Hythe Town got all three points thanks to an early goalkeeping error in a game of two halves as they won 1-0 against high-flying Whyteleafe at Reachfields on Saturday afternoon

Hythe started off at express pace and created their first effort in as little as 18 seconds as Jerson Dos Santos forced Whyteleafe keeper Joe Tupper to push the ball around the post for a corner. Hythe continued to dominate the early exchanges as first Ben Wilson had a shot blocked by Tupper.

Dean Grant following up had his attempt again blocked coming back to Charlie Webster who was also denied by Tupper. However it was an error by Tupper on twelve minutes that gave Hythe the only goal of the game as he fumbled a shot by Jerald Aboagye from the right and the ball crept over the line.

The Cannons continued to look the more likely as Webster played the ball onto Dos Santos who fed the ball to Ryan Palmer but the ball went over the bar from close range. Whyteleafe had to wait until the eighteenth minute for their first threat with Daniel Ajakaiye pulling the ball back from the by-line to Nkori-Venceslas Bola who screwed his shot wide when it looked easier to hit the target.

However Hythe continued to press as Dos Santos had two shots held by Tupper to his left. On 32 minutes Aboagye, who had an excellent game, unleashed a shot that was pushed onto the post and away by Tupper. Dos Santos was to have another shot that went wide before the Leafe created a chance as a corner from Sam Clayton found Olumide Oluwatimilehin who, off balance, shot wide.

The pattern of the game completely changed in the second period. Three minutes in substitute Ambrose Gnahore fed the ball through to Ajakaiye who was dispossessed by Godmon who came off his line quickly. A free kick from 30 yards by Clayton sailed over the bar and then a cross from Oluwatimilehin put the Hythe defence under pressure and they just managed to slice the ball wide. Leafe continued to press looking for the equaliser with Wazir Azeez-Oluwondran driving in a forceful shot that was tipped over by Godmon.

Hythe did not have a clear cut chance in the half until ten minutes from time with Grant breaking down the right and sending in a cross to Dos Santos whose attempt was deflected for a corner.

One more chance for the visitors with Ajakaiye getting ahead of the defence but skewed wide under pressure from the ever dependable Mitchell Dickenson. Substitute, Sid Sollis did have an opportunity to put the game out of Whyeleafe’s grasp as he broke through but his final effort was blasted wide.

Hythe hung on for all three points that takes them up to seventh place giving them confidence as they move in to the next fixture away at Walton Casuals next Saturday.

Team: Will Godmon, Jerald Aboagye, Ben Wilson (Kieron Campbell 45 mins), Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Dickenson, Mitchell Chapman (Jordan Johnson-Palmer 64 mins), Dave Cook, Charlie Webster, Dean Grant, Jerson Dos Santos (Sid Sollis 85 mins), Ryan Palmer.

Scorer: Hythe Town – Jerald Aboagye 12 mins.

Attendance: 212