Hythe were grateful for a fourth minute penalty to gain all three points in a 1-0 win at home to Ashford United on Saturday afternoon.
It was the Cannons who dominated the first half and created their first opportunity on two minutes as Ryan Palmer sent in a free kick from just outside the penalty area straight into the arms of Ashford keeper, George Kamurasi. However Kamusari was at fault two minutes later as he clipped Hythe debutant Jerson Dos Santos as he broke into the penalty area. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Ryan Johnson who placed his kick neatly into the corner of the net to give Hythe the lead.
The hosts continued to control the game with Dean Grant working his way down the left and unleashing a shot just over the bar. Ashford had to wait until the twelfth minute for their first meaningful effort as Max Watters broke through lobbing the ball over Hythe keeper Will Godmon but also over the bar. Palmer was in the action again as he cut in and shot straight at Kamurasi. At the other end Tyrell Richardson-Brown turned and shot but did not trouble Godmon who held onto the ball easily. Mitchell Chapman was to then run in towards the Ashford penalty area and slammed the ball over the bar. One more chance for Hythe before the interval as Ben Wilson played the ball into Grant who nodded on to Dave Cook who, playing his record 356th appearance for the Cannons, got under the ball and headed over from close range.
The second half started again with Hythe in the ascendancy as Wilson sent in a deep corner to Mitchell Dickenson who headed wide and then on 52 minutes the same combination saw Wilson cross to Dickenson who buried his header into the net but the goal was ruled out for an infringement that the referee had seen. Ashford had their first attack of the half on 53 minutes as Matthew Day broke through the offside trap but screwed his effort wide. The hosts however were still creating the majority of the chances as Wilson got the ball onto Grant who fed Dos Santos whose attempt went just wide. With Hythe continuing to press Jordan Johnson-Palmer created the next opportunity passing to Palmer whose final shot lacked power and did not threaten. Ashford were creating the odd scare at the other end as Brendon Williams got the ball over to Connor Westley whose effort was well saved by Godmon.
Hythe were continuing to have the lion’s share of the play as Dos Santos passed the ball out to Wilson whose shot was saved by Kumurasi who was on hand again two minutes later as Jerald Aboagye pulled the ball back to Grant who forced a good save from the Ashford keeper. Dos Santos was proving a thorn in Ashford’s side as he closed in down the by-line getting the ball into Aboagye who fired wide. On 73 minutes Kumurasi tipped over a curling free kick from Dos Santos.
Despite dominating proceedings the home support were becoming concerned that there may be a sucker punch from the visitors as Ben Davisson screwed a shot wide and then ex Hythe favourite Pat Kingwell pulled the ball back and unleashed a shot that shaved the right hand post. This was followed by a Richardson-Brown attempt that curled the ball high over the bar.
Hythe were to hold onto their lead and take all three points. They take a break from league action on Tuesday as they visit Faversham Town on Tuesday evening in the Velocity Trophy.
Team: Will Godmon, Jerald Aboagye, Ben Wilson, Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Dickenson, Mitchell Chapman, Dave Cook, Jordan Johnson-Palmer, Dean Grant (Sid Sollis 75 mins), Jerson Dos Santos (Kieron Campbell 89 mins), Ryan Palmer (Ashley Miller 68 mins).
Scorer: Hythe Town-Ryan Johnson 4 mins (pen)
Attendance: 351