A shock result for Hythe ensured that they will continue to fight for a place in the Ryman South whilst Faversham’s title hopes took another knock.
Starting the day just one place above the relegation places, Hythe were in a good run of form, having lost just one game since Boxing Day, scoring seven goals in three matches in the process. Despite this, the Cannons came into the game as favourites to get beaten; Faversham sat in second in the table, just goal difference separated the Lilywhites and leaders Burgess Hill Town.
Hythe manager Tim Dixon made three changes from the side who drew away to Redhill the previous weekend; Josh Burchell came in for Jack Sullivan at left back, Jordan Wells took the place of Sam Conlon and Dave Pilcher was replaced by Louis Sprosen. In comparison, Faversham’s Ray Turner made two changes from his team’s midweek win against Chipstead, John Scarborough took the place of Ashley Brown in defence whilst George Monger came in for Josh Stanford.
Although the two teams were separated by 18 points, it was Hythe who had struck first on eight minutes. From a counter attack Sprosen was able to play a long pass across the pitch to Jordan Wells who, finding himself in plenty of space, was able to control the pass and place a shot across Faversham’s Rob French into the top-left corner.
This early goal only inspired Faversham to push forward, first Dean Grant’s shot from within the penalty area was bravely blocked by John Walker and soon after Dave Botterill saw his glancing header go just wide from a long free kick.
Despite this pressure, Hythe were able to extend their lead after 19 minutes when Faversham’s Rob French came off his line to claim a hopeful long ball from Hythe’s defence. Despite the goalkeeper’s best efforts Shaun Welford was able to reach the ball before his opponent and play the ball back to Craig Thompson. Seeing French away from the goalmouth Thompson hit a brilliant looping effort over the goalkeeper to double Hythe’s lead.
The two goal lead didn’t last for long though, the end of a frantic first half hour came with the visitors getting a goal back through George Monger. After the Lilywhites won a free kick on the left wing, Wayne Wilson’s curling cross was nodded over the goalkeeper by Monger to reduce the visitor’s lead to one.
The final chance of the first half came from another Wilson free kick, this time the ball was carried by the wind towards the top corner where Wilson’s effort was punched off the line by Roddy Hayward meaning Hythe’s single goal lead remained as the team went in for half time.
During half time the rain which was expected to fall earlier in the afternoon began to fall, leaving the pitch heavy as the players came out for the second half.
Faversham began the second half as they had ended the first-in control; in the opening minutes of the half Charley Robertson was able to cut outside onto his right foot before hitting a low shot across Hayward which the Hythe goalkeeper did well to tip wide with his leg.
However, it wasn’t long before Hythe were able to work their way back into the game, after twisting and turning to find space on the right wing, Craig Thompson unleashed an effort which flew into the side netting.
As the game went on the rain turned to snow as the sun dropped beneath the main stand of Reachfields Stadium. This snow got heavier and heavier as the two teams continued to try and play, tough conditions and the decreasing state of the pitch forced both teams to take more risks with the option of quick passes gone. During the final twenty minutes of the game both teams had very few opportunities between them.
Faversham were still looking for their equalising goal, however, and Dean Grant had a chance to score his side’s second goal of the game when he was able to get behind Hythe’s defence but a strong save from Hayward kept the score at 2-1.
The visitors refused to get desperate though, and soon after Grant’s effort his attacking partner, Jack Harris had a chance of his own but, after controlling the ball on a counter attack he was forced to slow down after the ball was brought to a halt by the pitch. When Harris finally had the ball out from under his feet again his shot was well held by Hayward.
With time running out and Faversham continuing to apply pressure, it was Hayward who ensured that Hythe kept all three points when his acrobatic diving save denied Wayne Wilson from scoring a dramatic last minute equalizer.
That game was a huge result for Hythe as they now sit in 17th position in the Ryman Division One South, however, it is only their positive goal difference which is keeping them there; they have 34 points along with four other sides. Now being unbeaten in four games, they await the visit of South Park next weekend.
Faversham remain in 2nd place but are now three points off first placed Burgess Hill Town who also have five games in hand. They are still able to boast, however, to have still scored in every single league game this season. They will now need to prepare for trip to 19th placed Corinthian Casuals as they look to get their promotion push back on track.
Hythe Town: Hayward, Walker, Burchell, Yianni, Stevenson, Harvey, Wells (Philpott), Morrish, Welford, Thompson (Collardo), Sporsen (Pilcher)
Sub not used: Fulcher
Faversham Town: French, Sherlock, Maxted, Wilson, Bourne, Scarborough, Robertson, Botterill (Oliver), Harris, Grant (Tenyue), Monger
Subs not used: Brown, King