Hythe Town eventually took the initiative with two second-half goals to progress to the next round of the FA Trophy as they beat FC Romania 2-0 at a warm and sunny Reachfields on Saturday afternoon.

The Cannons were first to show as their first effort came on just one minute with Zak Ansah laying the ball off to Kieron Campbell who drove the ball wide. FC Romania were fast to react with a speculative lob by Oliver Cleaver who saw Hythe keeper George Kamurasi off his line but the ball drifted over the bar. The busy Jack Sammoutis was next to threaten as he cut in from the left but his shot was deflected wide.

There followed a period where both sides had attacks without creating any meaningful opportunities. Cleaver was to get into a dangerous position on 20 minutes but his attempt drifted wide. Almost immediately a further opportunity fell to the visitors as a corner from Dumitru Chriac was headed goal bound but Aziz Lyoubi was on the line to clear the ball away.

However, Hythe continued to create the more meaningful chances as Salvyn Kisitu picked up the ball on the right-hand side and forced his way forward but his final shot was blocked away for a corner and then Ansah rattled the crossbar as he got on the end of a ball from Ryan Palmer. At the other end, Kamurasi had to be at his best to save from a long-range effort from Gabriel Ghinea but it was the hosts who continued to press as Junior Aikhionbare played the ball back to Sammoutis who curled his shot wide. Sammoutis was in the action again on 37 minutes as he played a short free-kick into the path of Ansah who blasted over.

Ansah was then to force a great save from FC Romania keeper Adrian Darabant as Hythe’s leading scorer rifled a shot from 25 yards. He was then to turn creator as he fed Aikhionbare who rounded the keeper but was too wide to threaten the away goal.

The second half started with the Romanians picking up a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.  Ghinea looped his effort over the bar creating no threat to the Hythe goal. Finally, on 55 minutes the Cannons took a deserved lead as Aikhionbare had a shot blocked but it came out to Sammoutis who slammed the ball home. The chances were now coming thick and fast for Hythe as Campbell clipped the ball onto Ansah who forced another fine save from Darabant. The keeper was then to deny Ansah again as the striker forced his way into the penalty area. The rebound came to Palmer who fired wide.

Another run from Sammoutis ended with his effort smothered by Darabant. While it was 1-0 there was still a chance that FC Romania could get an equalizer and they came close as a Chriac corner was headed over by Henry Mabassa. However, Hythe sealed the win after 74 minutes as Campbell forced his way through passing to Ansah who clinically slammed the ball home for his eighteenth goal of the season.  With five minutes left on the clock Cleaver drilled a shot straight into the arms of Kamurasi.

There were two more opportunities for the Cannons in the dying minutes as firstly Sammoutis broke through and forced another save from Darabant and then deep into injury time Josh Stirman played the ball into Nigel Neita whose shot was also saved.

The Cannons held out to go through to the 1st Qualifying Round which will be drawn on Monday (at 1 pm). Hythe return to league action next Saturday (20th October 2018) as they visit Three Bridges.

Team: George Kamurasi, Salvyn Kisitu (Jack Negus 88 mins), Aziz Lyoubi, Zach Fagan, Nathan Daly, Mitchell Dickenson, Ryan Palmer (Nigel Neita 66 mins), Jack Sammoutis, Zak Ansah, Junior Aikhionbare (Josh Stirman 73 mins), Kieron Campbell.

 Scorers: Hythe Town – Jack Sammoutis 55 mins, Zak Ansah 74 mins.

 Attendance: 175