Fisk plays down Hythe's title chances - EXCLUSIVE

THE KENT League title is still up for grabs as leaders Hythe Town were made to pay the penalty by Beckenham Town at Reachfields Stadium yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Lee Winfield and Michael Smissen both failed to find the back of the net from the penalty spot during the 2-1 defeat.

Hythe Town and Beckenham Town are both sharing top spot with 54 points, although Thamesmead Town and last season’s runners-up VCD Athletic are also in with a shout.

Hythe Town manager Paul Fisk, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, believes Keith McMahon’s side will still clinch the title.

“I think Thamesmead were favourites at the start of the season and they’re favourites now with games in hand and they’re the team in form,” he said. “Now we’re looking to catch Thamesmead or if they slip up.”

Goals from Tony Atkins and Theo Fairweather-Johnson ensured Beckenham Town stretched their unbeaten run to eight games.

“We lost to a good team, probably the best footballing side in the Kent League,” admitted Fisk.

“It’s a blow to lose the game but we missed two penalties and Beckenham are a good side.

“We had our chances, we didn’t take them and against a good team against Beckenham you have to take every opportunity.

“We’ve been on a great run,” admitted Fisk. “We knew it would be a tough game but we fancied our chances as we would in any game.

“We knew it would be tough but we felt we could win.

“You can’t miss two penalties and win a game I don’t think. It turned the game in two ways. One way it gave Beckenham a lift and our lads sort of sunk a little but when we missed the second one.”

But Fisk believes the Kent League will be heading to Thamesmead Town for the very first time at the end of the season.

And having splashed out on £10,000 on ground improvements to bring Bayliss Avenue up to Ryman League standard by the end of this month, the pressure is on McMahon’s side to produce the goods.

“I don’t think we have ruled out our chances,” said Fisk. “I didn’t think we’d go unbeaten and win all our games until the end of the season. We’re still in there but we need Thamesmead to slip up now.

“Thamesmead were the favourites at the start of the season and I think they’re the favourites now.”

Fisk demands a positive reaction from his players for Tuesday night’s Kent League Cup semi-final first leg showdown against Herne Bay on Tuesday night.

“It will be absolutely brilliant if we can get to a final but Herne Bay will be thinking the same,” said Fisk.

“The reaction from the players after Saturday would be interesting as they have to come out and put the loss behind them.

“We’ve always had tight games against them and we’ve lost to them in a two-legged semi-final two or three years ago when (striker) Danny Kedwell was there.”

The Kent League Cup final is normally played at Folkestone Invicta’s Buzzlines Stadium ground at Cheriton Road.

And Fisk added: “It’s an incentive if it is at Folkestone, if it’s there. No-one needs too much incentive to get to a Cup Final wherever it is - we just want to be in a final.”

Dale Skelton serves his one-match ban on Tuesday night so Jason Brazier is drafted back in.

Visit club websites:

www.hythetownfc.co.uk

www.hernebayfc.net

Hythe Town v Herne Bay
Kent League Cup Semi-Final First Leg
Tuesday 11^th March 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe, Kent