New Romney help Hythe in their hour of need

HYTHE TOWN secretary Martin Giles has tonight criticised Vandanel Kent County League side Rusthall for pulling out of tomorrow night’s pre-season friendly - by text message, writes Stephen McCartney.

But after ringing around numerous Kent clubs this afternoon, Mr Giles is thankful for neighbouring side New Romney for filling the gap for tomorrow’s Reachfields Stadium warm-up, at very short notice.

Mr Giles, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, was far from impressed with Rusthall’s antics.

He said: “The facts are that we were told by a text message this lunchtime that they would not be coming.

“Nobody from the club has had the courtesy to apologise or speak to us, or even to check we received the text.”

Mr Giles revealed that the club have already printed programmes for the Rustic’s visit, but is grateful for New Romney filling the breach.

“We’ve treated the match as the same as an Ashford or Chatham and I don’t they’ve (Rusthall) behaved in a reasonable way,” he said.

“We’ve not received the respect that we deserve for doing so, as we would if we were playing a Ryman League side.

“We’re very pleased that New Romney have agreed in the last minute. This afternoon, we’ve been around the county, people like Sittingbourne and Cray were all looking to help us but unfortunately couldn’t. New Romney have said yes, they’re up for it, they’re very close and it’s very easy for them.”

Hythe’s preparations for their Kent League campaign has seen them win 5-0 at Lydd, before an entertaining 3-3 draw at home to Ashford Town.

But Chatham Town came away from Reachfields Stadium at the weekend with a 5-1 win, but the home side were without goalkeeper Paul Hyde and three central defenders in Sam Marsh, Pat Kingwell and Gavin Ransley.

And Mr Giles says the club are aiming for a top three Kent League finish this season.

He said: “The manager’s aims is to finish as high as we did last time, which was fourth.

“We can’t compete with the club’s banding the money around but we’re looking to finish as high as we did last year. If we can have a FA Cup or FA Vase run, that will be ideal.”

Tuesday night’s home friendly against New Romney kick’s off at 7:45pm.

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