Hythe Town manager Paul Fisk has admitted his side showed too much respect to FA Cup opponents Walton and Hersham on Saturday, before they came from a goal down to win 2-1.

The victory means Hythe face a dress rehearsal of their FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie against VCD Athletic this Saturday, as both teams return to Bulmers Cider Kent League action.

“Despite showing Walton too much respect we still managed to match them in the first half,” Fisk explained. “The players began to realise they were just as good as their opponents and from there we kicked on and won the game.”

Centre forward turned defender Pat Kingwell score his fourth goal in as many games, despite his defensive duties, from a corner, but Fisk explained that Kingwell wasn’t originally going up for the set piece.

“Pat was hanging back and it was (coach) Scott Porter who yelled at him to get forward. We proved again on Saturday that our squad is strong enough to cope with a few absentees.”

Fisk expects to have more than a full squad at his disposal against VCD at Oakwood, as Gavin Ransley, Jason Brazier and John Walker all return to the fold.

Following the trip to VCD, Hythe travel to Herne Bay on Tuesday to take on Kent League new boys Norton Sports.