After an even first half the Cannons steam rollered Horndean in the second half as they ran out comfortable 4-0 winners on Saturday afternoon.

Manager, Steve Watt brought back a number of the first regulars to change the team that played against Ashford United in the Velocity Trophy on Tuesday evening.

Hythe were kicking up the steep slope in the first half but did create the first opportunity after two minutes as a deep cross from Jack Steventon found Lex Allan who headed over.

Then on nine minutes Horndean created their first effort as Zachery Willett picked up the ball on the left-hand side but sent his final shot high over the bar. At the other end as Steventon headed over from a Collin cross.  

As the half progressed the hosts were looking dangerous playing down the slope but weren’t really creating many opportunities as the Hythe defence stood strong including an excellent challenge by Steventon.

Against the run of play at this stage it was a shot from Jake Embery halfway through the first half that was saved well by home keeper Cameron Scott. Willett did cause some concern for the visitors as he got in a shooting position but the Hythe back-four blocked and the chance was gone.

On the stroke of half time Cade Dyer stole the ball from Kane Phillip but his final attempt was well saved by away keeper Steve Phillips ensuring both sides were level at the break.

With one change at the break as Kai Garnde replaced the injured Lex Allan, it was Hythe who made full use of the slope as they were ahead on 49 minutes. Embery picked up the ball on the left-hand side and skilfully side footed home past Scott to making it 1-0. A minute later he was in the same position but sent this effort wide.

However, the Cannons were not to be denied as after 57 minutes Ethan Smith stole the ball and surged through the middle beating off a couple of challenges to slot the ball home to increase Hythe’s lead.  

The visitors were now in full control as they got a third on 62 minutes as Johan Caney-Bryan was on hand to stoke the ball home for his first league goal of the season to add to his six in cup competitions.

On 64 minutes the only nasty incident in the game as a reckless challenge from Jordan Pile on Ethan Smith saw the home midfielder deservedly sent for an early bath. It was substitute Kai Garande who put the icing on the Cannons cake as on 79 minutes he sent a shot from the left hand side into far corner of the net to make it 4-0.

With only four minutes of the game to go Phillips was to deny the hosts any consolation as he saved at full stretch from an attempt from Samuel Hook. It was an excellent away performance from Hythe as the climb up the table and sets them up for the home Kent Senior Cup tie against Sittingbourne on Tuesday night.

Team: Steve Phillips, Kane Phillip (Charles Noyelle 89 mins), Bradley Schafer, Jack Steventon, Liam Smith, Lex Allan (Kai Garande 45 mins), Ethan Barnes, Johan Caney-Bryan, Frannie Collin, Jake Embery (Jarred Trespaderne 79 mins). Subs unused: Sam Flisher, Josh Stirman.

Goal Scorers: Hythe Town: Jake Embery 49 mins, Ethan Smith 57 mins, Jordan Caney-Bryan 62 mins, Kai Garande 79 mins.

Attendance: 205