Old friends go head-to-head this weekend when Tim Dixon’s Hythe clash with Kent rivals Whitstable in the FA Cup.

Whitstable joint-boss Jim Ward signed Dixon in 1998 when he was Ramsgate manager and Dixon later served as Ward’s assistant at Southwood.

But now Dixon is looking to knock his former mentor out of the competition and lead Hythe into the second qualifying round for the first time since 2011.

He said: "I’ve got a lot of respect for Jim. He gave me a chance at Ramsgate, at the end of my career and we won the league and cup that year. He’s had a lot of success and I’ll give him maximum respect.

"It’s a difficult draw. I’ve seen a couple of the other draws and there’s a few I’d fancy in place of Whitstable but it is what it is and we’ll prepare in the right way.

"We do know their players and their management team but it can be too familiar. We have to allow for certain players and we’ll have to be on our toes for certain situations in the game we think are going to arise."

Whitstable were unbeaten in nine games ahead of their trip to Chipstead on Tuesday, while Dixon’s immediate focus is dragging Hythe clear of the danger zone in Ryman League Division 1 South.

But he said: "This game is massively important. We need to do well in the FA Cup, not just for the financial rewards but also the exposure.

"In the FA Cup, if you get a couple of good draws and a bit of luck, you might meet one of the big boys, which is what it’s all about. We’re no different, but it’s going to be tough against Jim and Danny’s side because they’ve made a flying start."