The Cannons supporters who travelled to Herne Bay were left scratching their heads wondering what has gone wrong as Hythe went down 3-1 at bottom of the table Herne Bay on Saturday afternoon.
Hythe did start off the livelier and had two free kicks in the first ten minutes as firstly Jack Sammoutis sent the ball into the penalty area but it was cleared away and then Zak Ansah placed his attempt wide of the target. However, the visitors were to fall behind on 17 minutes as Danny Leonard sent a shot from the right-hand side which was blocked by Hythe keeper Henry Newcombe who parried but the ball came back to Leonard who fired home. This seemed to fire the hosts with confidence and they pressed to increase their advantage. A dangerous cross from Tom Carlton failed to find a home attacker to convert and then Newcombe saved well from an attempt by Bay skipper Bradley Schaffer.
The home pressure continued as Simon Kambamba side footed the ball over the bar. Hythe had their first attempt on target as a cross from Sammoutis was met by Junior Aikhionbare who headed into the arms of Bay keeper Simon Overland. Hythe were then probably in their brightest period of the game as Chris Kinnear fired wide and then the ever-busy Charlie Webster played the ball onto Sammoutis who lifted it over the bar. One more opportunity for the Cannons as Kieron Campbell under pressure sent a long ball onto Aikhionbare who passed to Ansah but the Cannons leading scorers sent the ball just the wrong side of the post.
The second half started off badly for Hythe as they fell two behind on 49 minutes as Nathan Wood placed the ball under Newcombe and into the net. Again Hythe, who looked “punch drunk”, continued to come under pressure. Carlton was to turn in and hook the ball over the bar. In between the Bay pressure Kinnear did have an effort from long range but that went wide. However, things were to get even worse for the Cannons as they went three down on 65 minutes. This time it was a moment of genius from Jake Embury that sealed the three points as he picked up a loose ball and in space sent in a swerving shot that gave Newcombe no chance.
The Cannons did start to look for some consolation as Aikhionbare played the ball into Ansah but he scooped it over the bar and then Campbell worked his way into the area and tested Overland for the first time who blocked well. Kabamba did have a chance to pile the agony on Hythe as he worked his way in but sent his final attempt wide. Two chances fell to Hythe in the dying minutes as an attempt from Ansah shaved the outside of the post and then he played the ball through to Ryan Palmer whose effort also went wide. Deep into injury time Hythe finally got on the scoresheet as substitute Nigel Neita played the ball across to Kinnear who shot home from the middle of the penalty area but as in the last game at Whyteleafe it was far too little too late as Bay claimed their first home points of the season.
The Cannons, who looked very disjointed through out the game must now look what changes need to be made to ensure they return to winning ways as soon as possible. With four defeats now on the spin as Hythe remain in seventh place. They must up their game before the vital league fixture next Saturday (29th December 2018) at Reachfields against Whitstable Town.
Team: Henry Newcombe, Nathan Daly (Ryan Palmer 63 mins), Elliot Capel, Chris Kinnear, Zach Fagan (Salvyn Kisitu 72 mins), Mitchell Dickenson, Charlie Webster, Junior Aikhionbare (Nigel Neita 75 mins), Zak Ansah, Jack Sammoutis, Kieron Campbell.
Scorers: Herne Bay – Danny Leonard 17 mins, Nathan Wood 49 mins, Jake Embery 65 mins. Hythe Town – Chris Kinnear 90 mins.
Attendance: 251