Porter plots FA Cup giantkilling

Graham Baker brings his side to Kent knowing that his side are unbeaten on their travels in Blue Square South.

The Cards are fourth in the table with 21 points – five points behind league leaders Dover Athletic – but have picked up 13 points on their travels.

Hythe Town, meanwhile, lost their unbeaten home record last weekend, as title-rivals Faversham Town came away from Reachfields with a 2-1 victory, much to Porter’s disappointment.

“We didn’t have a good day at the office at all and that was everyone,” Porter told www.kentishfootball.co.uk this lunchtime.

“The goalkeeper got injured in the warm up, getting the reserve keeper back from Faversham and then not one player played well at all and it was disappointing from everyone.

“I was disappointed myself and everyone got told that at the end.  We had a good chat for a long time trying to solve the problems – we’ll be ready for Saturday!”

Goalkeeper Kieron Mann is hoping to be fit for Saturday’s mouth-watering FA Cup tie against Woking.

Porter revealed that if the former Folkestone Invicta stopper is unfit, then he will call upon the services of former Ramsgate and Deal Town stopper Danny Twyman.

“We’re preparing as normal, nothing’s going to change because it’s Woking,” added Porter.

“We’ll prepare as we do for every other game we have done this season.  We’ve trained Tuesday and we’ll train again tonight and we’ll turn up normal time and ready for it on Saturday.”

When asked if this was the club’s biggest game of the season, Porter replied, “Not really – I’d say last week was against Faversham in the league for me because I want to win the league and there were three points at stake.

“But for the club, money wise, gate wise and the club that’s coming down, yes, I would say yes!”

Woking must be warned that Hythe knocked Dover Athletic (then a Ryman League Division One South club) out of the FA Cup at this stage of the competition in 2007 in front of a crowd of 1,109.

And Porter, who was number two to Paul Fisk that day, is plotting yet another giant-killing.

“I don’t see why not!” he said.  “That’s what’s the Cup’s all about.  They could come down with the wrong attitude, don’t fancy the pitch, this that and the other.

“If we have the right attitude, which I hope we will have, which I will be getting into the players tonight, we’ve got nothing to lose.

“Let’s get at them, stop them playing and try and pick off some chances.  If we only get a couple of chances, we need to be clinical in front of goal.

“Woking are full-time footballers, they’re young and they obviously want to play.

“Hopefully we’ll get something out of it – you never know, it’s the FA Cup!”

Meanwhile, Hythe Town officials have confirmed that admission prices have been set at £8 (adults) and £4 (concessions), with programmes on sale at £1.

Seating (benches) are free but once the game starts the larger west section is only reached via the open end of the ground and the toilets are at the opposite end (as well as the bar).

The balcony areas have been reserved for sponsors, officials and in the interests of safety the one unbooked area has been set aside for home fans.  The ground opens at 12 noon.

The game is not segregated.  Smoking is permitted in the ground but not in the upstairs areas.

The club bar will open at 12 noon.  Hot food will be available but service is likely to be slow immediately before and during the game.

Hythe officials have expressed the hope that fans will have a drink together before and after the game in the best traditions of non-league football.

If Saturday’s tie is drawn then the replay will be at Woking’s Kingfield Stadium next Tuesday, 29^th September (7:45pm).

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

Hythe Town  v  Woking
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 26^th September 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6LS