by Kevin Redsull

Hythe Town can move another step nearer the Ryman League, Division 1 South play-off places with victory at Chipstead on Saturday.

Scott Porter’s side beat Maidstone 1-0 last weekend and three points against Chipstead would see Hythe them move above their Surrey opponents into seventh place.

Porter (pictured) said: "I said before the Maidstone game that these two matches could set up our season and we’ve got over the first hurdle.

"But Saturday is maybe an even tougher hurdle because it’s away and Chipstead are a well- organised side.

"But the boys are buzzing at the moment. Their confidence is high and if we can keep catching the teams above us, then who knows what’s going to happen?"

Porter’s delight with the 1-0 victory over fifth-placed Maidstone was understandable considering Hythe played most of the match with 10 men after skipper Dave Cook was sent-off with just 13 minutes played.

The game attracted Hythe’s biggest gate of the season at Reachfields, 548, much to Porter’s delight.

He said: "Although Maidstone brought quite a few with them, I reckon 300-350 of those people were our supporters and that’s great for a small town like Hythe.

"There’s a real buzz about the place now."

Porter’s preparations for the Chipstead game have been eased after another injury-free week for his squad.