Kentish Football 
The FA Vase is a winnable trophy, says Hythe Town boss Scott Porter
Wednesday 08th December 2010
HYTHE TOWN boss Scott Porter says he would swap FA Carlsberg Vase glory for promotion out of the Safety Net Associates Kent League next April, writes Stephen McCartney.
Porter guided the club to the FA Cup First Round for the very first time in their history last month, but their dream ended in a plucky 5-1 defeat at League Two side Hereford United.
Porter takes his side to Ridgeons League side Leiston in the Third Round of The FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday - but the Suffolk side have players that can play at a much higher level and knocked Folkestone Invicta out of the FA Cup earlier in the season and also took Dartford to a Fourth Qualifying Round replay.
Porter hasn’t spoken to Neil Cugley or Tony Burman (the managers of Folkestone and Dartford respectively) but the sports editor of the Folkestone Herald newspaper.
“I’ve spoken to Mick Cork in detail about how they play and what they’re all about - but we’re not worried about them too much - let them worry about us,” Porter told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.
“We know how we set up. I don’t think they’ve had us watched as they’re hasn’t been enough time to watch us but we’re full of confidence at the minute. We’re on a little bit of a roll and we’ll take this into the game on Saturday and hopefully we can come away with a result.”
All FA Carlsberg Vase ties involving Kent League sides have been delayed by seven days due to the current cold snap, and Porter revealed how preparations are going.
He said: “We didn’t do nothing last week, we’re in the same boat as everyone else around this area, but we trained last night along the beach for a good hour for fitness work and we’ll be on the pitch tomorrow night preparing for Saturday.”
Following their heroics in The FA Cup, all eyes are on Porter’s men to see if they can progress in the FA Vase - a competition for County League sides with a Wembley final at the end of it.
“The FA Cup is a dream, that’s a dream, you’re never going to win it, but the Vase is a winnable trophy,” said Porter.
“I think all the people left in it, as well as the Kent League sides, are good enough to win it so if you get a little bit of luck along the way and play to your ability there’s every chance you can progress far in the competition.
“We’re looking to do that but it’s going to be tough on Saturday so we have got to be at our best.”
If they pull off a great result to knock out Leiston, Hythe will travel to either Guildford City or Moneyfields in the last 32 on 22 January 2011.
“Yes, this is the toughest one, obviously Leiston, but they’re all going to be tough if you get to this stage in this competition,” added Porter. “Every game you’re going to play is going to be tough, whether it’s home or away.
“We’d like a home draw but we’ve got this one away and if we win that we’re away again, but we’ve had enough away trips to get through and the coach journey’s have been good so let’s carry it on Saturday.”
When asked whether he’d rather win at Wembley Stadium or be playing Ryman League football next August, Porter replied, “We want to win the league. Simple as that! We want to get out of this league and anything else is a bonus. The FA Cup was a bonus and if the FA Vase comes that’s a massive bonus, but the league is our priority without a doubt.”
Visit Hythe Town’s website: www.hythetownfc.co.uk
Leiston v Hythe Town
FA Carlsberg Vase Third Round
Saturday 11th December 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Victory Road, Leiston, Suffolk IP16 4DQ
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