 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe