Hythe manager Steve Watt is well aware of the threat posed by Isthmian South East new boys Erith & Belvedere.

Watt’s side travel to Park View Road to face the Southern Counties East champions this Saturday (3pm).

The Deres may be new to the division but there’s nothing wet behind the ears about them.

“They’ve come up and they’re a good side,” said Watt, whose team won 4-2 at Chertsey in the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round at the weekend.

“They’re another club who’ve spent a lot of money and put a good team together.

“The days of newly-promoted teams coming up and being expected to struggle or take a bit of time to find their feet have gone.

“These teams are very well backed coming into our league, with a ready-made South East side, so the likes of Erith & Belvedere are very tough opposition.

“We know their strengths and we’ve got to go there and try and be ourselves and win the game.”

Watt faces old pal Jamie Coyle for the first time since last season’s play-off semi-finals, when Hythe beat his Ramsgate side on penalties.

Coyle stood down as manager after that game, joining Erith & Belvedere as player-assistant under Matt Longhurst.

The former Hythe defender is still turning out at 40.

“Coyley’s always kept himself in tremendous shape,” said Watt. “It’s no coincidence that he’s still playing and to a very high level.

“It’s like having another manager on the pitch for them.

“Knowing him, he’ll play until he feels he can’t any more and I can’t see that coming any time soon.”

Frannie Collin’s penalty and goals from Ethan Smith, Kane Phillip and Jack Steventon put Hythe in charge at 10-man Chertsey last Saturday.

Chertsey scored twice in the last 10 minutes but the visitors were comfortable winners and will travel to Concord in the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round on October 7.

“We were very comfortable,” said Watt.

“The sending-off before the penalty helped but, as we all know, it’s never easy beating 10 men.

“We’ve ended up being 4-0 up after half-time and we’re in cruise control after that.

“I was disappointed to concede two late goals but it’s one of those where the game’s done and the boys are trying to see it through in second gear.”

Phillip, who recently rejoined Hythe from Phoenix Sports, was among the visitors' top performers.

His goal capped an impressive display at wing-back.

“He had a really good game,” said Watt. “He put some great deliveries into the box and he got his goal.

“He tired towards the end, where he hasn’t played much in recent weeks, but I was really pleased with him.

“He’s naturally a winger and he gives you that attacking threat playing wing-back but he knows he has to do the defensive side as well.

“To play in my team, you’ve got to defend. If you’re not going to do the ugly side of the game, you might find you’re not playing.

“That’s why it was a good fit getting Kane back because he knows me and knows what I expect.”