There's a big incentive to beat Whitstable in FA Trophy, says Hythe Town boss Scott Porter

HYTHE TOWN boss Scott Porter says there is a big incentive to knock Whitstable Town out of The FA Trophy on Saturday.

The two Ryman League Division One South Kent coastal rivals lock horns at Reachfields Stadium for a Second Qualifying Round showdown.

Nicky Southall’s Whitstable Town have already played three games in the competition, compared to Hythe's two outings.
 
The Oystermen thrashed their Kent rivals Sittingbourne 5-1 at Woodstock before winning 2-1 at Potters Bar Town in a midweek replay after a 2-2 draw at Belmont Road.

Hythe Town defeated Aveley 2-1 and Tilbury 3-1 to reach this stage.
 
Both clubs have banked £5,200 from this season’s FA Trophy run.

Whoever wins Saturday’s game will bank a welcomed £3,250 in prize money from The Football Association and can come up against a Conference South club in the Third Qualifying Round, because club’s at that level enter the competition at the next stage.

Looking ahead to facing Whitstable, Porter said: “It’s always going to be tough. Any Kent derby is tough. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the league or cup.  The cup gives it a little bit more incentive and a little bit more spice.

“We’re expecting a tough game. They’re always tough games against Whitstable and all the Kent sides so there’s a big incentive at the end of it. There’s money at stake, next round of The Trophy, so it’s a big game for both clubs.”

When asked how the Kent derby will be won on Saturday, Porter replied: “Whoever wants it more really and to be fair it could be a mistake. It could be a bit of quality but there will be a lot riding on it. There will be a lot of passion flying around, especially from our camp. 

“At the end of the day a bit of quality could finish the game or a mistake. That’s the value of the game really.

“It’s going to be tough. Both teams will go gung-ho to go and win the game and we certainly will as well.”

When asked what The FA Carlsberg Trophy means to Hythe Town, Porter replied: “It’s massive to be fair because there’s money at stake. We’ll treat it with the utmost respect especially with the incentive to go in the next round when the big clubs come in.  The Conference South clubs come in at the next round so you could get a Dover or whatever.

“We look to win the game and hopefully get another home tie. It’s difficult against Whitstable so hopefully we can put in a professional performance and continue our good form and keep going the way we’re going.”

Hythe Town go into the game sitting in eleventh-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, having won five and drawn five of their thirteen games.

Whitstable Town arrive at Reachfields Stadium sitting in the bottom-five with three wins and five draws from their fourteen league outings.

Porter was asked to comment on his club’s league campaign so far.

He said: “It’s a bit up and down to be fair.  We’re getting a bit of consistency now.  We’re eight unbeaten in all league and cups.

“We’ve chopped and changed, a few have left. I’m happy with what we’ve got at the minute. The players’ have got a lot of confidence in the side.

“We have to keep working hard and doing the right things and if we keep doing that then it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Hythe Town finished in a personal best of fourth-place in the table last season, but crashed to a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Faversham Town in the play-off semi-finals.

Ryman League clubs play 46 league games this season due to all three divisions extended to 24 teams.

“That’s why I’m not worried about our league position with the amount of games that we’ve got,” added Porter.

“We’ve got so many games coming up. You only need two or three wins and you’re back up there.

“I’m happy with (playing 46 league games). I like games Saturday and Tuesday because it keeps everyone on their toes so it’s good for the league and I’ve got no problem with that at all.”

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

Hythe Town  v  Whitstable Town
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 2^nd November 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Reachfields Stadium, off Fort Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6JS