Hythe Town put up an impressive performance as they lost 1-0 to National League Dover Athletic at Reachfields on Monday evening.
It was the visitors who created the early chances when a trialist curled a free kick just wide after six minutes. Dover continued to press as Jamie Allen turned but his shot was blocked well by Chris Arthur and the ball went away for a corner. Another attack followed as Inih Effione stole the ball from Jack Sammoutis and moved in on Hythe keeper George Kamurasi but sent the final effort wide of the target. Despite the chances coming for Dover, Hythe continued to look impressive playing the ball well in midfield and looking defensively sound.
The chances however were falling at the other end. On 18 minutes Kamurasi saved well from Tobi Sha Silva and then saw a determined run by Allen as he weaved in but his final attempt went wide when it looked easier to hit the target and then a long range shot from another trialist went high over the bar. The impressive Kamurasi tipped the ball over from Effione and then he denied Effione again as he pushed the ball around the post from close range. On 41 minutes Hythe were unlucky not to take the lead as Kieron Campbell picked the ball and unleashed a curling shot that slammed against the upright.
The second period started in a similar pattern to the first as Aziz Lyoubi cleared the ball off the Hythe line from a close range Effione shot and soon after a melee in the Hythe penalty area saw a Kadell Daniel shot blocked and then Sho Silva had his attempt brilliantly saved by Kamurasi. Hythe then created a couple of good chances as Ryan Palmer played the ball into Zak Ansah but his effort was blocked and then Campbell moved onto the ball and struck the ball just wide of the target.
Finally the deadlock was broken on 62 minutes as Dover were awarded a free kick just outside the area and Daniel curled the ball into the corner of the net. Dover could have increased their lead three minutes later as Lou Fazakerly headed the ball into Kamurasi’s arms. The game then had a period of little goal mouth action until ten minutes from time when Kamurasi saved well from a trialist. The Cannons did have one last gasp effort as deep injury time Palmer struck a long range shot that was parried away by the Dover keeper.
It was a great work out for the Cannons and gives great encouragement for the season ahead. Hythe are back in action at Reachfields on Saturday afternoon in another pre-season friendly this time against Bostik Premier Dorking Wanderers with a 3pm kick off.
Team: George Kamurasi, Chris Arthur, Aziz Lyoubi, Chris Kinnear, Mitchell Chapman, Ben Gorham, Ryan Palmer, Junior Aikhionbare, Zak Ansah, Jack Sammoutis, Kieron Campbell. Subs all used: Mitchell Dickenson, Kane Phillip, Salvyn Kisitu, Josh Stirman, James Nurden, Charlie Webster, Marcel Lalas, Charlie Owen.
Scorer: Dover Athletic Kadell Daniel 62 mins.
Attendance: 305