We are relaxed about playing the Kent Senior Cup Final away, says Hythe Town chairman Paul Markland

HYTHE TOWN chairman Paul Markland says he feels relaxed about playing this season’s Kent Senior Cup Final at Princes Park.

The Ryman League Division One South club have defeated Kent League side Erith Town in the second round, before Scott Porter’s side pulled off memorable giant-killing acts to beat higher-league Ebbsfleet United and Dover Athletic to reach the final for only the second time in the club’s history.

They lost to Bromley in their first final, which was played at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium back in May 1992, which was the last game before the club went into liquidation.

Dartford needed extra time to beat Folkestone Invicta and Tonbridge Angels, before they pulled off a giant-killing off their own, beating a Charlton Athletic side with five first teamers in the semi-finals, in front of a crowd of 1,682 last Tuesday.

Tony Burman’s side are the holders, having beaten Bromley 4-1 at Princes Park Stadium, in front of a bumper May Bank Holiday Monday crowd of 2,025, at the end of last season.

And the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South club are the favourites to land their eleventh Kent Senior Cup title when the two clubs meet at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium on Tuesday, 24 April (7:45pm).

There is only one other football match being played in Kent on that night and a similar turn-out to last year’s final is expected.

Mr Markland said: “Pleased to have reached the final, with some good wins along the way, in our first season back in the competition, especially as it has been strengthened this season.”

The Kent County Football Association invited Gillingham and Charlton Athletic back in the competition this season to boost the competition.

The Gills suffered a second round exit away to Welling United, while the Addicks won away to Bromley and Margate, before losing to the Darts last week.

Mr Markland added: “Whilst we would have been happy to host the game at Reachfields, we are relaxed about playing away.”

Hythe Town manager, Scott Porter, 32, says he is relishing being the underdogs for the final.

He said last week: “We’ve been underdogs against Ebbsfleet and Dover and it goes in our favour.  We seem to thrive on that.

“Since the time I’ve been manager, we’ve done a few scalps in my time.  Why can’t it continue?

“Hopefully my boys will be up for it, like we were against Dover and Ebbsfleet.  Being underdogs paves in our favour.”

Meanwhile, Dartford have confirmed today that midfielder Jon Wallis has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Scan results have revealed that there is a small fracture in his ankle bone.

The Kent County Football Association have confirmed that Mr Paul Harris (Maidstone) will referee the final.

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

Visit Dartford’s websites: www.dartfordfconline.com  & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk  

Visit The Kent County Football Association website: www.kentfa.com