If we can get into the play-off's it will be an absolute fantastic season, says Scott Porter

HYTHE TOWN boss Scott Porter says a togetherness both on and off the pitch has helped the club progress into the Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefoodlights.com Final for the second time in twenty years’.



Hythe Town produced another giant-killing act when they embarrassed Dover Athletic 3-0 on the biggest midweek fixture played at Reachfields Stadium, last night.

Winger Taser Hassan and two goals from former Dover Athletic striker James Drydden sealed a deserved victory for the Ryman League Division One South outfit, against a strong Dover Athletic side.

Hythe will do battle against either holders Dartford or League One outfit Charlton Athletic in their second ever Kent Senior Cup Final, having lost 3-1 (after extra time) to Bromley in their first ever Kent Senior Cup Final twenty years’ ago.

The heartbreaking defeat against Bromley back then happens to be Hythe Town’s only defeat in the Kent Senior Cup – this season is only their second in the competition!

Dartford and Charlton Athletic meet at Princes Park on 27 March and Hythe will be relishing their underdog tag, having defeated Ebbsfleet United 4-1 (after extra time) at Stonebridge Road in the quarter-finals and embarrassing Nicky Forster’s stars last night.

Porter revealed the secret behind the club’s success under his leadership.

“Hard work and everyone working together,” he said.  “Twenty-people train every week, every Tuesday or Wednesday, whenever we train. 

“We do things off the pitch, we go away, we spend nights out and we do things together and that’s what I put into this club.  I don’t want individuals at this club.  We’re in it together and that’s exactly what I try to bed into this football club because if you get the dressing room, you get it on the pitch and that’s exactly what we got here.”

Hythe Town slipped down a place to tenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table and welcome third-placed Whitehawk to fortress Reachfields Stadium on Saturday.

The Brighton-based big-spenders arrive in Kent sitting six points adrift of leaders Bognor Regis Town, but with his side ten points adrift of fifth-placed side Worthing, Porter hasn’t ruled out grabbing a play-off spot at the end of their inaugural Ryman League campaign.

Porter said: “Of course, you can’t (give up).  We’re still in it until it’s mathematically impossible we’re going to keep believing we can do it and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

“We’ve got our targets.  We’ve got to the Kent Senior Cup Final and if we can get to the play-off’s it will be an absolute fantastic season.

“Until it’s mathematically impossible, we’re going to keep going.”

Hythe were defeated 1-0 in the away game at Whitehawk back in November and Porter wants his side to replicate last night’s heroic, battling performance, which sent Dover Athletic crashing out of the Kent Senior Cup, which extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

He said: “We owe them one, they beat us down there.  They’re a good side, they’re one of the top sides but the lads will have a few days’ off resting and we’ll come back Saturday and try to do another upset and that’s basically what we try to do all the time.”

Meanwhile, Hythe Town winger, Kane Rice, 22, who played against one of his former club’s last night, revealed in last night’s programme that he does some moonlighting, as well as being a recruitment consultant and semi-professional Ryman League footballer.

When asked who is the most famous person he has met, the former Crystal Palace, VCD Athletic, Dover Athletic, Maidstone United and Horsham winger said, “Christiano Ronaldo.  I have done Nike ads for about four or five years now.  A good friend is the casting agent but loads of non-league lads do it.  I am on the JD Sports website at the moment!”

When asked what brought him to Hythe Town, Rice replied, “I knew (Aaron) Lacy from Maidstone and he talked to me about it.  The journey to Horsham was a problem, especially after work, so I talked to the gaffer (Scott Porter).

“I love it (here) and it helps when we keep winning!  There is a good atmosphere in the dressing room.”

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

Hythe Town  v  Whitehawk
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 3^rd March 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6JS