Fisk hits-back at Tompkins' long-ball jibes - EXCLUSIVE

HYTHE TOWN boss Paul Fisk has responded to comments made by Mark Tompkins about his side’s style of play, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tompkins, who has guided his Erith Town side to the club’s first ever Kent League Cup final last week, claimed that “Hythe’s not really a footballing side, they like to play it long.”

Erith Town had reached next month’s Folkestone final by defeating much-fancied side Beckenham Town 2-1 on aggregate.

The Dockers needed a late goal in extra time to see of Jason Huntley’s men at the Erith Sports Stadium, having escaped from Eden Park Avenue with a lucky goal-less draw in a rather one-sided first leg.

For Hythe Town, meanwhile, Fisk’s men cruised past Herne Bay 6-1 on aggregate - winning their home first leg tie 4-1.

Both sides will meet in the final at Folkestone Invicta’s Buzzlines Stadium in Cheriton Road on Saturday, 3^rd May.

And Fisk, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, hit back at Tompkins’ comments of last week, as both sides look to lift the Kent League Cup for the very first time.

“We are very pleased to be in Hythe’s first League Cup final for twenty years and a Cup that the club has never won,” said Fisk.

“We have plenty of respect for Erith Town and we expect a very tough game.”

Third placed Hythe are eight points behind champions-elect Thamesmead Town in the Kent League table with only three games left to play.

The Reachfields Stadium outfit, meanwhile, are 15 points clear of an Erith Town side that’s in fifth, as Tompkins’ side are destined to record their best ever finish in the League.

Looking ahead to the final, Fisk said: “It should be an interesting game with our direct style of play and Erith’s total football!

“Folkestone’s big flat pitch should suit the Erith style of play to try and get the ball down and play.

“But it’s a Cup final and we will endeavour to do our best as we have all season.”

Before their showdown, Erith Town welcome second-bottom side Holmesdale to Avenue Road on Wednesday (7:30pm) before ending their campaign with three local derbies.

A home game against Slade Green (Saturday, 12^th April), is followed by a trip to VCD Athletic (19^th) before the battle of Erith, for the visit of the Deres on the last day of the season.

For Hythe, Fisk takes his side to underperforming Erith & Belvedere on Saturday before Greenwich Borough are the last visitors to Reachfields Stadium on 19^th April. They end their league campaign away to Tunbridge Wells (26^th April).

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

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering the Kent League Cup Final between Erith Town and Hythe Town on Saturday, 3^rd May.