Kentish Football 
Hythe's 27-goal striker pens 18-month contract - EXCLUSIVE
The former Dover Athletic striker has been creating plenty of interest in the Kent League this season – with 27 goals to his name and penned a new contract just before Christmas.
And Hythe Town boss Paul Fisk, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, is pleased to keep the hot property at Reachfields Stadium.
“He’s got 27 goals so we’re just pleased that the club are keeping our best players,” he said.“He’s happy enough to stay for another year, all round it’s a good situation for us.
“We’ve had tentative enquiries, nothing sort of concrete from our point of view.”
Fisk has also signed a trio of players from Kent County League outfit Bromley Green, with Dave Cook (central midfielder), Pat Kingwell (central defender or striker) and Marcus Hodges (striker) showing ambition and stepping up a division.
“The three of them have taken the opportunity of playing at a higher level, which is pleasing for us and we’re hoping they’ll add to the squad and crack it in the Kent League,” said a delighted Fisk.Unfortunately for Cook, he is sidelined for the next six weeks with a foot injury.
With his side in fourth place in the Kent League table, with 28 points from 13 games, Fisk takes his side to league leaders VCD Athletic on Saturday.
“We’ve been going along quite nicely so we’re looking forward to a hard game at VCD Athletic,” said Fisk.
“I think games in hand won’t count unless you win them – I’d rather have the points.
“VCD are probably one of the favourites (to win the league) at the start of the season and are now showing the sort of form that people would expect from them.
“They’re a dangerous side, full of good players and they’ve got six or seven straight wins – that in itself speaks for itself.”
And the always modest Fisk added: “We’re confident of going there and giving them a good game. I’m not saying we’re confident of taking three points but we’re looking forward to it and confident that we can give them a good game.”
Fisk, however, warned that none of the leading lights can take teams towards the bottom of the table lightly, with some shock results already this season.
“I think the Kent League is really tight this year,” admitted Fisk. “You can go all the way down the table and sides can beat each other.“I don’t think there is too many easy games at all. You’ve got lots of sides that are picking up new managers and new players down the league.
“The standard all the way down is really good as we found when we played Slade Green – and lost.
“That just proves anyone can beat anyone. You can’t take anything for granted.”
Fisk explained that players are dropping down from the Ryman League into the Kent League, players like Barry Gardner, who was playing in the Ryman Premier League for Bromley only last season, but has dropped down to Tunbridge Wells under their manager Mike Robbins, whose brought a lot of former Ashford Town players to Culverden Stadium.
“There seems to be a lot more better players dropping down into all the leagues,” explained Fisk.
“A lot of Ryman players are playing in the Kent League – may be it’s the money or they’re not getting a game (with Ryman League clubs)?“I think it’s good, the standard of the (Kent) League goes up and this year is probably the toughest season.”
But Hythe Town are a club that will be able to make the step up into the Ryman League Division One South if they clinch promotion.
“We’re looking to get out of the (Kent) League if possible, whether it’s this year or the year after,” said Fisk.“Everybody is looking to get out of the league. We want to get out of it, but it’s not easy.”
Fisk, however, complained about his side’s trip to Beckenham Town for a Kent League Cup Group D tie.
“We’re going to Beckenham next Tuesday to play a game, which is not going to have any effect on the group,” he bemoaned.“We’re top, they’re second but we have to get there for a 7:30pm kick off – it’s a pretty meaningless game.”
Fisk revealed that he will selected some fringe players for the game at Eden Park Avenue and to “try a few different things”.
But with his side in the last eight, Fisk is looking for progression in a competition which no-one enjoys before the quarter-finals – the knock-out stages.
He added: “Obviously now we’ve qualified, I am a fan. I don’t know if there’s a different way of doing it. When teams get half-way through the competition some of the games don’t mean anything.
Visit club websites:
www.vcd-athletic.co.uk
www.hythetownfc.co.uk
VCD Athletic v Hythe Town
Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 5th January 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd