A late red card from Hythe’s Will Godman was the turning point in the match which ended the Cannons’ hopes of an FA Cup run this year.
Ryan Palmer opened the scoring for the home side with a left footed effort before Gabriel Odunaike levelled the scoring just before half time.
It was the visitors who took the lead with time running out though. After Godman was sent off Josh Uzun scored the resulting penalty before Reyon Dillon put the final nail in Hythe’s coffin in injury time.
Following their 1-1 draw in the original tie a tight game was expected, but it was the visitors who had the upper hand in the opening 15 minutes. Odunaike had the opening chance of the game, but his powerful effort was bravely blocked by Dave Cook.
The early pressure went on, this time down the left wing. Casuals’ Jamie Byatt, who was influential in the visitors’ opening attacks, did well to nutmeg Charlie Webster before forcing a fantastic save from Godman, who did well to dive at full length to his left.
Despite these opportunities, it was Hythe who opened the scoring. Palmer cut into the centre of midfield onto his left foot before hitting a low effort towards the near post. To Danny Bracken’s embarrassment, the ball found a way past the goalkeeper and into the net, giving Hythe the opening goal of the match.
Byatt continued to impress from left back after the Cannons’ goal. He was given space to test Godman one-on-one on two occasions, but missed the target both times as the first half went on.
The visitor’s Mu Maan also had a chance to give his team the equaliser with ten minutes remaining in the half, but after some tricky footwork he was only able to see his effort blocked by Cook yet again.
However, just before half time the Surrey team were able to find their goal. An impressively skilful run down the right wing from Odunaike ended with the winger firing low towards the near post, out of the reach of Godman, levelling the game going into half time.
In a half of very few events, it would have taken something special to take the game away from the overhanging sense of extra time and penalties, but neither team were able to find it for a long time. Godman did well to deny Maan after he was played in by Dillon and Jerson Dos Santos also forced a save from the Hythe ‘keeper.
The hosts had chances for themselves as well, but the best came from Dean Grant after he was found by Jerald Aboagye, however, the striker hit his first time effort wide of the target.
The turning point in the game came in the 83rd minute when, after being let through by a pass from midfield, Dillon was sent through on goal and got past Godman, before being dragged to the ground by the goalkeeper. In the easiest decision he made all game, Referee Nick Bloy gave the ‘keeper a red card and Josh Uzun converted the spot kick.
With three minutes of added time to play, Casuals continued to push on, looking to put the game beyond doubt, and they were able to in the 91st minute. From the edge of the box Dillon was able to hit a shot out of the reach of Hythe’s makeshift goalkeeper Dave Cook, ensuring it is be the visitors who will travel to Middelsex to Face Ashford Town in the next round.
Hythe Town: Godman, Webster, Wilson, Chapman, Dickenson, Johnson-Palmer, Cook, Palmer, Grant, Aboagye, Campbell (May)
Subs not used: Pogue, Miller, Gillett
Corinthian Casuals: Bracken, Daly, Byatt, Strange, Ekim, Cheklit, Odunaike, Maan, Uzun (Smith), Dos Santos (Serbony), Dillon (Brown)
Subs not used: Robertson-Feehi, Robinson, Aghatise, Clarke
Referee: Mr R Bloy
Assistants: Mr Dan-Pye and Mr K Stoneham
Attendance: 278