The Cannons saw their way into the next round of the Velocity Trophy winning the penalty shoot-out 5-3 after the game ended 0-0 at Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday evening.
It was Hythe who were first out of the blocks as after two minutes ex-Tonbridge striker Sid Sollis headed down to Jerson Dos Santos whose shot was blocked. Tonbridge had to wait until the 17th minute for their first meaningful attempt as Tashi Jay-Kwayie cut in and forced Hythe keeper Louis Lawlor to tip the ball over the bar.
The hosts then had three chances within a three minute period as firstly Nathan Elder headed down a corner with Sonny Miles getting a foot to the ball sending it onto the top of the cross-bar. This was quickly followed by a dangerous curling shot from Joe Turner which was headed away by Dave Cook for a corner. The third effort saw Andre McCollin swing in a corner that found Elder who headed onto Alex Akrofi who nodded over from close-range.
Tonbridge continued to press as Jack Parter cut in from the right and forced Lawlor into a save. Hythe did threaten on 32 minutes as a Ben Wilson corner was rebounded to him but his shot was smothered by Tonbridge keeper Joe Henly. Jordan Johnson Palmer then started a move as he got the ball to Dos Santos who fed Ryan Palmer whose shot was safely gathered by Henly.
Hythe were now in the ascendancy as Palmer passed into Dos Santos whose rasping shot was saved well by Henly With a minute of the half to go Tonbridge were awarded a free kick but McCollin blasted it over the bar. Two chances for Hythe in injury time as firstly Johnson-Palmer released Santos who broke free but his right-footed shot went past the post and then Jerald Aboagye played the ball inside to Santos, who threaded a pass into Palmer’s feet before he sent in a blistering shot that was well saved by Henly.
The second half started with a period of sustained Tonbridge pressure but they failed to get a meaningful threat on the Hythe goal and it was in fact the visitors who created the first chance of the half. Aboagye broke down the right putting in a cross that Dos Santos could not get enough head on to direct it on target.
On 57 minutes Johnson-Palmer threaded a pinpoint ball through to Dos Santos but he fired wide. With around an hour gone Tonbridge had two opportunities in quick succession as Akrofi stole the ball forcing a great save from Lawlor who was in the form of his life as he was to save again McCollin.
Kieron Campbell picked up a loose ball and blasted over from 25 yards and then Johnson Palmer eased his way to the edge of the penalty area but his final attempt was deflected away for a corner. Wilson’s resultant corner was headed over by Cook. This move was repeated four minutes later with the same result.
The last stage of the game saw sustained pressure from the hosts with Turner breaking through but firing just over the bar and then man of the match Lawlor spread himself well to block an attempt from Akrofi. Lawlor was on hand again to save from Kwayie. Right on the stroke of full time Kwaiye had another effort but this one sailed over the bar and then deep into injury time Dan Thompson shot straight at Lawlor.
It was now down to penalty kicks and with Tonbridge’s Akrofi missing their first attempt it was “advantage Hythe” and the five penalty takers did not disappoint as Ryan Johnson, Cook, Palmer, Wilson and Dos Santos all struck great penalties to take the Cannons through to the next round of the Velocity Trophy where they will play at home to Hendon or Grays Athletic.
It is back to league action on Saturday as Hythe travel down to Shoreham with a 3pm kick-off.
Hythe Town team: Louis Lawlor, Jerald Aboagye, Ben Wilson, Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Chapman, Jordan Johnson-Palmer, Dave Cook, Charlie Webster, Sid Sollis, Jerson Dos Santos, Ryan Palmer (Kieron Campbell 62 mins).
Attendance 173
Tonbridge Angels 0 Hythe Town 0
Hythe won 5-3 on penalties