by Kevin Redsull

Hythe boss Scott Porter has challenged his side to put themselves in play-off contention by maintaining their winning run in their next two games.

After picking up 10 points from their last four games, Hythe have moved up to eighth place in Ryman Division 1 South, and victories over fifth-placed Maidstone United at Reachfields on Saturday and at seventh-placed Chipstead the following weekend would confirm that Porter’s side really mean business in their first season in the league.

This weekend’s clash with Maidstone seems likely to attract Hythe’s biggest crowd of the season so far at Reachfields and Porter (pictured) believes the big occasion will draw out the best in his players.

He said: "We have got a tough couple of games coming up, but we know that if we can pick up as many points as possible from them it will stand us in very good stead for the final part of the season.

"Saturday is a massive game for us, Maidstone are a big club and everyone thrives on big games. My players certainly do and there’s no reason why we can’t put in another good performance because we are starting to find some consistency now."

Porter has the benefit of having a fully-fit squad available for the Maidstone game as his side go in search of their fourth win in five games.