Hythe Town kept their play-offs alive as they eventually cruised to a 3-0 win at a hot and sunny East Grinstead Town on Saturday afternoon.

However, The Cannons had to overcome a lively, enthusiastic, and young East Grinstead team who caused real problems particularly in the first period. Hythe were to create the first opportunity on five minutes as a Ryan Palmer corner was headed wide by Liam King at the far post.  The Wasps had their first effort two minutes later as a shot from Leo Mazzone was blocked by Hythe keeper, Will Godmon and Ryan Johnson was on hand to clear the ball away. Hythe were ahead on eleven minutes as King got the ball and fed Zak Ansah who neatly curled a shot into the corner of the net.

Despite having fallen behind the Wasps, with their pace, were causing creating chances as after thirteen minutes Alex Gaggin, who was proving a real handful, turned in and forced Godmon to save. Godmon was to clear quickly finding King who ran in rounding East Grinstead keeper Dan Smith but slammed his shot against the upright. There were chances coming at both ends as a Darren Oldaker deep free kick was headed over by Chris Kinnear and then at the other end Michael Wilson played the ball through to Stephane Bombelenga but he looped his effort over the bar. This was followed by Ainsley Everett who worked his way in but shot over. One more chance for the Cannons saw Ansah have a shot deflected away for a corner.

The second half started in the same pattern as first. Hythe’s King pulled the ball back to Kinnear but his attempt was deflected wide and then Gaggin got the ball into Will Hoare but he scooped over. On 52 minutes Hythe took the wind out of the host’s sails as Kieron Campbell tormented Wasps right back Oliver Boulding forcing the defender to bring him down in the penalty area. Up stepped Oldaker who nonchalantly chipped over the diving Boulding and into the net.   East Grinstead did have a chance to narrow the gap as Karn Miller-Neave weaved his way into the penalty area but fired wide.

It was Hythe who then cruised through the rest of the game to ensure the three points. In fact, they were three ahead on 70 minutes as substitute Jerson Dos Santos picked up the ball on the edge of the area and lashed the ball home to put the game out of the host’s reach. Ansah was denied by an interception by Sam Rolph. Shortly after, Salvyn Kisitu crossed into Dos Santos whose attempt was deflected wide and finally a minute into injury time a curling free kick from Oldaker drifted just over the bar.

Hythe took all three points and move up into fifth place. All now depends on the last league game of the season next Saturday at Reachfields against Corinthian-Casuals. Any three from four in the mix could qualify for the play-off positions to join Greenwich Borough who have already secured their place in what is an exciting end to the season.

Team: Will Godmon, Salvyn Kisitu, Charlie Webster, Chris Kinnear, Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Dickenson, Ryan Palmer (Josh Stirman 75 mins), Darren Oldaker, Zak Ansah (Charlie Webster 90 mins), Liam King (Jerson Dos Santos 68 mins), Kieron Campbell.

Scorers: Zak Ansah 11 mins, Darren Oldaker 53 mins (pen), Jerson Dos Santos 70 mins.

Attendance: 110