Kentish Football 
We don't want teams coming to Reachfields and winning, says Hythe Town boss Scott Porter
Monday 06th September 2010
HYTHE TOWN boss Scott Porter says he wants his side to make Reachfields Stadium a fortress this season, writes Stephen McCartney.
Hythe’s run of four straight wins came to an end at the weekend, when they were held to a 2-2 draw by current leaders Herne Bay.
Porter’s side found themselves 2-0 down within 19 minutes as both Steve Hanson and Dan Lawrence converted following two Simon Moore corners, but Brendon Cass netted his fifth goal of the season just 46 seconds after Lawrence’s strike, before skipper Dave Cook glanced home a second half equaliser.
Goalkeeper Kieran Mann had kept two clean sheets during their first two home games at Reachfields Stadium and Porter, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, wants to make it difficult for visiting sides.
Hythe welcome Combined Counties League side Epsom & Ewell in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round on Saturday.
The Surrey side are presently in 11th place (out of 21) in the premier division with a record of 2 wins and a draw from their 6 league outings.
“When the FA Cup got drawn we see if we can win these games,” said Porter.
“It’s a definite winnable game and it’s a game we feel we can win and obviously we go out anyway trying to win it.
“I think we don’t have to worry about other teams. We’ll prepare ourselves for training on Tuesday and Thursday as usual and hopefully look to get the result on Saturday.”
Last season, Hythe took Blue Square Bet South giants Woking to two games, going out in the second qualifying round, and Porter’s side are more than capable of reaching the same stage this year.
He said: “You could do with another little club in the next round as well because the further forward you go, you collect a few more quid in the bank.
But Porter hopes home advantage should see his side through, which will bank the club a further £3,000 in prize money.
“You try to make your own ground a place where people don’t want to come,” he said.
“We don’t want people to come down here and get (wins) and that’s what I said to the players. It’s our own ground and we make it a fortress.”
Porter explained why he has signed contracted Ramsgate striker Gary Lockyer, 17, on a two-month loan deal.
“I’ve had some great reports about Gary, he’s big, strong, he looks after the ball and that’s what we want,” said Porter.
“We’ve brought him in because Thommo’s (Craig Thompson) getting married in the next week or couple of weeks and he’s going away so we’re going to miss him.
“Damian Abel is going away on holiday so we had to bring somebody else in.
“Gary’s trained with us (last) Thursday and he’s a good lad and he’s got a bright future I’m sure and hopefully he can kick-start it with us.”
Visit Hythe Town’s website: www.hythetownfc.co.uk
Hythe Town v Epsom & Ewell
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round
Saturday 11th September 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6JS
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd