Hythe were eventually well beaten 4-2 by in-form Horsham on a wet Saturday afternoon at Reachfields.

In fact, the visitors were very fast “out of the blocks” as they took the lead after only four minutes. The Hythe defence failed to clear the ball and it came out to Tyrell Richardson-Brown who made no mistake slamming home past Hythe keeper Ryan Nicholls. Hythe’s first effort came four minutes later as the ball came out to Zach Fagan who sliced his attempt wide of the target. However, it was Horsham who were in control as Charlie Harris pulled a shot from the edge of the area wide of the target.  The pressure continued and Horsham were rewarded on twenty minutes as Jack Bravio neatly placed his shot into the corner of the net giving Nicholls no chance.

Hythe, who looked off-colour, continued on the back foot as Harvey Sparkes had a shot from the left deflected wide by Sylvan Kisitu and then on 35 minutes a cross from Richardson-Brown found Rob O’Toole but his header from close range went straight at Nicholls who held on well. Then against the run of play the host narrowed the gap with another piece of Zak Ansah brilliance. Fagan played the ball through to the Cannons leading scorer who struck it over Horsham keeper Josh Pelling and into the back of the net.

There were a couple of efforts from Horsham before the break as firstly Harris scuffed his shot into the arms of Nicholls and then just on the stroke of half-time Bravio had an effort deflected away for a corner. On the balance of the play, Hythe could probably have counted themselves fortunate to only be one goal behind at the interval.

As the rain intensified at the start of the second period, it was Horsham who were first to show as a free-kick from Harris which was flicked wide by Joe Shelley and then Nicholls blocked well from Kieron Lavery. As the half progressed the Cannons began to look brighter. Jack Sammoutis had a shot that drifted well wide and this was followed by a Kieron Campbell effort that he skewed the wrong side of the post. Horsham remained dangerous on the break and Nathan Daly had to be at his best to intercept the ball from O’Toole.  Eventually, however, Hythe found themselves on level terms on 62 minutes as Campbell forced his way in down the right-hand by-line and played the ball into substitute Junior Aikhionbare who made no mistake from close range.

Just as the hosts began to look the more likely they were brought down to earth on 79 minutes as the ball came in from the right and was unluckily deflected into his own net by Daly under pressure from O’Toole. Horsham put the icing on their cake with six minutes remaining on the clock. They were awarded a free kick about 25 yards out. Harris unleashed a rocket shot that went like a tracer bullet into the corner of the net bringing great celebrations from the visiting supporters who were delighted with their well-earned three points.

Hythe drop down to fifth place but have a quick opportunity to get back to winning ways as they entertain Greenwich Borough on Tuesday evening with a 7:45 pm kick off at Reachfields.

Team: Ryan Nicholls, Salvyn Kisitu, Elliott Capel (Junior Aikhionbare 54 mins), Zach Fagan, Nathan Daly, Mitchell Dickenson, Nigel Neita, Charlie Webster, Zak Ansah, Jack Sammoutis, Kieron Campbell.

Scorers: Hythe Town – Zak Ansah 38 mins, Junior Aikhionbare 62 mins. Horsham – Tyrell Richardson-Brown, Jack Brivio 20 mins, Nathan Daly (OG) 79 mins, Charlie Harris 84 mins.

Attendance: 241