We must knuckle down for FA Vase tie at Herne Bay, says proud Porter

Wednesday 30th September 2009

HYTHE TOWN come back down to earth on Saturday as they travel to their Kent League rivals Herne Bay in the first round of the FA Carlsberg Vase, writes Stephen McCartney.

Boss Scott Porter was a proud man after his side took full-time Blue Square South giants Woking to a FA Cup second qualifying round replay, and were in the game for 80 minutes at Kingfield Stadium last night, but three goals in the final ten minutes meant Woking won the replay 5-1.

As soon as the players stepped off the lush playing surface at Kingfield Stadium, attention turned to their trip to Winch’s Field for their FA Vase clash.

Hythe supporters will hope that their side don’t fall flat following their FA Cup heroics - an example of this was a couple of years ago when Dover Athletic (then in Ryman League Division One South) were beaten in the FA Cup and seven days later Sussex County League side Arundel won 5-0 to end Hythe’s FA Vase campaign.

“That’s been mentioned already,” Porter told www.kentishfootball.co.uk immediately after walking off the pitch at the final whistle at Woking last night.

“I said to them out there, we’ll learn from this and I think we can go far in the Vase. I’ve told them it’s another competition we can do well in.

“I’ve told them to forget about this (FA Cup run) now, it’s over, everything’s over. We have to knuckle down for Saturday and try and make a run in that and get winning again.”

Porter’s players have been given a deserved night off from training tomorrow night, following their brave efforts during 180 minutes against full-time Woking.

“This will take a little bit out of us but we’ll have a rest on Thursday and hopefully recharge our batteries for Saturday,” added Porter.

“It’s bread and butter, back to our standard and hopefully we can do well in the Vase.”

Due to their FA Cup heroics, Hythe have fallen behind in the Bulmers Cider Kent League, sitting in eighth place in the table with 7 points from four games.

Herne Bay are presently in third place in the table - seven points adrift of league leaders Faversham Town, although Woking manager Graham Baker felt Faversham and Hythe will be the sides gunning for the title this term.

Bay won 4-0 at Farnham Town to get to this stage - Hythe start their campaign in this round.

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfc.net

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

Herne Bay v Hythe Town

FA Carlsberg Vase First Round

Saturday 3rd October 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG