If we get to the top-ten by Christmas we've achieved our goal, says Hythe Town boss Scott Porter

HYTHE TOWN boss Scott Porter says he is targeting a top-ten placing by the time Santa Claus comes down the chimney, writes Stephen McCartney.


Last season’s Kent League title winners currently find themselves in tenth-place in their inaugural Ryman League Division One South campaign, with 24 points from 18 games.

They beat Merstham 3-1 at Reachfields at the weekend, courtesy of two goals from Craig Thompson and one from his strike partner, James Dryden.

“They’re a decent side,” said Porter.  “They get it down and play and they’ve got some quick, quick forwards and it was important we continued our good work against Erith Town in the Kent Senior Cup and Sittingbourne.

“You can’t keep winning a couple and losing as its one step forward and two steps back all the time.

“It was important we keep this run going and we did it on Saturday against a decent side.  It was pleasing to do that really. The more games you win on the trot, on an unbeaten run, the more confidence it brings to the squad and hopefully we can continue our good work.”

Having won his last three games, Porter added: “We’ve got a lot of tough games coming up over the Christmas period.  I’ve always said if we get to the top ten by Christmas we’ve reached our goal for that part of the season and we’ll push on from there.

“It’s important to stay where we are.  We’re in the right position at the moment, where we want to be.  We’ve had a lot of injuries, a lot of comings and goings and the squad’s settling down and hopefully we can push on from what we’ve achieved from the last three weeks.”

Porter added: “It’s important to keep up your good work.  In this league if you pick up a couple of wins together you climb up the table.

“We’re enjoying it! We’re loving every minute of it and we enjoy going to the grounds and the professionalism of the league and we want more of it!”

Whyteleafe arrive at Reachfields Stadium on Tuesday night in the bottom four and Porter has spoken to other managers’ for information on the Surrey outfit.

“I know a bit about them,” said Porter.  “I’ve spoken to a couple of managers about them.   You have to do that at this level to get anything out of the games so you have to do your homework on certain teams.

“I’ve always said every game is tough in this league, especially for us as we’ve come up into this division, so we’re expecting a tough encounter and we have to be at our best to get something out of the game.”

Porter then takes his side to fifth-placed Worthing on Saturday.

He said: “I went to watch them against Whitstable last Tuesday so I know a bit about them.  They’re a decent side, they’re up in the play-offs and it will be a tough game.  They’ve got some experienced players.  Every game is going to be tough away from home against a team in the play-offs, especially a team like Worthing.

“We’ve got to go down there and if we can continue our good form from tomorrow night it will stand us in good stead we’ll be looking to get something from Worthing.”

Goalkeeper Kieron Mann (knee), John Walker (bruised ribs) and influential central defender, Pat Kingwell (leg) have been ruled out through injury.

Porter said: “Everyone should be back for Saturday except for Kieron Mann.

“Paul Egan has done well.  He’s come in as number two for Kieron and Kieron got injured and I said the shirt is his to give away really.   He’s a good lad, got a good attitude and he trains well.  The more games he plays the more confidence he gets and he’s been a massive plus for us.”

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

Hythe Town  v  Whyteleafe
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 6^th December 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6JS