The Cannons came from behind with two second half goals to steal all three points against lively Herne Bay on a cold evening at Reachfields on Tuesday.

Hythe, who were without Michael Turner, had made two temporary signings before the game with Henry Arnold and Darren Oidaker joining on loan from Gillingham. The hosts were the first to show as Ryan Palmer put in a dangerous cross in the very first minute but Jerson Dos Santos couldn’t quite reach the ball to divert it towards goal. Herne Bay were to have their first effort on two minutes as Thomas Carlton had a shot that went wide of the target. This was followed by a driving run from Palmer that ended with the Hythe winger sending a shot that was deflected wide for a corner. The Bay were to take the lead on six minutes as Jake Embery stole the ball from Arnold and ran through to send his shot past Hythe keeper Will Godmon and into the net.

It was now the visitors who were looking the more likely to increase their lead as they piled the pressure on the Hythe defence. Connor Wilkins crossed to Embery but he side-footed wide and then Richard Ismail also sent the ball the other side of the post. The chances were coming thick and fast as Carlton hit a long range shot again wide of the target. On 33 minutes it took some strong defending from Godmon and Arnold as they blocked an effort from Junior Aikhionbare who had got on the end of a cross from Carlton. Slowly, Hythe were getting more into the game as Charlie Webster delivered a cross that was headed by Dos Santos into the arms of Bay keeper Ben Hunter. A similar effort at the other end saw Carlton cross to Aikhionbare whose shot was held by Godmon. A similar move by the same players with the same result came three minutes later.

Hythe were creating chances of their own as a back heal from Dos Santos played in Palmer but his shot went wide. On 41 minutes Zak Ansah fired over from a tight angle and then controversy struck as Campbell appeared to be brought down in the penalty area but the appeals were turned down. On the balance of play Herne Bay could have been further ahead but they had to settle for a one goal lead at half time.

The early exchanges in the second half were even with Bay getting the first opportunity a minute into the half as the ever-dangerous Bradley Schafer fired a shot across the face of the goal and away for a goal kick and then at the other end Oldaker forced a save from Hunter. The Bay had a golden opportunity on 51 minutes as a cross from Jack Steventon was met by Embery but he screwed his attempt wide from close range. A superb pin point through ball from the impressive Oldaker got through to Ansah but he couldn’t quite get enough control to make a meaningful effort. Palmer put in another cross that this time was headed wide by Dos Santos but his next effort on 58 minutes went deep to the far post and Campbell was on hand to force the ball over the line and bring the scores level.

The following passage of play saw the pressure for a winner come from the Bay as Steventon headed a cross from Schafer that was easy for Godmon to collect and then they got the ball in the net. Carlton curled the ball into the far corner from the edge of the area. However, the referee had already whistled for an infringement on the edge of the area and a Bay free kick. Bay substitute Miles Cornwell had a shot well blocked by Godmon. However, Hythe were still threatening as Palmer curled a free kick just wide but the Cannons were to get the winner on 78 minutes as Campbell played the ball to Oldaker who threaded the ball through to Ansah with the striker planting the ball past Hunter and into the corner of the net.

Herne Bay didn’t give up and put some pressure on the Hythe defence but they stood strong led well by Ryan Johnson and Mitchell Dickenson. On the break Campbell blasted a dipping drive that was brilliantly tipped over by Hunter and then at the other end Aikhionbare forced a great save from Godmon.

Hythe were to hold on and take all three points in an entertaining game which have gone either way. They now prepare for Saturday’s home game against Shoreham full of confidence.

Hythe Team: Will Godmon, Charlie Webster, Henry Arnold (Mitchell Chapman 65 mins), Chris Kinnear, Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Dickenson, Ryan Palmer, Darren Oldaker, Zak Ansah, Jerson Dos Santos (Callum Phillip 87 mins), Kieron Campbell.

Scorers: Hythe Town – Kieron Campbell 58 mins, Zak Ansah 78 mins. Herne Bay- Jake Embery 6 mins.

Attendance: 182