With 35 minutes left on the clock, the Cannons looked dead and buried as they found themselves three down and very much dead and buried in this league fixture.

But an amazing fightback saw them grab a point in a 3-3 draw at Phoenix Sports on a cold Saturday afternoon.

It was, in fact, Hythe who were first to settle in a lively start to the game. On seven minutes they had their first opportunity as Junior Aikhionbare pounced on a defensive muddle but fired wide of the target. Phoenix only had to wait another two minutes to threaten as Alex Teniola curled a shot straight into the arms of Cannons keeper Ryan Nicholls. At the other end, Jack Sammoutis who returned from injury for this afternoon’s game hit a shot from the edge of the area that was easily collected by Phoenix keeper, Steve Phillips.

On 25 minutes Hythe were unlucky not to take the lead as Zak Ansah played the ball into Keiron Campbell who unleashed a shot that stung the hands of Phillips as he pushed it over the bar. With 30 minutes gone on the clock, the hosts were to take the lead as a neat piece of skill by Teniola wrong-footed the Hythe defence and Kweku Ansah planted the ball in the net. Within a minute Zak Ansah attempted a lob over Phillips but he mistimed his effort and didn’t test the keeper.

The game continued to flow from end to end as Kweku Ansah had an effort deflected wide for a corner and then Campbell who was proving a handful for the home defence came in from the left and forced Phillips to smother the ball. The Cannons continued to look for the equalizer as Zach Fagan laid the ball off to Zak Ansah. His attempt was pushed wide by Phillips in the Phoenix goal. On 44 minutes the hosts increased their lead as a deep corner from Ryan Andrews saw Teniola rise unchallenged to head the ball in at the far post. There was an attempt just before the break from Zak Ansah as he sent in a swerving shot that was blocked by Phillips.

The second half started with Phoenix looking more likely to increase their lead. A free kick by Ashley Probets on the edge of the area flew into the arms of Nicholls and then Jeff Duah-Kessie ran through on the break to fire his final shot wide. On 55 minutes a great move from the visitors ended with Nigel Neita curling a shot against the upright. However, it was Phoenix who appeared to seal the game as they took a three-goal lead. A cross by Lewis Clark found Teniola who bundled the ball home. The game looked dead and buried for Hythe but their fightback was inspired by a break from Aikhionbare who on 63 minutes ran forward and placed the ball under the body of Phillips and into the Phoenix net to narrow the gap. Nicholls was to block well from Duah-Kessie but it was now the Cannons who had gone up the gears and were in the ascendency.

Neita, for the second time, hit the left hand upright as he had shot deflected but Hythe were not to be denied as they pulled another goal back on 78 minutes. Campbell got in a ball from the left-hand side with his right foot that found Zak Ansah who finished neatly for his 22nd goal of the season. The comeback was on and it was Hythe who were in total control as the swept forward.  On 81 minutes Campbell sent in a dipping shot that superbly saved by Phillips. However, as the game went into injury time Aikhionbare chased a ball down the right from Billy Lewins. He managed to get it into Neita who curled the ball into the top corner to reward Hythe with a point that earlier had looked so unlikely.  The Cannons did have an opportunity six minutes into stoppage time as Neita pulled a shot just wide.

The point was just reward for Hythe who go up to fourth place but now have two weeks to wait for their next league fixture. However, they do have friendly at home to Tunbridge Wells next Saturday followed by a Velocity Trophy tie at home to Burgess Hill Town on Tuesday week (27th November 2018).

Team: Ryan Nicholls, Salvyn Kisitu, Elliott Capel, Zach Fagan (Aziz Lyoubi 66 mins), Nathan Daly, Mitchell Dickenson, Nigel Neita, Junior Aikhionbare, Zak Ansah, Jack Sammoutis (Billy Lewins 89 mins), Kieron Campbell.

Scorers: Phoenix Sports – Kweku Ansah 30 mins, Alex Teniola 44 & 58 mins. Hythe Town – Junior Aikhionbare 63 mins, Zak Ansah 78 mins, Nigel Neita 90 mins.

Attendance 135.