Hythe boss Sammy Moore could have a key role to play on the pitch this season.

Moore started the Cannons’ FA Cup extra preliminary round tie at Abbey Rangers on Saturday, setting up the opener in a 2-2 draw.

However, the ex-AFC Wimbledon midfielder sat out the replay as a late strike saw Hythe beaten 3-2 at Reachfields on Tuesday night.

Town start their Isthmian South East campaign at home to Phoenix Sports on Saturday (3pm) and Moore may yet feature again, leaving assistant boss Darren Beale to run things from the dugout.

“Sammy’s always available, whatever club he’s been at,” said Beale.

“I’ve been at some clubs with him where he’s played on a regular basis.

“I think there’s certain games where you need not only his experience on the pitch but the quality on there as well.

“He can control things in certain games and help the players.

“We’ve got a few young players still lacking that bit of experience but hopefully with him on the pitch and the other experienced players around them, it can bring players through.

“That’s the idea. I’ve worked him long enough now that he trusts me on the sidelines and then obviously we’ve got somebody that can add to the leaders we’ve got and manage the game on the pitch as well.

“We’ll see what his fitness is like as the season progresses and see what games we think he’ll be able to help us in against certain sides.

“He’ll be involved as and when we think the decision is the right one. Sammy’s got full trust in me, I’ve got a good idea of his strengths and how he can impact a game.

“That seems to work so it’s quite a nice relationship to have knowing he’s got that trust in me and I know when the right time is to bring him off sometimes.”

Beale anticipates a strong league this season with Hythe looking to make an impact as Moore starts his first full season in charge.

The Cannons, play-off finalists two seasons ago, fell out of contention last season after pitch problems left them with a fixture backlog.

But that’s been addressed by new chairman Matt Smith, with the Hythe benefiting from extensive pitch works.

“It’s a good league,” said Beale.

“I’d hate to call who’s going to win it. I don’t think anyone’s going to run away with it.

“I don’t see it being a two-horse race like last season, I think there’ll be three or four up there challenging for that top spot and the remainder, there’s five or six that should be looking to make the play-offs.

“We’ve got to get a good start, there’s no doubt about that.

“We’ve got some good opening games and we’ve got to make sure we convert those into three points and start racking up a few points as soon as we can.

“After those opening games, there’s games coming thick and fast.

“There’s so many Kent derbies but that’s a good thing as well.

“They’re good games for the players to be involved in.”