The Sam Denly era started with a gutsy and spirited 3-2 win against a very physical South Park side on a damp afternoon at Reachfields on Saturday.
The early exchanges were even and limited to a number of speculative attempts from long range. Hythe’s Jerson Dos Santos had the first effort after seven minutes as he hit a shot from the edge of the area straight at South Park keeper Callum Thomas.
The visitors had to wait until the 14th minutes for their first effort as Jason McElligott threaded the ball through to Joe Jackson who fired over the bar. Callum Emptage was next to threaten as he had a shot that was already going wide deflected away for a corner. As the half progressed South Park began to look the more likely as McElligott launched a shot high over the bar.
On 27 minutes some superb defending from Jerald Aboagye as he dispossessed Chris Smith who broke free and then Smith played the ball over to McElligott who couldn’t quite redirect the ball towards goal on the far post. However, on 32 minutes South Park took the lead as Joe Jackson got on the end of a cross and smashed the ball home. One effort before half time for the Cannons to get back in the game saw a Mitchell Dickenson volley into the arms of Thomas. On the stroke of half time South Park’s right back Jerry O’Sullivan received a red card for a nasty challenge on Kieron Campbell.
The second started with Hythe trying to take advantage of playing against ten men as on 48 minutes Campbell, who was become more dangerous as the game progressed, drove the ball straight at Thomas. Then on 50 minutes Hythe were level as Ryan Palmer scored another spectacular goal as he moved in from the left dipping his shot into the far side of the net.
However, South Park were still looking dangerous as a Jackson broke free but couldn’t get a shot away before Hythe keeper Will Godmon blocked. With the next attack on 66 minutes they were ahead as substitute Keiran Lavery broke free and planted ball past Godmon and into the net.
As the rain was getting heavier, Hythe were looking for the equaliser. Campbell again moved in and slammed the ball just wide and then Palmer curled a free-kick but that again went just the wrong side of the upright. South Park were still threatening on the break as a shot from Dan Moody was deflected wide. From the resultant corner Moody headed wide.
However, it was Hythe who were to draw level once again on 83 minutes when Palmer put in a deep cross and the ball was redirected into the net by Dickenson at the far post. With only two minutes left on the watch Hythe were to complete the turnaround as Chris Kinnear moving through the middle laid the ball off to Campbell who surged forward and fired the ball home. Hythe were to hold on for the seven minutes of injury time to complete an impressive win in front of 235 people most of whom went home happy.
Hythe remain in eighth place and can now look forward to next Saturday’s trip to high flying Carshalton Athletic.
Team: Will Godmon, Jerald Aboagye, Callum Emptage (Mitchell Chapman 21 mins), Chris Kinnear, Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Dickenson, Kieron Campbell, Charlie Webster, Zak Ansah (Callum Phillip 81 mins), Jerson Dos Santos (Elliott Capel 90 mins), Ryan Palmer.
Scorers: Hythe Town – Ryan Palmer 50 mins, Mitchell Dickenson 83 mins, Kieron Campbell 88 mins. South Park – Joe Jackson 32 mins, Kieran Lavery 64 mins.
Attendance 235