Whitstable Town striker Craig Thompson is relishing the prospect of returning to his old stomping ground at Hythe on Saturday.

The Oystermen take on Thompson’s former club in the FA Trophy second qualifying round and revisiting Reachfields will bring back some happy memories for the 28-year-old, who moved to Belmont early in October.

He said: “I was at Hythe for four seasons and I had a good time there. We had a lot of success, winning the Kent League, the Kent Senior Cup and getting to the FA Cup first round and it was a difficult decision to leave.

“But I wasn’t getting the sort of playing time I wanted in the last year or so and decided it was time for a change.”

And Thompson is already feeling happier about his football after making five appearances for the Oystermen so far, saying: “It’s nice to be playing 90 minutes every week rather than just 10 minutes here and 20 minutes there like I was at Hythe at the end. It also means I am getting fitter.”

Thompson’s final appearance for Hythe was, ironically, in the their 1-0 Robert Dyas League Cup victory at Whitstable on September 29 but he missed the 1-1 league draw at Reachfields in August through injury.

He said: “I would love to go down there and get a win on Saturday but we know how hard Hythe will make it for us and I will settle for a draw and a replay!”

Manager Nicky Southall has a full squad to select from apart from Scott Heard, who starts a three-match suspension, and it could mean another chance for Oliver Brown, who impressed in Tuesday's 1-1 home draw with Horsham after being promoted from the under-21 side.