We know it's a work in progress, says Hythe Town assistant Darren Beale

HYTHE TOWN assistant manager Darren Beale insists they will get it right for their league opener against Burgess Hill Town.

The Cannons lacked firepower as they crashed to a 2-0 defeat away to last season’s Kent Invicta League champions Hollands & Blair yesterday, after losing to Southern Counties East Football League side Lordswood by the same scoreline.

Hythe must put in a vastly better performance on Tuesday, when they host Ryman Premier League side Maidstone United at Reachfields Stadium.

“Whatever side Jay (Saunders) brings down, whether it’s a full strength side, we know we’re in for a hard game on Tuesday night,” said Beale.

“We thought yesterday was hard in the heat against an organised side. It’s going to be twice as hard on Tuesday and Chatham for the last game.

“The gaffer likes to pitch it up against a Ryman North side.  That’s a decent side and we’ll see how far we’re away when we turn up next Saturday against Chatham.”

Hythe Town appointed former Ramsgate manager Tim Dixon after Scott Porter’s successful five-year reign came to an end on 6 May 2014.

Porter made his side a formidable opponent and played a style of football that other team's feared.

Beale, who has come with Dixon from the Rams, says Hythe fans will get used to a more attractive brand of football this season.

“We’ve introduced new players and a different way to how they played last year,” said Beale, who was in charge at Hollands & Blair due to Dixon being on holiday.

“They done well last year. The way they played but they’ve lost certain individuals and a style that they wanted to play and we want to get the ball down.  The players have all brought into that. It will take time.

“We’ve brought the likes of Dave Pilcher in. He was someone working with us at Ramsgate. He knows what we’re about.

“We had a young lad out there (Harry Carr) that’s only just turned sixteen and he’s going to take time to adjust. He’s gone from under 16s (with Hythe) to playing Ryman South so it’s a massive learning curve for him, bless him, but he’s done well.  There’s lots that we can work on with him.”

When a manager moves clubs he tends to bring players with him, but Pilcher is the only one that has made the switch along the Kent coast.

“Macca (Macauley) Murray was one that was definitely coming to us,” revealed Beale.

“Again he’s a type of player we’re looking for, but he’s dad (Paul) went to Ramsgate so funnily enough we had a text from him on Friday ‘no hard feelings, we wish you well. I enjoyed every minute with you. Sorry I couldn’t come.”

“Ian Pulman was another one that was adamant he wanted to come and play for us but sometimes different, how can I put it? Different matters other than the football side of things make a difference.

“We’re happy that we’ve got Dave, so you never know in the season do you, how things go.”

The Cannons, who finished in eighth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table last season, open their campaign against Burgess Hill Town on 9 August.

“It’s quite an exciting game really,” said Beale.

“Burgess Hill was one of the teams I certainly tipped last season for the play-offs but obviously just feel short.

“I think it will be a good test for us.  We’ll go from Maidstone, Chatham to Burgess Hill.

“But the first game will be a difficult game so if we get anything against Burgess Hill then we’ll be happy. 

“They’ve got a good set-up there and they’ve strengthened there.”

But if the club are to reach the play-off’s – on a reduced budget to last season – then they must perform better than they did at Hollands & Blair yesterday.

“I think you ask any manager or assistant manager it’s the play-offs is the goal but we’re not silly. We know it’s a work in progress.”

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