Fisk tells his table-topping side to cope with the pressure

HYTHE TOWN boss Paul Fisk admits striker Scott Bouvier, 19, has been signed to replace the injured Michael Smissen, writes Stephen McCartney.

Smissen, who netted a remarkable 47 goals last season and has already netted six so far this term, has been ruled out for the “foreseeable future” as he waits for his knee operation.

Bouvier has been snapped up from Ryman League Division One South neighbours Ashford Town, where he was prolific in Ernie Batten’s second string.

“Buster Smissen is out really for the foreseeable future, he’s waiting to have a knee operation so he won’t be available,” Fisk told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“We’ve signed Scott, he was top scorer in Kent League Division Two (last season) and we’re hopeful he will get a few goals for us.

“Ashford have a big squad so we’re quite pleased he’s come down to have a go at us. He’s only young and we’re hopeful he’ll get a few goals for us.”

Bouvier, formerly with Dover Athletic, opened his Hythe account with a goal in last week’s 4-2 win at Sporting Bengal United, which sealed a place in the last eight of the Bulmers Cider Kent League Cup, having thumped the east Londoners 10-1 at home in the first leg.

It’s a big weekend in the Bulmers Cider Kent League. League leaders Hythe travel to second placed side Holmesdale, whilst third placed side Tunbridge Wells - who are only two points behind - travel to perennial whipping boys, Sporting Bengal United.

Fisk takes his side to Oakley Road on Saturday with the knowledge that his side lost there on their last visit - going down 2-1 in the Kent Senior Trophy four weeks ago.

“We lost to Holmesdale in the Kent Senior Trophy, we know how difficult it’s going to be for us and they’re probably one of the best sides we’ve played this season,” said Fisk.

“I know there’s plenty of good sides in the Kent League. Tunbridge Wells being one of them, Holmesdale another.”

Hythe are currently five games unbeaten and Fisk knows all that counts for nothing if they fall short when it comes to the major honours at the end of the season.

“We’ve had a good run, especially league wise, since the start of the season,” said Fisk.

“We couldn’t really be much happier with the way things have gone with a few good results. We’ve picked up some good points really.

“We didn’t handle the pressure well last year when we got to the top so I think because it’s early in the season there’s not so much pressure as being top with ten games to go.

“We’ve yet to find out if we can handle the pressure. It will build up as long as we’re in contention really.”

Fisk knows Holmesdale will want to bounce back following their 1-0 defeat at Tunbridge Wells last night, a result that puts Mike Robbins’ men back on course.

And fourth-placed side Erith & Belvedere, who have only played eight league games and have games in hand over all of the top three clubs, cannot be ruled out - the Deres are seven points adrift of Hythe.

“They’ll be looking to beat us,” Fisk said of Holmesdale. “Especially as they beat us and we did find it difficult there.

“I don’t think anyone would say they’re favourites for the game, either of us. Hopefully it will be a good game of football and we’ll get something out of it.”

The club put in plenty of hard graft to meet Ryman League ground grading requirements towards the end of last season, but the club had to settle for fourth place - 13 points behind promoted side Thamesmead Town.

“The club’s aims are realistic,” said Fisk. “There’s no pressure. We’re not saying we’ve got to go up or anything.

“We’ve made the improvements last year as we found ourselves in a position where we thought we might go up and we didn’t handle the pressure.

“There’s no pressure from the chairman. The finances at the club are not as good as some and if we were to look to go up that would have to be looked at. We still feel new to being up there.”

Speaking about his injury problems for the table-topping clash, Fisk revealed: “We’ve got a few injury problems at the moment. Goalkeeper Paul Hyde hasn’t played for a couple of weeks, he’s got a thigh strain, which doesn’t seem to be getting too much better.

“Lee Winfield hasn’t played for a couple of weeks (because of an ankle problem), so we hope he will be fit. Sam Marsh, our centre back, he should be back, I would hope.”

Visit Holmesdale’s website: www.holmesdalefc.co.uk

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

Holmesdale v Hythe Town
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 8^th November 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ