League leaders Cray Valley PM provided tough opposition for the Cannons on Saturday coming out as 2-0 winners despite Hythe’s defiant defending.
Manager Steve Watt made a number of changes with Kane Phillip, Kian Garlinge, Marvin Hamilton, Frannie Collin and Sam Flisher coming in for Josh Wisson, Troy Howard, Bradley Schafer, Kai Garande and Johan Caney-Bryan. Garande and Caney-Bryan were on the bench.
It was the hosts who had the first opportunity in the very first minute as a header from Arthur Lee rattled the crossbar. Then followed a spell where both sides battled hard but both teams failed to create an opening until 19 minutes as the impressive Clement Asiedu put in a dangerous cross that was superbly cleared away by Liam Smith before a Cray striker could get to it. The pressure from the hosts continued as a Danny Waldren header forced Hythe keeper Jack West-Astuti to make a great save.
The Cannons had to wait until the 23rd minute to have their first real attack as Frannie Collin spooned a free kick high over the bar. On the half hour Hythe had another opportunity as a Collin corner caused a scramble in the penalty area but the ball was cleared away. Asiedu was in the action again as he broke in from the left but some great defending from Lex Allan forced the winger to skew his shot wide. The pressure continued as on the stroke of half time a shot by Mohammed Idris Oshilaya that was saved well by West-Astuti.
The Hythe defence had stood up to intense pressure during the first half but on 52 minutes the game got even harder for the Cannons as captain Liam Smith saw red as he was awarded a second yellow card as he brought down a Cray Valley player who had broken free. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but Kyrell Lisbie sent his penalty kick high and wide of the target.
Hythe now had a mountain to climb to even get a point as Cray Valley laid siege. A cross by Calvin Ekpiteta was headed into the arms of West-Astuti. Both Lisbie and Waldren had efforts that went over the bar and Collin was forced to clear off the Hythe line. Ekpiteta sent in a cross which Lisbie should have done better as with the goal gaping he fired wide.
Just as it seemed that the Cannons might hold on, Cray Valley struck. A melee in the 79th minute in the away penalty area saw the ball end up with Waldren who slammed the ball home. Then on 88 minutes the result was sealed as a cross from substitute Lyle Della-Verde was nodded in by Waldren to make it two.
West-Astuti made one save from Lisbie just before the end to save any more damage. Cray Valley now lead the table and look strong contenders for the title. Hythe, meanwhile, remain in eighth place with their play off hopes dented. They now have a “must win” game on Tuesday evening when they entertain Herne Bay with the kick off at Reachfields at 7:45pm.
Team: Jack West-Astuti, Aaron Barnes, Sam Flisher, Jack Steventon, Liam Smith, Lex Allan, Jake Embery (Jarred Trespaderne 71 mins) , Marvin Hamilton, Kane Phillip (Kai Garande 55 mins), Frannie Collin, Kian Garlinge (Johan Caney-Bryan 54 mins). Subs Unused: Josh Stirman, Oscar Webb.
Scorers: Cray Valley PM – Danny Waldren 79 & 88 mins
Cards: Yellow – Liam Smith 27 mins, Lex Allan 58 mins, Sam Flisher 75 mins. Red – Liam Smith 52 mins.
Attendance: 226