We thrive on being the underdogs, says Hythe Town defender Tom Parkinson

HYTHE TOWN defender Tom Parkinson says his team-mates can produce their third Kent Senior Cup giant-killing by grabbing the trophy for the very first time in the club’s history on Tuesday night.



Scott Porter’s side travel to face holders Dartford at Princes Park Stadium as underdogs, but the Ryman League Division One South side have defeated two higher league clubs, Ebbsfleet United (Conference Premier) and Dover Athletic (Conference South) in the last two rounds.

Dartford, who go into the game in second place in Conference South, are the favourites to land the silverware for the eleventh time in their illustrious history.

Hythe Town, who sit in a respectable eighth-place in their inaugural Ryman League Division One South campaign, have reached the final just once previously, losing to Bromley after extra time at Gillingham’s Preistfield Stadium back in 1992, the club’s last game before liquidation.

Reflecting on their league campaign, Parkinson, 20, who played for Maidstone United last season and coaches Haart of Kent County League Division One outfit University of Kent, the Canterbury based university where he is studying a financial maths course, said, “We’ve been pleased with the way we’ve done.  At one point it looked like we were going to get into the play-offs. It wasn’t to be but to finish in the top ten in this league is a good achievement for us.”

Parkinson says he is really looking forward to Tuesday’s Cup Final, especially as the club have gone further than League One champions Charlton Athletic, who lost to Dartford 3-0 in the semi-finals, and League Two outfit Gillingham, who suffered an early second round exit at Welling United.

He said: “Each round we’ve taken it seriously. Some teams don’t take it seriously, but we’ve knocked out Ebbsfleet and we’ve knocked out Dover.  Why not Dartford in the final?

“It’s in front of most of their fans but no games easy in football.  Being the underdogs we thrive on that.  Hythe had a brilliant FA Cup run last year, knocking out Staines Town in that league.  We’ve knocked Dover out, we’ve knocked Ebbsfleet out. We’ve got nothing to fear.

“We’re just going to take it as a normal game really. We’re all going to be up for it. We’ll just play our normal way, we’ll play in their faces, be hard to beat and you never know in a Cup Final.”

Dartford won last year’s final, beating their Conference South rivals Bromley 4-1.  The fixture was played on May Bank Holiday Monday and was watched by an excellent crowd of 2,025.

“The boys thrive on a big crowd,” said fearless Parkinson.

“There’s no reason why we can’t win.  Dartford are the favourites. They’re a good side. I’ve seen them against Welling a couple of times.  I know a few of their players.  They’ve got some really good players, but so have we.   The boys have got nothing to lose, so we’ll go out there and give it our best and see what happens.

“If Dartford take us lightly, I fancy us!  I don’t think they’ll take it lightly. 

“The Kent Senior Cup has got Charlton and Gillingham in it this year. It’s a big Cup.  In front of a big crowd.  We fancy it.”

Parkinson praised his manager, who guided the club to the FA Cup First Round and secured the Kent League title last season and takes his side to Merstham next Saturday knowing if they avoid defeat against the side immediately below them in the table then they will finish in the top eight.

“Scott’s done very well. He’s brought in some players who have played at this level, with the players he had before,” said Parkinson.

“He’s a very good manager. He motivates the team well.  We play to a system.  Everyone enjoys it. We’ve got a very good team spirit.  All the boys stick together.  We all go out together and everyone enjoys playing for the manager.”

When asked how the game will be won, Parkinson replied, “Good question!  I think it will be won on who wants it more.  I know we want it.  It could be on a set-piece, but we’ll be organised and we’ll see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Hythe striker, Brendon Cass will make an emotional return to Princes Park on Tuesday night. 

Cass scored the first ever goal at the £6.5m stadium, when he took 10 minutes and 27 seconds to score in Dartford’s 4-2 win over Tommy Sampson’s Horsham YMCA in a Ryman League Division One South fixture back on 11 November 2006.

Hythe midfielder, Nick Barnes, meanwhile, came off the bench as a substitute in that game and both former Dartford players will relish their return.

Admission prices  for this game have been confirmed:
£10 (adults)
£5 (under 16s/OAP’s)
£2 (under 12s)

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

Dartford  v   Hythe Town
Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by portablefloodlights.com Final
Tuesday 24^th April 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT