We want to take Dover Athletic as a scalp, says Hythe Town boss Scott Porter

HYTHE TOWN boss Scott Porter says he is looking forward to the visit of local giants Dover Athletic on Tuesday night.



Nicky Forster brings his Dover Athletic side to Reachfields Stadium as both clubs do battle for a place in the Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com Final.

The winners will play either holders Dartford or Charlton Athletic – who meet at Princes Park on 27 March – in the showpiece final and Porter is relishing the underdog tag, especially as they sprung a giant-killing act over Conference Premier outfit Ebbsfleet United in the quarter-finals, winning 4-1 at Stonebridge Road after 120 minutes.

“It’s a game we’re looking forward to as a club and as a team,” said Porter, who, along with his club officials, watched Ramsgate’s 3-2 win at Folkestone Invicta yesterday, as Hythe Town were without a game.

“You don’t get bigger than Dover in our area.  They’re the biggest club in our area so it’s good to have them in a semi-final.

“It’s kept our season alive as well to be honest.  We’re still in with a shout of the play-off’s and with this semi-final it just keeps everyone on the up and it’s something to look forward to.”

Porter is relishing the game against their higher league neighbours, no matter what names are on the team-sheet.

He said: “Whatever team they put out will be a good team.  We went to Ebbsfleet not knowing what to expect and it will be same with Dover because we don’t know what sort of team they’re going to put out.

“We’ve got nothing to lose and there’s a big incentive if we win the game as well.”

Reflecting on their shock win over Liam Daish’s side in the last round, Porter said: “We didn’t know what to expect.  I said to the lads if we get into half-time and we’re still in the game (then we’ve got a chance).  When we got in at half-time I said there’s no reason why we can’t go and win the game.

“To be fair we should have wrapped up the game in 90 minutes but we showed a lot of character, fitness and commitment to win 4-1 and convincingly in the end.

“I think it’s going to be the same with Dover.  Whatever side they put out is going to be decent whether it’s half and half, academy or first team fringe players.

“I know they want to get to the play-offs and that’s more important, but for us we’ve got nothing to lose.  We’re the underdogs and if we do win the game we’ve got a massive incentive with Charlton or Dartford in the final.

“There’s a lot to play for and it will be a great occasion for the club. There will be a big crowd down there.  Hopefully they’ll bring a few as well and it’s a game we’re looking forward to.”

This game is arguably the club’s biggest ever midweek game at Reachfields Stadium and Porter wants it to turn into a special night for the progressing club.

“Since I’ve been the manager as well we had the Woking thing and the Hereford thing. We always have a scalp or a Cup run going and there’s no reason why we can’t continue it this year against Dover.

“They’re not going to fancy coming down to our place.  It’s quite an intimidating place with the crowd and everything so close.

“We’re getting our rewards at the moment at Reachfields because we’re on a good run.”

Hythe Town suffered a humiliating 8-0 defeat away to neighbours Folkestone Invicta on Boxing Day and since then have remained unbeaten for eight games.

Porter is pleased that his side have turned it around and are showing their true potential in their inaugural campaign in Ryman League Division One South, now sitting in ninth-place, following Ramsgate’s win at Cheriton Road yesterday.

“It was a case of having to, to be honest with you,” explained Porter.  “We sat down with the lads after the Folkestone game individually and as a squad and we got a few things off our chest.

“We told them a few home truths and the players have responded and we’ve changed a certain way we play and we’re more organised.

“Consistency is a massive thing and the last eight games have proved that.  We play some decent stuff and the lads have responded from the Folkestone game and we’ve all knuckled down and it’s a good place to be at the minute and we’re going in the right direction.

Porter hopes both sets of supporters turn out in force on Tuesday night to watch their heroes in action.

He said: “You’ve got an incentive there.  No one knows where the final is going to be players but if you get Charlton then who knows and Dartford are a big club as well and it’s a Cup final.   It’s a big day out – or a night out.

“It’s another achievement to put down on things (my CV).  The club is moving forward very quickly since we won the Kent League.  Since I’ve been there we’ve won the Kent League, reached the first round of The FA Cup and we’re ninth in Ryman South with 12 games to go.

“It’s a good place to be at the minute and we’re getting our rewards for our hard work.”

Porter added: “There’s a lot of local people who support Dover in this area as they’re a big non-league club around this area.  Hopefully we can get 700-800 people through the gate.”

STAT ATTACK
Dover won the Kent Senior Cup in 1952, 1960, 1962, 1967, 1968, 1971 and 1972

Dover Athletic have won the Kent Senior Cup once, beating Gravesend & Northfleet at Gillingham in 1991

Dover Athletic have lost in all four finals since they won it; 1994 to Margate (at Gillingham), 1997 to Bromley (Millwall), 2001 to Gravesend & Northfleet (Dover Athletic) and 2005 to Margate (Folkestone Invicta)

This season has seen Dover Athletic win their first Kent Senior Cup tie for five seasons, going out in their first tie in the previous four seasons

Hythe Town have only played in the competition once before, in 1991-1992, being the first ever club promoted to the Kent Senior Cup after winning the Kent Senior Trophy the previous season.  Wins over Margate, Fisher Athletic and Ashford Town set up a final against Bromley, but Hythe Town lost 3-1 after extra time at Gillingham, in the season that Dover Athletic were the holders.

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

Hythe Town  v  Dover Athletic
Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com Semi-Final
Tuesday 28^th February 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6JS