Cray suffered their first home defeat of the season on a frustrating night for Tony Russell’s side as Hythe’s single first half strike was enough to take all three points.

The game started well with both sides creating chances, Danny Haynes set up Brandon Scott who was denied by Hythe keeper Joe Mant, while Alfie May had a well struck free kick tipped over by Nicky Blue at the other end.

Blue caused his own problems with a poor goal kick soon after, but then saved bravely at the feet of Frankie Sawyer.

Hythe pressed Cray and didn’t allow the home side to play out of defence causing them to give the ball away on numerous occasions.

With The Wands on the back foot struggling to find any cohesion with two debutants in the team, Hythe created some good chances May went close again and Burchell hit a long range effort just over.

Cray rallied late in the half with Scott denied by Mant again, before the visitors keeper then saved superbly from Sean Roberts and Haynes who both sent in powerful efforts from outside the box. Lea Dawson headed against the post from a corner, before Hythe struck quickly on the break when Burchell ran down the left and sent in a cross for May who beat Blue on the half volley from ten yards.

The second half saw Cray look far more positive, Jay Leader headed wide from a corner, Bradley Wood-Garness shot wide and Haynes caused the Hythe defence problems with his pace out wide, but it was the visitors who spurned the best chance to extend their lead just before the hour.

May intercepted a loose pass and cut in from the right, but couldn’t beat Blue when one on one and the home defence cleared their lines.

The Wands dominated possession of the ball for most of the half, but Hythe’s defence stood strong and made key blocks and tackles around the edge of the box when required.

Late on Sawyer latched on to a long ball from Mant but the striker was denied by Blue and the home custodian had to be quick to deny the same player soon after on another break.

As Hythe attempted to run the clock down by holding the ball at the corner flag Cray managed to make one final break up field in stoppage time.

Ben Mundele broke down the left before hitting a fierce drive that was deflected into Robert’s path his shot hit the post and then in a frantic scramble Hythe managed to clear the ball away and hold on for the win.

Cray now travel to struggling Godalming on Saturday looking to bounce back from this disappointment and keep touch with the top ten.

 

Cray: Blue, Osifuwa, Sivapathasundaram, Leader, Lorraine (McKinlay 28), Dawson, Roberts, Carpenter (Williams 75), Wood-Garness, Haynes, Scott (Mundele 75).

Subs Not Used: Taiwo, McDonnagh.

Hythe: Mant, Russo, Burchell, Johnson, Cloke (Saunders 45), Reeves, Cook, Webster, Sawyer, A May, Pogue.

Subs Not Used:  Gillett, Jackson, S May, Atkins.

Goal: May 41mins.

Ref: Mr D Sotimirin

HT 0-1 FT 0-1

Att: 155