Fisk: We'll give it our best shot (EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW)

Hythe Town manager Paul Fisk has been given a welcomed boost ahead of tomorrow’s FA Vase fourth round clash against former winners Winchester City, writes Stephen McCartney.

Fisk had several players missing for their 5-2 league defeat at Maidstone United last Saturday, but former Dover Athletic goalkeeper Kevin Readings (illness) and striker Roy Godden (calf) are fit to play and striker Richard Sinden and Lee Winfield have completed their suspensions.  Skipper Ian Hayes plays his second game following his five-week stay down under.In an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk Fisk doesn’t expect his side to get much change from the Wessex League leaders at Reachfields Stadium.

”Obviously we know we are in for a difficult game,” he said.  “Just looking at the league table, they’re top of the league, scored 70 odd and let in less than a goal a game – that tells us it’s going to be a difficult game.

”But then we’ve already won some difficult games in the Vase already.”

Hythe have disappointed many this season and are currently fourth from bottom in the Kentish Observer League table, having just collected 12 points at the half-way stage of the season.

”Our league form has suffered especially in the last month and I’m waiting for this FA Vase game to come around,” he said.

”I think we’ve continued to give it our best efforts in the Kent League but because we’re still in the Vase the players tend to have one eye on this game, which is a distraction from the league.”

With influential skipper Ian Hayes back in the side, following five weeks in Australia, this is just the boost the team needs.

”We were a bit thin on the ground at Maidstone and Ian had to play against them.  He only came back last Thursday and scored a couple of goals and having the captain back is a confidence booster for the rest of the lads.”

With their biggest crowd of the season expected, Fisk hopes his players don’t freeze on the big stage.  “Over the last week the players have been talking about the game.  We are expecting a reasonable crowd and we’re playing a good side.

”You can’t do more than give it our best shot.  Everyone likes playing in the big games really and we’ll enjoy it.  Everybody at the club is looking forward to it – it’s been a long time since the club’s been this far.”

Fisk is confident his side will pick up points in the second half of the season, adding: “We all know our league form has been disappointing.  I would hope the next few games will kick us into life. 

”Our results have been disappointing but we’re a better side than that.  Whatever happens tomorrow the lads know we have to do better in the league – and we will do.”

Hythe Town v Winchester City
FA Vase Fourth Round
Saturday 21^st January 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe