Hythe Town started like an express train as they stormed to 6-0 half-time lead and then added two goals in the second period as they won 8-0 at home to Southern Combination Premier Division, Crawley Down Gatwick at a scorching Reachfields on Saturday afternoon.
The early stages of the game saw Hythe straight into top gear as on three minutes Ryan Palmer, who tormented the Crawley Down defence throughout, side footed the ball towards the goal but couldn’t bundle the ball into the net. On eight minutes Zak Ansah picked up the ball 25 yards out and sent a shot just wide. Palmer was in the action again as he threaded the ball through to Ansah who moved in and lifted the ball just over the bar. The inevitable happened on a quarter of an hour as the Cannons took the lead with Ansah playing the ball back to Charlie Webster who slammed home from the middle of the penalty area.
It was all now one way traffic as the hosts attacked in waves. Palmer got the ball through to Jack Sammoutis whose final attempt was blocked well by Crawley Down keeper Andy Greaves who saved from a follow up effort from Ansah. The visitors had to wait until the 23rd minute before creating their first meaningful effort as a Billy Wraight cross found Michael Ball but his attempt was deflected over. However Hythe were deservedly two ahead on 24 minutes as Palmer played across to Ansah who calmly collected the ball and sent his effort into the far side of the net. This kicked off an avalanche as Aziz Lyoubi fed the ball into Ansah on 27 minutes. Hythe’s prolific striker placed his shot to perfection just out on the grasp of Greaves and into the net.
On a half an hour Hythe went further ahead as Sammoutis got the ball over to Kieron Campbell who curled his shot into the corner of the goal. There was a Crawley Down threat on 31 minutes as Lewis Croal sent a shot straight at Hythe keeper George Kamurasi. However the visitors pain continued on 32 minutes as Salvyn Kisitu picked up a loose ball and found Ansah who side-footed the ball home to complete his hat-trick. On 38 minutes it was six as Palmer fed Sammoutis who buried the ball in the back of the net. With a minute until the break, Crawley Down had their best opportunity of the half as George Wallis fed the ball through to Sonny Barton who attempted to lob Kamurasi but the big keeper stretched to tip the ball over the bar.
Fair play to the Southern Combination Premier League visitors, they never gave up and started brightly in the second half. Two shots followed in quick succession as firstly Sam Cane and Barton shot straight at Kamurasi. At the other end Sammoutis worked his way in from the left to force Greaves to save. Cane threatened again for Crawley Down as he pounced on error by Mitchell Chapman but did not test Kamusari. Eventually the Cannons added a seventh on 77 minutes as Palmer put in a cross that was met by the diving Webster whose bullet header flew into the net.
On 79 minutes Michael Turner skilfully found Charlie Owen whose attempt was blocked and then with nine minutes to go a determined run ended with a sublime chip from Webster that completed the midfielder’s hat-trick put the icing on the cake for the Cannons in an 8-0 win.
It was an encouraging performance that produced more optimism for the season ahead. Hythe have another pre-season friendly on Tuesday evening (24th July 2018) as they entertain Southern Counties East, Canterbury City – Kick-off at Reachfields is 7:45pm.
Team: George Kamurasi, Salvyn Kisitu, Aziz Lyoubi, Chris Kinnear, Ben Gorham, Mitchell Dickenson, Ryan Palmer, Charlie Webster, Zak Ansah, Jack Sammoutis, Kieron Campbell. Subs all used: Mitchell Chapman, Chris Arthur, Kane Phillip, Josh Stirman, Charlie Owen, Jack Negus, Michael Turner, Jude Harding, Arthur Pickering
Scorers: Hythe Town – Charlie Webster 15 71 & 81 mins, Zak Ansah 24 27 & 32 mins, Kieron Campbell 30 mins, Jack Sammoutis 38 mins.
Attendance: 129