Glebe are a hard working team with lots of energy, so we know we will have to be at our best to have a chance of winning, says Larkfield & New Hythe boss Danny Lye

LARKFIELD & NEW Hythe manager Danny Lye says he knows what a good run in The FA Vase can do for a club’s league aspirations.

The Larks are sitting in third-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table, having picked up 20 points from their 10 league games.

Lye’s side are four points behind pacesetters AFC Whyteleafe and Rochester United, who both have a game in hand.

Larkfield & New Hythe reached The FA Vase Third Round in only their second season in it last time out and host Glebe in the First Round tomorrow.

Glebe arrive at New Hythe Lane sitting in second-place in the Premier Division table, having banked 25 points from 12 games, two points behind leaders Faversham Town, whom have a game in hand.

Glebe defeated Larkfield & New Hythe 1-0 to claim the Roy Vinter Charity Shield at the start of this season.

“It’s a great tie and good test to how far we have come since we played them in the SCEFL Charity Shield at the start of the season,” said Lye.

“Both teams are in good form so it should make for a great game.  We are looking to progress as far as we can in this competition.

“The Vase is a special competition. When Micky Phillips and I were at Ashford we had a very good run and got to the Quarter-Final.

“On that journey we played up in Newcastle against Dunston, which was one of my memorable moments in the competition.  Then we finally went out to Steve Claridge's Salisbury in front of 1,791 fans.

“That run was the catalyst for our league win that year so we understand this importance of this cup.

“Glebe are a hard working team with lots of energy, so we know we will have to be at our best to have a chance of winning. They will be a tough opponent but we are a confident squad with players who are used to playing teams in the Prem and Isthmian League.”

Reflecting on his side’s 1-0 win at Premier Division newcomers Lydd Town in the Kent Senior Trophy last weekend, Lye said: “It was a great victory away from home in a hard-working gritty team performance. It showed us we can compete in the league.

“Our aspirations are simple – to get promoted.  To win it would be perfect but the club has been close the past few years but just come up short so hopefully we have put a squad together to not fail this season.”

Larkfield & New Hythe  v  Glebe
The Isuzu FA Vase First Round
Saturday 21 October 2023
Kick Off 3:00pm
at 251a New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, Maidstone, Kent ME20 6PU