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Faversham Town manager James Collins admits he hasn’t been surprised by Hythe Town’s recent improved form.
The Cannons claimed three straight clean sheets in December, taking seven points out of a possible nine as they moved up to 15th in Isthmian South East, ahead of Faversham’s New Year’s Day trip to Reachfields.
Since replacing Sam Denly as Hythe boss in early September, former Dover and Maidstone defender Steve Watt has signed a number of his former team-mates, including Jamie Coyle, James Rogers, Tom Wynter and Alex Flisher.
Collins said: “I thought that would happen (Hythe would improve).
“When any new manager comes in, it usually takes a little bit of time.
“But Steve knows a lot of good players and Hythe are a big club in this league, so I think that was to be expected.”
Ex-Faversham goalkeeper Will Godmon is currently Hythe’s No.1, while former Lilywhites midfielder Danny Walder is another to have joined Watt’s new-look team.
But Collins said: “People do the rounds at this level, don’t they?
“There are always a lot of players that are playing against ex-clubs.
“It will be a good game and it will just be nice to get some football in.”
The New Year’s Day fixture will see both teams return to competitive action after a lengthy break.
Faversham, starting the new year in 17th, last played on December 14 when they were beaten 3-1 at Burgess Hill.
They had been due to play host to Herne Bay on Boxing Day but the game was the victim of a late postponement.
When asked how he would prepare his side for their game at Hythe, Collins replied: “We’ve had a chat with the players.
“We got them in early (on Boxing Day). They were in an hour earlier than normal.
“We went through a few things.
“Hythe is a different game and, hopefully, we can get some football in.”
He added: “We didn’t have a match on Saturday, either, and we didn’t have a game on Boxing Day which was a little bit disappointing.
“But these things are out of your control as a manager.
“There are a lot of things that you can control, or impact, but this certainly isn’t one of them.
“You can only do what you can do.”
Last time out, Hythe earned a 2-0 victory against Ramsgate on December 21.
Faversham are at home to Chichester on Saturday.
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