A strong second half performance from Hythe Town wasn’t enough as they came away from Sittingbourne with another loss.

Sittingbourne came into the game having not won a match in over one month, despite is they were able to remain in 9^th in the Ryman South due to their good start to the season. Nick Davis made three changes from the Brickies side who lost their last game 2-0 against Carshalton, the player- manager made way for Jono Richardson whilst Matt Harden and George Crimmen took the places of Brenden Cullen and Brett Milham respectively.

In comparison to their opponents, Hythe’s season had been inconsistent so far, they began the day in 17^th place but their luck was increasing after they signed Luke Harvey from Faversham and Louis Sprosen for a return from Cray Wanderers. Tim Dixon made two change from his side’s last game, a 2-1 loss against Herne Bay, Luke Harey made his debut alongside Ashley Miller and Jordan Wells replaced Josh Burchell on the left wing.

The game began slowly with the pitch playing a major part in stopping any form of attractive, possession- based football either team wanted to play, although both team began to create chances, no opportunities made either of the goalkeepers worry.

Hythe had the first major chance of the game, after Dave Pilcher was able to carry the ball through the heart of the Sittingbourne defence before passing the ball away to his right into the path of Jack Sullivan whose cross was blocked. From the resulting corner Laurence Harvey’s header was well stopped on the line from Adam Molloy.

Chances from corners continued throughout the opening half hour and Sittingbourne had their best chance so far when a corner from the left wing was punched away to the feet of Ollie Bankole who hit a first time shot which curled onto the post before being hurried away by the Hythe defence.

Hythe began to apply pressure to the hosts soon after when Luke Harvey turned with his back to goal before hitting a powerful shot which needed to be acrobatically tipped over by Molloy. The pressure continued when a cushioned header fell into the path of Ashley Miller but the attacking player placed his shot from close range wide.

Despite the continued opportunities from the visitors, it was Sittingbourne who scored the opening goal when, after some quick, two touch passing Stephan Okoh was given enough time on the right side of the box to shoot which, despite being saved fell into the path of Hicham Akhazzan and the winger converted the chance to score his fourth goal of the season.

Within five minutes the distance between the two teams had been doubled; Okoh received the ball in midfield before breaking through the Hythe defence and hitting a low shot which was saved by Roddy Hayward before, yet again, falling into the six yard box for Jono Richardson to score with a volley meaning that the hosts would go into half time with a two goal lead.

Hythe looked to put the first half behind them and they quickly took control of the second; within the first five minutes some good work from Ashley Miller on the right wing allowed space for the ball to be pulled back towards Dave Pilcher but the midfielder’s shot went agonisingly over the crossbar.

Despite these opportunities, Sittingbourne kept on looking for ways to break down their opponents from a quick surge forward Okoh was clearly fouled but the referee decided to give advantage to Ollie Bankole who received the loose ball before hitting a good shot towards goal which was brilliantly saved by Hayward who needed to quickly get down to his right side.

After a period of slow play with both team’s defences standing firm, it took a moment of quick passing in Hythe’s midfield before the ball came to Ashley Miller on the right, the striker’s shot from a tight angle was well saved before Lewis Mingle latched onto the rebound to lose the gap to just one goal.

This goal gave the visitors the momentum and soon after they were able to keep the ball and use it how they wanted- something they were unable to do in the first 45 minutes. A quick counter attack culminated in a shot from John Walker but his shot from 10 yards out was bravely blocked by Matt Harden.

This Hythe pressure was beginning to effect Sittingbourne and with time running out Sittingbourne were unable to clear the ball from an outswinging corner from the right, the ball fell to Ryan Phillpott before the substitute found Ashley Miller who was unable to convert the chance.

With three minutes of additional time at the end of the game Hythe had one final chance to push forward and go for the winning goal, but after some good work on the right wing Sam Conlon cut inside onto his weaker left foot and hit a disappointing shot straight at Adam Molloy.

Those three points ensure that Sittingbourne are able to keep up with the playoff contenders in the Ryman Division One South, they rise one place to 8^th after South Park were only able to draw at home to Tooting and Mitcham; their next game is on Tuesday as third placed Mertsham travel to Woodstock Park.

Hythe remain in 17^th and keep perilously close to the relegation places in the division, they have also played all 24 games so far- more than a lot of the teams below them. Their next game is at home next Saturday to 22^nd placed East Grinstead Town where the Cannons will hope to gain vital points as they look to keep away from the danger of relegation as time begins to run out.

Sittingbourne: Molloy, Brunt, Richardson, Harden, Crimmen, Bankole, Peter Smith, Brown, Nwoko, Okoh (Harry Smith), Akhazzan

Subs not used: Kayembe, Milham, Cullen, Izokun

Booked: Peter Smith

Hythe Town: Hayward, Walker, Mingle, Collardo, Stevenson, Laurence Harvey, Sullivan, Pilcher (Conlon), Luke Harvey (Philpott), Miller, Wells

Subs not used: Carr, Fulchar, Sprosen

Booked: Collardo, Sullivan

Attendance: 93