Kentish Football

Hythe aren't as good as everyone makes out they are, says Norton's player-boss Ben Taylor

Monday 20th September 2010
NORTON SPORTS player-manager Ben Taylor says he is confident that his much-criticised team can go and win at title favourites Hythe Town on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.


Taylor wasn’t fit enough for his side’s unfortunate 3-0 defeat away to Fisher in the FA Carlsberg Vase yesterday due to a foot injury, sustained in the battle of Winch’s Field last Wednesday, but may be fit enough to wear the number four shirt to add more steel against to his ranks.

Fisher banked a vital £800 in FA prize money and will welcome Combined Counties League outfit Warlingham to Champion Hill on 2 October.

Third-placed Hythe, just two points adrift of early league leaders Greenwich Borough, meanwhile, came away from perennial strugglers Sporting Bengal United with a 4-2 win - just why the FA keeps the east London outfit in the Kent League year in, year out, despite struggling is anybody’s guess!

But Taylor, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, believes his side can take all three points from Reachfields Stadium.

“Have we had an easy game yet?” a laughing Taylor said, after goals from Rob Hughes, Raphael Akala and Hulusi Mastafa sent Fisher through to the first round of the FA Vase.

The 30-year-old added: “But we’re going to go to Hythe, I’m telling you now we’re going to be confident!  We’ll go there and I want to win simple as that and VCD (away on Saturday) we want to win.

“We drew with Herne Bay, we could’ve beaten Herne Bay, they drew with VCD so there’s no reason why we can’t do it.

“I want to win at Hythe. We’ve beaten them before and there’s no reason why.  I respect teams but don’t get me wrong, they’re not as good as anyone makes out they are.”

Hythe boss Scott Porter, meanwhile, has a massive FA Cup tie against fellow Kent League rivals Erith & Belvedere to also look forward to on Saturday, but before that, however, he is expecting a right battle against Taylor’s warriors.

“We had wanted nine points from the three league games before the FA Cup so Tuesday night's match is massive,” Porter told www.hythetownfc.co.uk. 

“It is our last league game for a while because after the FA Cup comes the FA Vase and other cup matches.   If results go our way, we’ll be right up there but we have to do our bit. 

“We all know about Norton Sports and that their manager will get them going and they will be giving 100%, so it will be tough. 

“If we can cope with what they throw at us and can match their aggression, work-rate and desire, then I am sure we will come through with the points.”

Reflecting on their game at the bleak Mile End Stadium, Porter added: “At least we bounced back on Saturday against Sporting Bengal. This is one of the worst fixtures of the season, a long journey to a ground with no atmosphere and you never know what you are going to get. 

“As I told the lads, I would be happy if we turned up, did a job, gained the three points, and went home again, which is more or less what happened. 

“There are people who think you should always score six or seven against them and, at 3-0 up at half-time, perhaps we were on course for that but, give them credit, they came back at us. 

“Having said that, their two goals came again from our mistakes and we have to iron this out. It is starting to creep in and we must learn to focus for the full 90 minutes. 

“On the up-side, it was good to see Gary Lockyer score his first goals for the club, Cassy (Brendon Cass) kept up his strike rate, and Dave Cook was on the scoresheet as well. And hopefully we’ll never have to go to Sporting Bengal again! 

“It is a big week for us, with Tuesday night and then the chance to progress in the FA Cup on Saturday. We need to be big and strong; three points is a must for us against Norton.”

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


Hythe Town  v  Norton Sports
Safety Net Associates Kent League
Tuesday 21st September 2010 
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6JS








 

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