The Cannons eased through to next round of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup as they eventually comfortably won 3-1 at Reachfields against a young Margate side who had made a number of changes from their game on Saturday.

It was Hythe who were first out of the blocks piling pressure on the Margate goal as on eight minutes Ryan Palmer put in a cross to Mitchell Dickenson who got the ball back to Mitchell Chapman but his attempt went straight into the arms of Margate keeper Henry Newcombe. Hythe keeper, George Kamurasi then sent out a long clearance that found Junior Aikhionbare running through but his final effort was fired wide. The Cannons continued to press as a Palmer curling shot went straight to Newcombe. Josh Stirman was next to create a chance as he put in a cross that saw Nigel Neita blast over.

Hythe scored the inevitable goal after thirteen minutes as Aikionbare played the ball into Neita who buried the ball in the net from close range to give the Cannons the lead. Aikhionbare threatened again as he blasted a shot that was just too close to Newcombe who saved well. Margate were to equalise against the run of play on 20 minutes as Aristride Basselle broke in following a defensive mix-up and lobbed the ball over the advancing Kamurasi and into the far corner of the net.

The game that was lively throughout seemed to calm down with only a couple more chances in the half as firstly Palmer picked up the ball on the left, jinked into the area and shot just over the bar. Then on the stroke of half-time Neita surged in down the right hand by-line and forced Newcombe to push the ball into the side netting.

The second half started brightly with Aikhionbare having two opportunities. Firstly he cut in and shot straight at Newcombe and then he leapt on a defensive mistake but his final effort was deflected away for a corner. A neat move from Josh Stirman followed which ended with a cross into Charlie Owen but his excellent looping header was tipped away by Newcombe at full stretch.

Margate were looking dangerous on the break and created a good opportunity on 53 minutes as a cross from Lee Prescott went across the face of the goal but went away for a goal kick as nobody could capitalise on the chance to give the visitors an unlikely lead. The hosts still looked the more likely but despite having chances, were not hitting the target. Palmer sent in a cross to Neita but his attempt was deflected wide and then substitute Zak Ansah fed the ball to Kieron Campbell but he blasted over.

The deadlock was finally broken on 78 minutes as a Charlie Webster attempt was blocked. The rebound came out to Palmer who made no mistake to give Hythe the lead. Within six minutes the Cannons had sealed the game as Campbell had an attempt blocked. It came out to Ansah who nodded the ball home to make it 3-1. There was no way back for Margate and it is the Cannons who go through to the next round and await to hear who their opponents will be in Round Two.

Hythe have more Cup action on Saturday (25th August 2018) as they entertain Worthing United in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round. Kick-off is 3pm.

Hythe Team: George Kamurasi, Jack Negus, Aziz Lyoubi, Mitchell Chapman, Nathan Daly, Mitchell Dickenson, Ryan Palmer, Charlie Owen (Kieron Campbell 58 mins), Junior Aikhionbare, Nigel Neita (Zak Ansah 67 mins), Josh Stirman (Charlie Webster 58 mins).

Scorers: Hythe Town-Nigel Neita 13 mins, Ryan Palmer 78 mins, Zak Ansah 84 mins. Margate- Aristride Baselle 20 mins.

Attendance: 162