Lordswood boss Jason Lillis aiming to cause Cup shock over shining lights Hythe Town

Friday 29th October 2010

FA CUP heroes Hythe Town travel to Martyn Grove this weekend for the first leg of their Kent League Cup tie with Lordswood just seven days before their historic trip to Hereford United - But Lords boss Jason Lillis is determined that Edgar Street will be the furthest thing from the Hythe players minds come 2:00pm on Saturday afternoon, writes Mike Green.

Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after training on Thursday night, Lillis started by heaping deserved praise on Scott Porter and his Hythe players.

Lillis said: “For our point of view of course we’d like to congratulate them on what they’ve achieved in the FA Cup, and wish them all the best for Saturday week when they go to Hereford. But obviously we need to do a job this Saturday which obviously means winning the game this weekend.”

Given that his opposite number made eight changes to his “first choice eleven” for the Kent Senior Trophy game with Corinthian (which was two weeks ago – seven days before the magnificent win over Staines Town), Lillis was asked what sort of Hythe side he expected to see.

“Obviously it’s a hard call especially as I don’t know how big a squad Scott’s got at Hythe this year,” he said.

“Obviously Scott knows what sort of side I’m going to put out and obviously we’re quite in your face and that’s the only way we can play – by taking games to teams.

"But obviously he will know that call, so obviously it’s a risk that some managers have to take or not! Don’t get me wrong, I know that Scott’s no idiot and he will know obviously that we’re a side that wants to do well and has to battle for everything that we have as a club not just on the field but off it but obviously they’ve had a great situation and every manger is so envious of Scott and would love to be where he is. Obviously its down to Scott on what side he puts out, but if I were in his shoes, I might be shall we say a bit conservative.”

The game on Saturday is of course just the First leg of this first round tie – a fact that frustrated the Lords boss.

“I just wish it was a one off game especially with their Cup trip the week after and I think they probably would too,” Lillis admitted.

“But obviously we have to a job here first on Saturday and then obviously go to Hythe on the Tuesday night after Hereford. Whatever the result – and I hope from that respect that they get a great result – but obviously we’ve got to do it over two legs as a club and therefore obviously that means a win here on Saturday and then finish it off at their place on the Tuesday.”

Lordswood have been improving slowly since the season began, and the manager was happy to reflect on the progress that his squad is making.

He said: “I think our discipline and our structure week by week is getting better. I’m not saying that this year will be the biggest season that Lordswood have ever had but we’re getting there.

“The players that now want to come and play for the club – we’re now having to turn some players away as we cant guarantee them first team places – but now, obviously we’re looking to strengthen where it matters in the final third, and I’m hoping that we’re going to sign a player before the weekend who hopefully will help us turn it around.”

New signing Rob Denness won't be one of those featuring at the weekend as he’s still serving a three game ban – a fact that his manger ruefully accepted was a big loss to his side!

“We’ve missed Rob whilst he’s been serving his ban – I think that by not having him Saturday was the difference between us and VCD,” said Lillis.

“It was unfortunate that he got a red card in the first place in the Vase (against Three Bridges) but I think if he’d been there, we’d have taken one of the chances we created to get what we needed – a point or a win!”

Saturday also marks the official launch of Lordswood’s appeal to raise a total of between £3,000 and £4,000 to purchase a new generator to replace the old one that broke down irreparably last month.

The club has received a magnificent start to the appeal with local Councillors Alan Jarrett (who is also the deputy leader of Medway Council) and David Wildey pledging a donation of £1,500 towards the project.

Both Councillors will be at the game as guests of the club, to present to Paul Caulfield (vice-chairman) the donation in the form of a large cheque with the presentation will take place at half time

The club is also using next Saturday to confirm our full support to the Council in their bid to achieve City Status in 2012 and we're hoping that the Council presentation team may also be in attendance.

Lordswood remind supporters that because of the floodlight problems this game will kick off at 2pm.

Visit Lordswood’s website: www.lordswoodfc.co.uk

Lordswood v Hythe Town

Safety Net Associates Kent League Cup First Round First Leg

Saturday 30th October 2010

Kick Off 2:00pm

At Martyn Grove, North Dane Way, Walderslade, Kent ME5 8YE