Fisk expects another tough battle against Vickers

HYTHE TOWN boss Paul Fisk wants his side will express themselves against their Bulmers Cider Kent League rivals VCD Athletic on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Both sides played out a dull goal-less draw at Reachfields Stadium on Saturday and Fisk wants his side to win this FA Cup First Qualifying Round replay at Oakwood to set up a trip to Ryman One North leaders East Thurrock United in the next round on 20^th September.

“Well, I don’t think it was probably the best game to watch,” Fisk told www.kentishfootball.co.uk  tonight.

“We didn’t create very much during the game and VCD worked hard and defended well. It wasn’t an attractive game I would say.”

This will be the third meeting between the two sides in the last ten days and only one goal has been scored - Hythe striker Michael Smissen scoring in the league fixture at Oakwood.

And Fisk predicts: “I think it will be a close game. We’ll be going there to try and win. Saturday was tight and the week before was tight. Maybe the game might be a bit more open.”

However, Fisk expects Smissen to be unavailable for their trip to Crayford tomorrow night and says his unbeaten side are stretched to the limit.

He said: “We’ve picked up a few injuries. Buster Smissen didn’t play Saturday and it looks unlikely he’ll be available tomorrow. He’s been away and he’ll be trying to get back to play. He’s brother’s getting married (and they’ve gone to Malaga).”

Captain Gavin Ransley suffered an ankle ligament injury in the first game and Fisk says “he could be out for a while.”

And Craig Southen, who has played the last two games, has also been ruled out, this time through work commitments.

And Fisk added: “We’ve gone through having a very large squad to a small one. I’m not complaining (but) losing Gavin is going to be a blow.

“It’s opportunities for other players really, but it’s using the full squad at the moment.”

Fisk, who takes his side to “tricky” Sporting Bengal United next weekend, isn’t even thinking of a potential trip to East Thurrock in the second qualifying round.

He said: “To be perfectly honest we’re only thinking about the replay at the moment. It’s going to be difficult enough tomorrow evening than planning ahead. We’ll look to Tuesday first and see what happens there.”

Visit VCD Athletic's website:  www.vcd-athletic.co.uk

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

VCD Athletic v Hythe Town
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 16^th September 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN