Second half goals from Craig Thompson and Sam Conlon ensured that ten- man Hythe Town progressed into the next round of the FA Cup at the expense of Lordswood.
After the two teams drew on Saturday in North Kent both squads descended on Reachfields in the hope of reaching the second qualifying round of world football’s oldest knockout competition.
Hythe boss Tom Dixon made no changes from the team which scored a last minute equalizer at Martyn Grove on Saturday and his competitor in the opposite dugout Tom Lillis made two changes from the 2-2 draw, Sam Hallet came in for Jack Crump and Steve Hafner took the place of Gary Cook.
Lordswood had the first opportunity of the game within two minutes but after a free kick from the left wing had been put back into the box from Peter Huggens towards the head of Ross Webb but the midfielder forced his header to be tipped over by Dan Eason.
After the early shock of nearly going behind Hythe came forward and had an opportunity of their own, from a pass into the feet of Michael Yianni the midfielder was able to turn around his marker before sliding a low shot off target. The host’s attacking pressure continued and after some quick passing on the left wing Jack Sullivan was able to pull the ball back to Craig Thompson but the powerful attacker placed his shot wide.
Despite the positive attacking football which was shown from both sides, the game took a turn for the worse when Lordswood’s Charlie Smith seemed to kick out at Lawrence Harvey, however, to the host’s dismay, this was not noticed by the referee which led to a series of bad tackles from both teams resulting in two yellow cards.
Hythe’s dominance in possession continued and this resulted in a number of chances before half time, from a free kick on the left wing Lawrence Harvey’s powerful header was pushed over by Matt Byott before Lordswood had their final chance of the half after John Walker’s clearance fell perfectly to Adam Hooper but the full- back’s volley was easily saved by Eason.
Hythe showed their intent for the second half within their opening attack when Craig Thompson hit a powerful shot which was well held by Mat Byott before the goalkeeper was able to see James Morrish’s hopeful volley over the crossbar.
The hosts continued to attack and they had the best chance of the game after a weaving run from Jack Sullivan the defender was able to direct a perfect cross to Sam Conlon but the ex- Ashford United striker saw his header scooped off the line by Joe Kane.
With a big reward as an incentive and time running out both team began to get more desperate and Hythe’s task was made harder after Josh Burchell was controversially sent off for a late sliding challenge on Ross Webb concluded in the winger receiving a red card.
Despite being one man down, the decision seemed to inspire Hythe and eight minutes later they were able to score the first goal of the game; a long ball from Jamie Collado in defence bounced over the Lordswood defence into the path of Craig Thompson who beat the offside trap and lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper to give his team a late lead.
After Hythe were forced into making substitutions due to injuries to Craig Cloke and Craig Thompson Tim Dixon’s ten men pushed forward to look for a second goal and it came after Thompson was taken off after an injury to his back. Hythe needed to confirm the win and prevent extra time if they could and thanks to Sam Conlon they were able to score a second goal to confirm their place in the next round; Conlon made a powerful run down the right wing before cutting inside and placing a perfect shot around Matt Byott to confirm Hythe’s place in the second qualifying round.
In Sunday’s FA Cup draw the winner of the game would play against the winner of another replay between Whitstable and Walton Casuals which the Kent side was able to win. The game will be played at Hythe’s Reachfields on Saturday 14th of September.
The cannons now look to improve their league position at 11th placed Carshalton Athletic. Lordswood are now able to ocus on the Southern Counties East League and they will face Erith Town at home on Saturday.
Hythe Town: Eason, Sullivan, Pleau, Yianni, Cloke (Collado), Harvey, Walker (Stevenson), Morrish, Thompson (Wells), Conlon, Burchell
Subs not used: Pilcher, Nyaruwa, White
Booked: Morrish
Sent off: Burchell
Lordswood: Byott, Englefield (Radland), Hooper, Wells, Kane, Huggens, Hafner, Webb, Smith, Maguire, Hallett (Wooldridge)
Subs not used: Hooker, Munn, Box, Lillis, Restell
Booked: Webb
Attendance: 194