The FA Cup is all about enjoyment, says table-topping Luchford

Thursday 10th September 2009

FAVERSHAM TOWN boss Justin Luchford is doing all he can to play down the hype surrounding his side’s FA Cup showdown against fellow title contenders Hythe Town on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Lilywhites stormed to the top of the Kent League table with an impressive 5-1 home win over basement boys Lordswood in midweek- but Luchford, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, is keeping things in perspective ahead of the first qualifying round tussle at Reachfields Stadium against Scott Porter’s unbeaten side.

“It’s a big game for the neutral,” said 32-year-old Luchford. “It’s the FA Cup, all I’m interested in is enjoying Saturday, that’s all I’m interested in, no matter what the result is.

“This is a game where I want us to go down there and enjoy. Let’s go there and have a really good day, enjoy the day and what will be, will be and if we win, we win, great. If we lose, we lose then we go to the next game against Hythe.”

When asked why he is keeping the all-Kent League clash so low-key, Luchford replied, “Because for us it is! I think people are making a bit too much of it!

“Hythe are a very, very, very good side, there’s no two ways about that. They’ve come second in the league, (Paul) Fisk has done a brilliant job over the last four or five games and Scott (Porter) has now taken the mantel on and he’s doing a good job with good results.

“We’ve got good results so for the neutral it’s going to be a good game.

“For me, I want us to enjoy it. The FA Cup is about enjoying it.

“I think at this level people lose sight of the fact how important it is to enjoy days like the FA Cup.”

Hythe Town right-back Tommy Adlington is looking forward to the clash, especially as Damian Abel, Dale Skelton, Richard Sinden, Michael Smissen and the two Luchford’s - Dane and Justin - used to play for Hythe and now wear the white shirts of Faversham.

“It’s going to be a massive game,” the former Ashford defender told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after Hythe thumped Ryman One South side Eastbourne Town 4-0 in the last round two weeks ago.

“There’s players that have left here and gone there, there’s players that have left here and gone there, so it will be massive.”

Hythe manager Scott Porter was unavailable to comment.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

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

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Hythe Town v Faversham Town

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round

Saturday 12th September 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6JS