Hythe Town skipper Dave Cook returns for clash at Tunbridge Wells

HYTHE TOWN boss Scott Porter has imposed a media black-out in the build-up to the club’s biggest league game of the season at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.


A surprise defeat away to Norton Sports on Good Friday and with Herne Bay winning 3-0 at Fisher the following day closed Hythe’s lead to the top of the Kent League table to just two points.

Hythe did the business during their last home game – thrashing Beckenham Town 6-2 on Easter Monday – but despite their game finishing before title challengers Herne Bay, news filtered through that Darren Marsden had netted a crucial last-gasp winner to beat Holmesdale, with Hythe’s players waiting anxiously out on the pitch.

Disappointingly, Porter declined to comment after the game, saying “no-one’s talking,” as did hat-trick hero Bendon Cass, who replied, “I’m not allowed to,” although Porter did say he will face questions at Culverden Stadium.  Let’s hope he is true to his word, win, lose or draw, especially as I put a lot of time and effort into running this website!

The maths are simple.  A win or a draw for Hythe Town and the club will be playing Ryman League football in August.

However, if Tunbridge Wells claim victory and Herne Bay win at third-placed VCD Athletic, then the title and promotion goes to Herne Bay, who are unbeaten in 17 games and must take credit for taking a gripping Kent League title race right to the very last day.

Tunbridge Wells officials are preparing for a bumper crowd of at least 400 on Saturday.

Chairman Joe Croker said, “Hythe Town will bring around 200 supporters to Culverden on Saturday as they need one point to win the league.

”Could Tunbridge Wells’ support match their 200?”


With Hythe spending the largest playing budget in the Kent League, preparations are going on behind the scenes to ensure Porter’s side clinch the point they need to secure promotion.

Club secretary Martin Giles, like Porter, is keeping a low profile this week.

”There is absolutely no point in me making any comment at this stage of the season – it is all down to the players and coaches,” he said.

”Everybody knows what we are all hoping for, as it would be the same for any club in our position, but I cannot see that I would be helping our cause by making any forecasts now.

”What I will say is that as a club we were very pleased not only with Monday’s attendance (347) but also the atmosphere they created in the ground, which was a great encouragement for the players.

”Obviously we hope that a good number will make the trip to Tunbridge Wells on Saturday and that they will try to recreate that encouragement as the Wells’ gates have also improved, it should be a noisy afternoon.

”As well as the team coach, there will also be another one for supporters, plus there are always a decent number who prefer their own vehicles.”

Hythe are expected to select from a full squad for the game on Saturday with influential skipper Dave Cook returning from a three-game suspension.

The central midfielder, turned central defender was doing the laps around the Reachfields Stadium pitch before the Beckenham game last Monday.

Mr Giles added, “A three-game ban at a vital stage of the season for a tackle like that was bad enough, but what made it worse was that Dave could see there would be a clash and actually held himself back – we badly needed a video camera on that day!”

Meanwhile, Kent League press officer, Paul Rivers was eagled eyed on his visit to Reachfields Stadium last Monday.  The Deal based Mr Rivers noticed that Hythe had advertising boards for Go Travel, Kentish Observer and Bulmers Cider – three former sponsors of the Kent League – around the pitch – but not one for Safety Net Associates – who as we all know, sponsor title challengers Herne Bay!

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

Tunbridge Wells  v  Hythe Town
Safety Net Associates Kent League
Saturday 30^th April 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SG