A really disappointing afternoon for the Cannons as they went down 2-0 at Sevenoaks Town on Saturday.

There was one chance each within the first minute as firstly ex-Hythe striker, Frankie Sawyer had an effort from the edge of the Hythe penalty area but it went straight into the arms of visiting keeper, George Kamurasi and then at the other end Zak Ansah curled a shot just over the bar. The game at this stage was going from end to end as another ex Hythe striker Kenny Pogue found himself with the ball on the far post but Kamurasi was quick to block. On five minutes Chris Kinnear had another opportunity for the Cannons as he got onto a loose ball but blasted wide.

Ryan Palmer, who had returned to the side replacing injured midfielder Jack Sammoutis, played the ball into Nathan Daly whose header was saved and then at the other end a corner was flicked on by Pogue onto Sawyer who lifted the ball over the bar. Hythe did have an opportunity to take the lead as a high, deep cross from Salvyn Kisitu found Keiron Campbell on the far post but he spooned the ball over. At this stage of the game, it was Hythe who were creating the more meaningful chances with Palmer sending a free kick from the edge of the area just over the bar and then Charlie Webster sent in a bullet that was well tipped over by Sevenoaks keeper Ben Bridle-Card.

Bridle-Card was then to deny Hythe again as Ansah played the ball across to Kinnear whose rifled shot was turned around the post by the keeper.  Aziz Lyoubi charged down the right-hand side playing the ball across to Ansah but Bridle-Card was again on hand to push the ball wide. There was an opportunity for the hosts two minutes before the break that saw Alec Fiddes get through but his final shot did not test Kamurasi.

The second-half saw Sevenoaks grow in ambition and confidence as substitute William Johnson-Cole crossed to Pogue who lifted his shot over the bar. On 62 minutes a spectacular overhead kick was attempted by Jack Miles but it went straight at Kamurasi. However, Sevenoaks capitalized on their second-period pressure as on 63 minutes Pogue crossed into Johnson-Cole who headed home from close-range. The Oaks continued to press and were unlucky not to increase their lead on 70 minutes when a cross by Sawyer was headed against the underside of the crossbar and appeared to bounce away but there were claims from Sevenoaks that the ball had crossed the line.

Two minutes later, Sevenoaks were to get the second goal that their second-half performance had deserved. Johnson-Cole got the ball back into Sawyer who finished off neatly. With a two-goal deficit, the Cannons had a mountain to climb. Nigel Neita was to put a shot over the bar and then Webster sent another dipping shot just over the bar. Palmer was then to put in a looping cross that dropped at the feet of Lyoubi who couldn’t quite get enough contact on the ball to threaten. However, Hythe couldn’t get the goal that may spark a late fightback and in fact were lucky not to go further behind a minute from time as Johnson-Cole worked his way inside and his final effort rapped against the upright.

Hythe move down sixth place and must now regroup before next Saturday’s home game against VCD Athletic.

Team: George Kamurasi, Salvyn Kisitu, Aziz Lyoubi (Billy Lewins 84 mins), Chris Kinnear (Junior Aikhionbare 61 mins), Nathan Daly, Mitchell Dickenson, Ryan Palmer, Charlie Webster, Zak Ansah, Nigel Neita, Kieron Campbell.    

Scorers: Sevenoaks Town: William Johnson-Cole 63 mins, Frankie Sawyer 72 mins.

Attendance: 143