Vickers boss Ricky Bennett says his side will adapt to wintry conditions

Thursday 11th November 2010

VCD ATHLETIC boss Ricky Bennett says he is expecting some sort of backlash when his side lock horns with Hythe Town on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The two Kent League sides clash at Oakwood for a place in the last 64 of the FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday - and Bennett is looking forward to the Kent derby.

This will be Hythe’s first game since being knocked out of the FA Cup in the First Round away to League Two side Hereford United - in front of 2,217 fans - last Saturday.

When asked whether this was the best time to play Scott Porter’s FA Cup heroes, Bennett, 41, told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “We look at that two ways really. I think after the euphoria, if you like, of their Cup run they’ve had a taste of the big time, if you like, and they want some more of it so it could be a bad time.

“I’m hoping it’s an exciting game, but also we want the right result. We don’t just want to put on a good show, we want to get through to the next round.

“There’s two contrasting styles. We played them once in the first game of the season (winning 3-2) so they may take something from that. We know what they’re about so it bodes well for a good game.

“Hopefully the (wet and windy) weather lets up a little bit and allows it to be a proper football match.”

Hythe became the first Kent League side to reach the first round of the FA Cup for 53 years - and the club relished the national media coverage and the trip to Edgar Street, which saw Hereford United win their first home game of the season with a comfortable 5-1 win.

Bennett said: “I suppose everyone would like that bit of glory, get some good media coverage and play at a decent football ground with big crowds. Obviously everyone would love that.

“It can have its adverse affects as well as they are behind on their league games so that’s to contend with as well.

“If you ask most managers in the league they would want that little bit of glory in the FA Cup.”

As a result of their seven game FA Cup campaign, Hythe have slipped down the Kent League table to ninth place with 13 points from 7 games - 11 points behind Vickers, with four games in hand over Bennett’s young side.

Bennett has told his table-topping side to adapt to deteriorating Kent League playing surfaces if they are to challenge for the title.

He said: “That is something that we said at the start. Our test will be when the winter months come up, especially with the players we’ve got and the way we play.

“Most of the pitches are going to be really hard to play on from now onwards really but hopefully we’ve got enough to get through that part of the season.

“We’ve only got a small squad as it is, which is difficult and there will be one or two that won’t be available unfortunately so we’re going to be tested to the maximum really. I’m more than confident they can do a job for us no question.

When asked that budget constraints was the main reason for his 18-man first team squad, Bennett replied, “Yes, it’s a bit of both really. We haven’t got the financial clout as a few of the other clubs in the league so that tells a story on the amount we can afford to sign. On the other hand you need enough players but you can also have too many.

“We have a nucleus of eighteen (players) but now with our reserve side we’ve got a few good lads in that, that have come along quite a bit this season and some have made the breakthrough into the first team and stayed there and others have got the potential and that’s the way we’re going to go this season.

“Having some good back up from the ressies, who are keen and want to get into our side, is a plus for us really.”

Visit VCD Athletic’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/vcdathleticfc0102/

VCD Athletic v Hythe Town

FA Carlsberg Vase Second Round

Saturday 13th November 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN