History-making Hythe Town are just over a week away from their biggest game of the season.

The Cannons are through to the FA Trophy Second Round for the first time after beating Ramsgate 3-1 last Tuesday with goals from Ethan Smith, Aaron Barnes and Johan Caney-Bryan.

They’ll face National League South club Tonbridge Angels in a Kent derby at Reachfields on November 18.

Hythe have league business to take care of first - they visit Horndean in Isthmian South East this Saturday (3pm) - but the Trophy tie is generating plenty of excitement.

Cannons boss Steve Watt and his No.2 Alex Flisher played under Angels boss Jay Saunders at Maidstone.

Watt captained the Stones to the Isthmian Premier title and later served as assistant manager to Saunders.

They’ve faced each other in friendlies but this will be their first competitive meeting in opposite dugouts.

“You always want to try and create history for the club,” said Watt.

“We did that last year by reaching the play-off final and we wanted to see what we could do this year.

“We wanted to try and emulate what Sheppey, Ramsgate and Cray Valley have done in the FA Cup but it wasn’t to be, so we focused on the Trophy and it’s nice to get to this stage.

“We’d love to win a couple more games, too.

“I had a funny feeling we’d get Tonbridge and then Jay texted me before I’d heard the draw (and before Hythe had played Ramsgate).

“I went to watch Tonbridge at the weekend and we know we’ll be in for a tough game.

“They’ve got really good players and they’re a very good outfit.

“‘I’m happy it’s at ours, so we can try and lean on the home advantage and make things as difficult as we can.

“Jay is one of the best non-league managers around and it’s always good to go up against people you consider to be the best at what you do.

“I want to test myself against the best and I know the players feel the same. You always want to play against the best.

“We’ll be underdogs but we’re looking forward to it.

“We’ll try and do what we do and get a result.

“We’re going to enjoy it and it will be good to catch up with Jay and Blacky (Lloyd Blackman, coach) and Tom (Parkinson, assistant manager) after the game.”

Hythe’s home game against Herne Bay last Saturday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Reachfields.

Watt said: “There were only two games on in our league and one of them was on 3G, so not many people survived the weather.

“It’s another game we’ll have to fit in on a Tuesday, which isn’t ideal, but it is what it is.”

Hythe lost 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Ashford in the League Cup last night.