Hythe were put out of the FA Trophy as they went down to a late penalty in a 1-0 defeat at Leatherhead on Saturday afternoon.

The early exchanges were dominated by the Bostik Premier club as they created the early chances. After only eight minutes, Jack Midson hooked a shot that was blocked well by the ever dependable Mitchell Dickenson. This was followed by a cross from Sean Clohessey who got the ball over to Niall McManus but he screwed his shot over the bar. This was quickly followed by another attack this time from Midson who broke through but his final effort was slammed into the side netting.  It was eighteen minutes before the Cannons created their first chance as a cross from the busy Hythe midfielder Charlie Webster came in but there was nobody able to convert the opportunity as the ball went across the goal mouth.

Hythe were beginning to get into the game as Kieron Campbell cut in and unleashed a shot that was deflected for a corner. Clear cut chances were at a premium with only two more efforts in the half for the hosts as firstly a ball was sent over to Tom Richards who fired over and then McManus passed into Sam Blackman who headed wide. The half passed with hardly an effort on target.

The second period started with Leatherhead looking the more likely but struggling to hit the target as firstly Leatherhead player-manager Sammy Moore played the ball into Midson who headed wide and then the same combination saw the same result fourteen minutes later. Hythe had their first clear cut chance of the half after 61 minutes as Jerald Aboagye pulled the ball back from the by-line towards Campbell. The Hythe winger challenged Leatherhead keeper Zaki Oualah but got a yellow card for his efforts. Hythe keeper Will Godmon prevented any further danger as he pushed away a cross from Clohessy. Then Hythe created their best opportunity of the game as Grant put the ball out to Webster who moved in and sent in a shot that was pushed wide by Oualah. It was now the visitors who were beginning to create the better chances as Ben Wilson firstly had a long shot that was held by Oualah and then had a free kick from the edge of the area that went just over the top.

Hythe continued to press as Webster crossed over to Dean Grant but his attempt looped over. At the other end a Wilson clearance went to Midson who moved in and blasted wide. However the stalemate was broken seven minutes from time as there was an infringement in the Hythe penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Midson who sent Godmon the wrong way to bury the ball in the back of the net for the winning goal. Hythe did have a couple of chances to draw the scores level as firstly Wilson sent in a free kick from the edge of the area just wide and then, deep into injury time, substitute Ryan Palmer passed over to Webster who off-balance shot into the arms of Oualah.

Time ran out for the Cannons as they couldn’t get back into the game and were knocked out of the FA Trophy. Hythe will now look forward to their next game away at Chipstead as Tuesday night’s Velocity Trophy tie against Tonbridge Angels is now postponed as our opponents drew in the FA Trophy. More details of rearrangements will be published on the website as soon as it is known,

Team: Will Godmon, Jerald Aboagye, Ben Wilson, Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Dickenson, Jordan Johnson-Palmer, Dave Cook, Charlie Webster, Dean Grant (Sid Sollis 75 mins), Jerson Dos Santos, Kieron Campbell (Ryan Palmer 65 mins).

 Scorer: Leatherhead-Jack Midson 83 mins (pen).

 Attendance: 201