KENT LEAGUE CUP FINAL: Fisk delighted with top-four finish - EXCLUSIVE

HYTHE TOWN boss Paul Fisk is relishing the opportunity of bringing the Kent League Cup to Reachfields Stadium for the first time since 1989, writes Stephen McCartney.

Hythe make the 12-mile round trip to Folkestone Invicta’s Cheriton Road ground on Saturday to lock horns with a side, Erith Town, making their first appearance in the showpiece final.

Fisk, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, admitted finishing their 32-match Kent League campaign in fourth place, one place and 14 points clear of the Dockers, represents a good one.

“I think we’re well pleased with how the season went,” said Fisk. “I don’t think anyone would sort of put us in the top four at the beginning of the season.

“We’re well happy with it but at some stage we could have done better than top four, so it’s been a good season for us.”

Hythe are opening their clubhouse at 12 noon on Saturday, before the players’ board a coach at 1:15pm to make the short trip to Cheriton Road, before the coach returns to pick up supporters at 1:45pm.

Fans willing to travel should contact club secretary Mr Martin Giles on 01303 265 962 - the fare is only £3.00.

“I think we haven’t made too much off a big occasion (of it) because it’s at Folkestone, it’s just up the road for us,” said Fisk.

“Player wise, and for my point of view, we’re not doing anything special.”

Looking ahead to next season, Fisk knows what he needs.

"I think we’re looking at maybe a couple of wide players,” he revealed. “I would say we’d look to strengthen anywhere. If there’s any good players available, we’d be interested.”

Experienced goalkeeper Paul Hyde, meanwhile, is expected to continue playing, at the age of 45.

Fisk, meanwhile, expects Saturday’s Kent League Cup Final against Erith Town to be a cagey affair.

“We’ve had two very close and difficult games against them,” he recalled. “I anticipate the game being a close and hard fought game really.

“We haven’t had easy games against them, so it will be a difficult game.

“They don’t let many goals in and haven’t lost many games all season. They’re a very well coached team, so he’s (Mark Tompkins) done a good job there.”

Despite playing at neighbouring Folkestone, the Hythe boss doesn’t see that as an advantage.

He said: “It’s not our ground, I haven’t been to Folkestone’s ground for quite a while.

“A good part of our players are not ex-Folkestone players so I don’t think it’s personally too much of an advantage so we’ve got to treat it as a normal game.

“I don’t think we’re favourites, or it being too much of an advantage with the game being at Folkestone.”

Fisk has yet sat down with his side to discuss his plans for next season, but he said: “We’ll probably have a chat after this weekend about next season. I would hope that most of the players will stay with us for next season, I don’t see why not.”

And he wants his side to finish the campaign with a Trophy.

Fisk added: “We’re looking forward to it. Our form over the last four or five games hasn’t been good, but I think it’s because we’re in a Cup Final.”

* An interview with Erith Town manager Mark Tompkins will follow later in the week.

Visit Hythe Town’s website:  www.hythetownfc.co.uk
The club are having difficulties updating their website at present

Erith Town v Hythe Town
Kent League Cup Final
Saturday 3^rd May 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU