Hythe Town sailed to an impressive 3-0 win thanks to a superb Dean Grant hat trick against Faversham Town on Tuesday evening at Reachfields.

The Cannons started on the attack after just two minutes as Charlie Webster moved in and shot wide. Faversham had their first opportunity on four minutes with former Hythe striker Liam King putting in a dangerous cross to the far post where Hythe keeper Will Godmon prevented Liam King getting in a serious effort.

There were a number of chances coming at both ends as firstly Hythe’s Jerson Dos Santos fed the ball to Webster who worked his way in but his final attempt went straight into the arms of Faversham keeper Simon Overland. This was followed by a Faversham free kick from just outside the area from Danny Walder that dipped just over the bar and then a cross by George Monger was headed well wide by Izzy Adebayo.

As the first half progressed Hythe’s control of the game increased. A Ben Wilson cross was headed over by Ryan Johnson, Kieron Campbell fired wide and Jordan Johnson-Palmer shot over. Grant was beginning to look dangerous as he worked his way into the penalty area only to have his effort deflected wide and then Dos Santos slammed a shot against the upright. The hosts had a golden opportunity on 37 minutes to take the lead as Mark Lovell brought down Dos Santos in the penalty area.

Up stepped Johnson whose penalty sailed high and wide. Faversham did have one effort as a Mongor strike went straight into Godmon’s arms. Ben Wilson continued to put in some testing crosses as Overland pushed the ball out to Webster whose effort went wide and then Campbell sent in a cross that was headed down by Webster but was pushed wide by Overland. However Hythe were not to be denied and took the lead a minute before the break as Webster sent a ball into Grant whose stooping header flew into net.

Hythe went further ahead on 51 minutes as Grant forced his way free and slammed the ball home. The Hythe defence which had been strong all evening limited Faversham to long range efforts as firstly Walder curled a free kick from 25 yards wide and then King cut back in and shot over the bar.

Walder then sent another shot over from 30 yards. He then had two free kicks, one of which went over and the second straight at Godmon. However on 83 minutes Grant completed his hat trick against his former club as he again broke free and slotted the ball home to seal the points for Hythe. A couple of chances followed for the hosts as substitute Sid Sollis fed the ball through to Dos Santos whose effort was saved by Overland and then deep into injury time Ashley Miller pulled the ball back to Sollis who fired just over.

Hythe deserved their three goal win which takes them up to eighth place and this should give them confidence as they move on to their game at high flying Sittingbourne on Saturday.

Team: Will Godman, Jerald Aboagye (Ryan Palmer 90 mins), Ben Wilson, Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Dickenson, Jordan Johnson-Palmer, Dave Cook, Charlie Webster, Dean Grant (Sid Sollis 83 mins), Jerson Dos Santos, Kieron Campbell (Ashley Miller 74 mins).

 

Scorers: Hythe Town – Dean Grant 44, 51 & 83 mins

 

Attendance: 186