Hythe recent resurgence came to a halt as they went down 1-0 at Lewes on Saturday afternoon.
It was the Cannons who created the first opportunity as after three minutes Dean Grant played the ball into Ashley Miller who had two stabs at the ball but both occasions the attempt was blocked. However it was Lewes who began to take control as their first effort came on six minutes with James Hammond putting in a dangerous cross that went across the Hythe goalmouth and away for a goal-kick. Ronnie Conlon was to then force Hythe keeper, Will Godmon to tip the ball over as he unleashed a shot from the edge of the area.
There were screams for a Lewes penalty as Reece Williams-Bowers went down in the penalty area but the referee waved away the appeals. The pressure continued as a Dave Cook clearance fell to veteran striker Jamie Brotherton who spooned the ball into Godmon’s arms. Hythe were creating some opportunities as Grant crossed but Kenny Pogue could not get enough of the ball to redirect it towards goal. On 24 minutes Lewes converted their dominance into a goal as Conlon on the left fired the ball into the far corner of the net to give them a deserved lead.
A couple of efforts at either end in the 36th minute as Willliams-Bowers turned and shot into Godmon’s arms and then Ben Wilson had cross headed wide. A poor clearance from Jerald Aboagye went straight to Hammond who shot over and then with a minute on the clock until half time saw a Wilson corner headed over by Mitchell Dickenson.
The second half was played in periods of torrential rain and started with Hythe on the attack as Miller fed the ball over to Kieron Campbell but the ball was fired over the bar. Ryan Palmer started to press down the right and crossed into captain, Ryan Johnson. Lewes still looked likely to get a second as the ball came out to Hammond who looped the ball over the bar. Hammond then slammed a free kick into the side netting. This was followed a melee in the Hythe penalty area was eventually cleared away.
The Cannons were unlucky on 76 minutes as a Sid Sollis cross was met by Johnson whose header slammed against the post and then a Palmer cross was headed away by ex-Folkestone Invicta defender Frankie Chapple before any Hythe could get to the ball. Hythe did continue to press in the last few minutes to get the elusive goal that would give them a point as Grant firstly slammed in a shot from close range that was blocked and then right on full time Palmer lofted a free kick just over the bar.
It was too little, too late for Hythe who must look for their first away points of the season as they travel to VCD Athletic on Tuesday evening.
Team: Will Godmon, Jerald Aboagye, Ben Wilson, Mitchell Dickenson, Ryan Johnson, Jordan Johnson-Palmer, Dave Cook, Ashley Miller (Ryan Palmer 60 mins), Dean Grant, Kenny Pogue, Kieron Campbell (Sid Sollis 72 mins)
Scorers: Lewes-Ronnie Conlon 25 mins
Attendance: 400