HYTHE HEROES: We are ready to create history, says Scott Porter

Thursday 21st October 2010

HYTHE TOWN boss Scott Porter has issued a rallying cry to local football supporters to play their part in creating history in the FA Cup on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent League heroes are just ONE WIN away from a potential glamorous tie in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup - and they lock horns with Blue Square Bet South side Staines Town at fortress Reachfields Stadium on Saturday - a side that play three league’s higher than Porter’s troops.

Staines Town have reached the FA Cup First Round Proper on four occasions, in 1879, 1880, 1984 and more recently in 2007, when League Two Stockport County were defeated at Wheatsheaf Park in a penalty shoot out after the score was locked at 1-1 after extra time.

The match was televised live on SKY Television after the first match at Stockport was drawn 1-1.

However, the heights of the first round could not be reached again as Peterborough United came away from Wheatsheaf Park with a 5-0 victory.

Porter, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk is confident the Kent League club can achieve such heights.

This is arguably Hythe’s biggest game for 20 YEARS - and ironically Steve Cordery could be the stumbling block of preventing Hythe achieving something special.

The Staines manager played in the successful Yeading side that beat Hythe in the semi-finals of the FA Vase and went on to clinch the silverware at the old Wembley Stadium.

Saturday is PAY-BACK TIME!

If Hythe produce their sixth and their biggest achievement in their excellent FA Cup run, which has seen them beat Bookham, Deal Town, Epsom & Ewell, Erith & Belvedere and Ryman Premier Leaguers Concord Rangers, then they will become the first Kent League club to reach the First Round Proper in 53 YEARS!

“You’ve really been doing your homework ain’t you,” said Porter, relishing all the media hype over the past couple of weeks.

“The secretary did say that on Tuesday night - but that’s in the past now. This is now and we’re just going to focus.

“It’s an exciting week for us all, we’re still buzzing from the last round and hopefully we’ll carry it on for Saturday.”

A free-kick from skipper Dave Cook stunned Ryman Premier League side Concord Rangers in the last round, and Hythe took Staines’ league rivals Woking to two games in the Second Qualifying Round last season, so confidence is sky high for Saturday’s showdown.

“Why not? Why not? As I’ve said before that’s what the FA Cup is all about,” said Porter.

“No-one expected us to win at Concord and we prepared right, we had them watched and turned up there as professionally as we can and rolled them over so why not do it against Staines?

“We’re at home as well, which is another benefit and hopefully they won’t like coming down to us. The lads’ are confident, we’re all buzzing at the club, the players especially and hopefully if we play to our potential I’m sure we’ll give them a good game.”

Porter insisted he won the mind games ahead of the Cup showdown as he made several changes to his side for last weekend’s 1-0 win over Corinthian in the Kent Senior Trophy - in front of Staines’ scouts.

He said: “I don’t know what they’ll expect when they come down to us. I know they had us watched against Corinthian but I made nine changes and they won’t know a lot about us!

“We’ve got to get into their faces, upset them a little bit and rattle them and do what we do best and produce a fantastic day for the football club.

“It was a good time for the Corinthian game to come around, obviously I had to look at a few fringe players and we knew they would send people down as they contacted the football club so yes, it’s a little bit of mind games and I do believe they left with 20 minutes to go and came away with absolutely nothing. All they would have known was where the football club is!

“It was in my head anyway to play a weakened side and look at a few fringe players as the FA Cup is a massive game for us!”

As well as banking £17,250 in FA prize money (with £12,500 up for grabs in this round), which is a record for any Kent League club, Porter says he is enjoying all the publicity, admitting that his phone hasn’t stopped ringing.

“It gives a good attention to the league we’re in and to everyone in the Kent League we’re flying the flag,” he said.

“We’re just buzzing actually to be honest with you. Everyone at the football club just wants success and we can bring it through the FA Cup and the League is the main thing, but you’ve got to enjoy these days.

“It will be a fantastic day if we do make a bit of history and I don’t think I’ll sleep for many days.”

With Folkestone Invicta not playing and Ashford Town supporters regular visitors to Reachfields Stadium this season, Porter has urged fans to match the passion out on the pitch.

“These days don’t come around often and it would be great if everyone in the local area could turn up and support us as it will help in the long run people shouting on the terraces and it will be a big boost with people coming through the gates,” said the 31-year-old.

Porter added: “I’m sure they’ve got a good side there, they’re not in the Conference South for no reason and we have to match them in every area and hopefully have a little bit of luck.”

When asked how his side will qualify for Sunday’s First Round Draw, Porter replied, “We’ll do what we do best. We get in people’s faces, stop them playing, rattle them and hopefully our quality shows, but they’ve got a lot of quality so it’s going to be difficult.

“If we turn up on the day and play the way I expect them to play we’ll give them a good game and if we get a little bit of luck and cause a little shock and we’ll keep the FA Cup run going.

“You think about it like that we’re one win away from being on the telly and all the media hype and it is a fantastic achievement if we get there. If we get there it would be unbelievable.”

With a crowd nearer to 1,000 expected for the big game, club secretary Martin Giles insists the professionally run Kent League club are ready.

“We do know that we have the manpower to cope with whoever comes and we would just ask people to arrive in good time and not expect to arrive at 2:55pm and walk straight in,” said Mr Giles.

“We are looking forward to entertaining our guests from Staines and around the county football scene and will draw on our previous experiences of similar games.

“With Folkestone Invicta not playing we naturally hope that some of their supporters will fancy the game and we have also invited their directors, who have often come to Reachfields in the past.”

Dare you miss history being made?!?!

Admission prices have been confirmed as £8 (adults) and £5 (concessions).

If the game is drawn after 90 minutes then the replay will take place at Staines Town’s Wheatsheaf Park, Wheatsheaf Lane on Tuesday 26th October (7:45pm).

COME ON HYTHE TOWN! LET’S MAKE IT A VERY SPECIAL DAY FOR KENT LEAGUE FOOTBALL!

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

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

Hythe Town v Staines Town

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Fourth Qualifying Round

Saturday 23rd October 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6JS