At half-time, The Cannons looked dead and buried as they found themselves three down but a remarkable second half come-back saw Hythe snatch a point in a 3-3 draw at Ashford United on Saturday afternoon.

It was Hythe who had the best of the early possession creating their first effort after only two minutes as Ryan Palmer had a shot neatly gathered by Ashford keeper, George Kamurasi. Ashford created their first opportunity on twelve minutes as an Andrew Dalhouse went into Hythe keeper, Will Godmon’s arms. Hythe continued to press and a Grant shot did not test Kamurasi. The Ashford keeper, who was recovering from conceding nine goals at Cray on Wednesday evening denied Zak Ansah on 23 minutes as he palmed a shot around the upright for a corner.

Palmer was then to feed the ball into Jerson Dos Santos whose shot was deflected wide. However, as the half progressed the hosts were looking more dangerous as substitute Brandon Williams shot straight at Godmon. On 31 minutes Ashford took the lead as the ball was stolen by Jordan Wright who got the ball over to Brandon Williams who blasted the ball home. Things got worse for the Cannons on 37 minutes as they fell further behind. Another deep cross from Wright this time found Shomari Barnwell whose firm header sailed into the net. Kamurasi was to prevent Hythe getting back into the game as a Dos Santos cross was headed down by Grant but the keeper got down to save well.

As the game moved towards the interval Hythe had three good chances to get back in the game as firstly a Ryan Palmer shot towards the far post cannoned off the cross bar and then a Charlie Webster cross found Kieron Campbell who headed into Kamurasi’s arms. Then on the stroke of half time Campbell got the ball to Ansah whose shot was blocked by Kamurasi. The ball eventually came out to Chris Kinnear who fired over. However, there was time for things to get even worse for Hythe as a cross was converted by George McClennan who hammered the ball home deep in injury time at the end of the half.

There was little to suggest in the early part of the second half that Hythe could get back into the game as Ashford pressed for their fourth without creating any real clear-cut chances. However, Hythe were to create a couple of opportunities as Ben Wilson broke in from the left and forced Kamurasi to push the ball round the post.  The turning point came on 59 minutes as ex Hythe player Pat Kingwell was adjudged to have fouled Grant in the penalty area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Wilson who sent Kamurasi the wrong way narrowing the gap. It was Ashford who looked more likely to extend their lead as they squandered two golden opportunities as McClennan crossed from the left finding Barnwell who headed over from close range and then another cross found Dalhouse who hooked the ball over the bar.

One more chance for the hosts as Wright broke free shooting straight at Godmon but then with nine minutes to go Hythe were awarded a free kick from just outside the area. Palmer placed his free kick perfectly as it sailed into the top corner of net to give the visitors more hope. Hythe were now going all out to find the equaliser that looked unlikely a little earlier with a Jerald Aboagye cross that was headed over by Ansah. The Cannons were not to be denied and when the ball came out to Wilson on the stroke of full-time he unleashed a shot that flew into the net to bring the scores level.

There was no more time for the Cannons to get the winner but there was considerable relief that they came away with a point. They now prepare for their next game at home to South Park next Saturday.

Team: Will Godmon, Charlie Webster, Ben Wilson, Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Dickenson, Chris Kinnear, Ryan Palmer, Zak Ansah, Dean Grant, Jerson Dos Santos (Dave Cook 45 mins), Kieron Campbell (Jerald Aboagye 70 mins).

Scorers: Ashford United-Brandon Williams 31 mins, Shomari Barnwell 37 mins, George McClennan 45 mins. Hythe Town-Ben Wilson 59 (pen) and 90 mins, Ryan Palmer 81 mins.

Attendance: 397