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Centre Of Attention Hythe Town - 3 - Crawley Down - 1 Ryman League South - 18/02/12  Goals from centre-back partnership
Nick Reeves and Pat Kingwell, along with the
twelfth goal of the season for Brendon Cass
sealed a brilliant second half comeback from
Scott Porter's side, who went into half-time 1-0
down to visitors Crawley Down. Hythe Town are
now eight games unbeaten, and as a result move
up to eighth position in the Ryman League South.
Hythe started well, Nick Barnes doing well to feed
the ball into Gary Mickelborough who rolled his
marker and shot just wide from the edge of the
box. The home side should have opened the scoring when Jimmy Dryden's flick was helped on by Mickelborough to Ronnie Dolan who hit a first-time half-volley just over the crossbar. For the visitors Gabi Odunaike fired over with a similar chance, before Luke Blewden's shot was first blocked by Pat Kingwell and then cleared off the line by Aaron Lacy. Crawley Down were enjoying a good period of pressure and deservedly took the lead when Blewden rifled home an uncleared corner, giving Dean Ruddy no chance. It was important that the away side didn't extend their lead before half-time as both sides looked in the mood for goals, with neither wanting to give their opponents any reason for any extra confidence. Porter's side successfully kept their opponents at arms length for the remainder of the first half, almost grabbing an equaliser just before half-time. Dolan had a decent long-range effort stopped by visiting keeper Mark Zawadski, following good work from Taser Hassan. Before on the stroke of half-time Lacy's cross was met by a first time shot from Barnes that deflected off Dryden and just wide of goal, with Zawadski stranded.  At
half-time it felt that out of the two sides it was
the home side that still had more in their locker,
and this would be proven with Hythe out for the
second-half very quickly, with an equaliser
arriving just two minutes after the restart. A
good move from kick-off earned a corner, taken by
Kane Rice and met quite brilliantly by a
first-time half-volley from Reeves from just
inside the penalty area, that found the top corner
like a bullet. Hythe searched for a second as
Kingwell's header from another Rice corner was
cleared off the line. However Crawley Down were not going down without a fight as Anthony Storey's low fizzing free-kick was held well by Ruddy, and Fraser Logan poked a good effort just over after a smart move across the Hythe box. Those chances were minor setbacks for the home side who were now pushing on to win the game, Hassan travelling with the ball from one box to the other, before squaring to Dolan whose shot was turned onto the post by Zawadski. From the resulting corner the home side took the lead, Hassan picking up his own uncleared corner before crossing to Kingwell to flick a lovely header home to give his side the advantage with just over twenty minutes to play. Brendon Cass and Lee Winfield replaced Mickelborough and Dryden, and four minutes later Hythe extended their lead. Lacy's throw flicked on by Barnes and then glanced home by substitute Cass. In response, Tom Burton forced Ruddy into an excellent save around the base of his post, but Hythe held firm for three more valuable points. Match Photos - Courtesy of Simon Giles - Click Here Scorers - Hythe Town - Reeves - 47 mins - Kingwell - 68 mins - Cass - 75 mins - Crawley Down - Blewden - 25 mins Hythe Town - Ruddy, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell (c), Reeves, Dolan, Hassan, Barnes, Dryden (Winfield - 71), Mickelborough (Cass -71), Rice (Parkinson - 86) - Unused subs - A Porter, Smith Man of the Match - Pat Kingwell Attendance - 206 Bring On Dover! Ebbsfleet United - 1 - Hythe Town - 4 (after extra-time, 1-1 after 90 minutes) Kent Senior Cup Quarter Final - 31/01/12 Hythe Town swept aside their Conference opponents with three goals in extra-time to set up an enticing Kent Senior Cup semi-final at home to Dover Athletic. It was no more than Scott Porter’s men deserved and was testimony to their fitness and battling spirit. Hythe had almost sealed the match in normal time but conceded a disputed penalty right at the end. It was well into added time when Lee Winfield clipped Reece Lyons and the referee, Mr Bakalarz, pointed to the spot. Even a number of the Fleet faithful admitted afterwards that the foul had been outside the area. However, the match official decided that everyone should stay for an extra half-hour on a bitterly cold night at Stonebridge Road. Nathaniel Pinney, one of the first team regulars in Fleet’s line-up, made no mistake from the penalty. The wind whistled around the cavernous ground and Hythe could have let their heads drop at this last minute blow. However, they picked themselves up and just carried on, scoring the first of their extra-time goals after two minutes and not looking in any danger from then on. In a first half of few chances, bar the odd long range effort at either end, it would have been hard to predict the goals to come. Hythe central defender, Tom Parkinson, had cleared off the line from Fleet’s best effort of the half, a volley from distance by Alex Stavrinou after a neat short free-kick. At the other end, Tom McNeil in the Fleet goal had to dive full length to keep out a low drive from Ronnie Dolan, whose runs from midfield were causing problems. From a Hythe corner soon after, Jimmy Dryden stabbed at a loose ball on the edge of the area but McNeil again dived to save the effort. Dean Ruddy in the Hythe goal then had to tip over a shot from twenty-five yards from Stavrinou. The second half saw Hythe build on the possession of the first half and, indeed, the last gasp penalty was to be the home side’s only shot on target in this second period. Fleet were given a warning soon after the restart when McNeil had to pull off a double save from a powerful shot from Dryden and then from Gary Mickelborough from the rebound. Dryden then tested the keeper again, McNeil having to throw himself full length to turn round another useful strike. The breakthrough came in the sixty-eighth minute when a deep corner from Kieran Bryne eluded McNeil and fell to Hythe central defender, Nick Reeves, to smash home from a couple of yards. Hythe should have wrapped it up not long after when Dryden shot over from almost under the bar when McNeil again came and missed a cross. That miss looked as though it could be costly but Hythe were in no mood to let the late equaliser deflate them. All three extra-time goals were classy ones. The first saw Thompson play a lovely ball inside the left-back to Mickelborough and he drove the ball across the goalmouth for Byrne to slide in at the far post. With the visitors showing much more appetite for the extended period and with home players dropping with cramp, it soon became clear that any fight had gone from the mostly young Fleet side. Dolan scored the goal of the match ten minutes into added time, picking up a neat lay-off from Mickelborough at full pace, flicking the ball past the last defender and then volleying past McNeil. The rout was completed four minutes later by Thompson who latched onto a neat through ball from Mickelborough, outpaced the weary home defenders and slotted home. The Hythe players and management team were cheered off by the cold but happy away supporters after a stirring win that is further evidence that Porter’s men mean business this season in this competition as well as in the league. Match Report courtesy of Martin Whybrow Scorers - Hythe Town - Reeves - 68 mins - Byrne - 92 mins - Dolan - 100 mins - Thompson - 104 mins - Ebbsfleet United - Pinney - 90 mins (pen) Hythe Town - Ruddy, Lacy, Walker, Parkinson, Kingwell (Reeves - 45), Dolan, Winfield, Hassan (Thompson - 85), Dryden, Cass (Mickelborough - 45), Byrne - Unused subs - Rice, Sinden Man of the Match - Ronnie Dolan Attendance - 225 Hythe Grab Point Against The Odds Chipstead - 1 - Hythe Town - 1 Ryman League South - 28/01/12 Reduced to ten men; influential midfielder, Nick Barnes, ruled out before kick-off; striker, Brendon Cass, laid up with flu; and the loss in the first half of skipper, Dave Cook, to a hamstring injury: this was definitely a point won in the face of adversity for Hythe Town. Even without the setbacks, it looked to be a tough challenge. Chipstead are having their best ever season, had won three out of three league games in January and sat one place above Hythe at the start of the day. However, it is testimony to Hythe’s current confidence that they always pressed for three points when some teams would have battened down the hatches. Hythe were the better team in the first half, starting brightly and giving the home side some tricky moments. Gary Mickelborough replaced Cass, which meant Hythe were full of pace up front, with Taser Hasan and Kane Rice down the flanks. Chipstead were still trying to work out how to cope with this when Mickelborough struck the opening goal. It came on eight minutes as he chased down a through ball. He shrugged off the attentions of the two pursuing defenders and expertly slid the ball into the bottom left corner, out of the reach of keeper, Steve Northwood. Mickelborough then had a good shout for a penalty when he appeared to be clipped as he cut through on goal again, put away by a perfectly weighted pass from Ronnie Dolan. Hythe’s next threat was aerial, when Nick Reeves headed powerfully from an Aaron Lacy throw. Northwood dived full length to save, albeit with the ball coming at a comfortable height. It wasn’t until almost the half-hour mark that Chipstead created their first chance. Marcus Cassius, scourge of Hythe and many other opponents in his years in the Kent League, sent a sharp cross fizzing through the goalmouth but no one could connect. Hythe keeper, Dean Ruddy, then blocked well from close range when a corner ended up at the feet of Julien Thompson, ten yards out. Shortly after, Cook limped off to be replaced by Kieran Byrne. The sub was booked soon after for a rash, lunging challenge. That booking came back to haunt Byrne and Hythe not long into the second half. The visitors had again started well. Reeves is usually Hythe’s most dangerous defender when he pushes up and again he connected well with a Lacy throw but Northwood was in the right position to take the header comfortably – either side of the keeper and it could have been a different story. Not long after, Byrne kicked the ball away at a Chipstead free-kick to receive his second yellow card. Byrne was mortified and apologised to his teammates and management team after the game for his moment of stupidity. It was the cue for Chipstead to press forward. There was a triple substitution from manager, Mark Tompkins (another Kent League foe when at Erith Town). The equaliser came on 54 minutes. Left-back, Bruce Hogg, broke free of two Hythe players and drove the ball low across goal where Hythe’s Pat Kingwell smashed the ball into the roof of his own net. There was little that Kingwell could have done and it should not detract from another commanding performance from the big central defender. Both sides pressed for the win, with Hythe bringing on forward, Craig Thompson, for Rice. Hythe were frustrated when the sub was denied a shot on goal by the referee’s whistle having been played through by a long ball from John Walker. Walker had been caught by Chipstead skipper, Jason Goodchild. Goodchild was booked but his side were able to regroup and deal with the resultant free-kick when a much better decision would have been to play the advantage. Chipstead’s best chance to make it four wins out of four in the month came late on to right-back, Owen Davies, when he was found by a deep cross at the far post but he shot into the side netting. On another day, Hythe might have taken off Lee Winfield or Mickelborough, both of whom were tiring having not played 90 minutes of football for some time but the injuries and sending-off limited Porter’s hand. As it was, Hythe had the final attack of the game when Thompson headed just wide from another Lacy throw, with the final whistle going almost immediately after this. Both sides will rue the dropped points as they bid to make the play-off places and, in fairness, it was not a game that will last long in the memory. However, for Porter it was evidence once more that his side have become tough to beat, even when – as they had the previous Saturday in the great win against Maidstone – they have to play with ten men for a large portion of the match. Match Report courtesy of Martin Whybrow Scorers - Hythe Town - Mickelborough - 8 mins - Chipstead - Own Goal (Kingwell) - 54 mins Hythe Town - Ruddy, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c) (Byrne - 25 mins), Winfield, Hassan, Mickelborough, Rice (Thompson - 70 mins) - Unused subs - Parkinson, Chandler, A Porter Man of the Match - Pat Kingwell Attendance - 109 Heroic Hythe Stun The Stones! Hythe Town - 1 - Maidstone United - 0 Ryman League South - 21/01/12 Hythe Town defied the odds to defeat Maidstone United in a league fixture for the first time ever, and they did so playing the majority of the game with ten men! Scott Porter's side produced one of their best performances of the season with their eighth win in eleven games, and are now unbeaten in the last five games. All of this was achieved after the home side were guilty of falling for their visitors' tricks, two poor challenges had already been made on Hythe players when in the thirteenth minute Michael Phillips made a dangerous challenge on Taser Hassan. In the following chaos the Stones players got in the face of Hythe skipper Dave Cook who made the mistake of reacting with a push on a Maidstone player. Cook received his marching orders, whilst Phillips received a yellow card. However, the game panned out in a totally different fashion to what most of the excellent 548 crowd expected. Porter's troops were the better side throughout, and with the exception of a short spell after half-time the result was never in danger. In fact Hythe could have extended their lead in the closing stages, as Porter made brilliant tactical changes to actually take the game to the Stones, his players showing outstanding commitment and fitness levels to see through their manager's game-plan. Hythe should have taken the lead within the first minute of the game as Kane Rice won and took a corner that Nick Reeves collected at the near-post but blazed over at close-range. The visitors' first chance came via an excellent ball from Sam Bewick that picked out Alex Flisher on the edge of the Hythe box, Flisher firing in a low shot that deflected just wide. As a result of the game's flashpoint, Hythe reverted to a 4-4-1 formation, but the game was threatening to get out of control as Bewick ploughed through Ronnie Dolan. From the restart Taser Hassan impressively dribbled past three men before cutting the ball back for Rice who should have done better at the back-post. The home side continued to stay on top despite the numerical disadvantage, and again were guilty of not converting clear chances on goal, as Dolan's free-kick picked out an again unmarked Reeves who really should have scored against the side he started the season playing for. The Stones enjoyed their best passage of play just after half-time, Ellis Green's shot deflecting en-route to a good save from Dean Ruddy. Impressive substitute Alex Waugh weaved his way into the Hythe penalty area before hitting a fierce rising shot that Ruddy literally got just a fingertip on. Hythe were looking shaky as Flisher's cross just evaded a close-range tap-in from both Waugh and Shaun Welford. Suddenly, Hythe scared their opponents with a counter-attack that almost led to the ten men taking a surprise lead. Nick Barnes releasing Brendon Cass over the half-way line, but the Hythe man failing to find an unmarked Dolan, as for a moment Hythe held the numerical advantage in the Maidstone half. The home side appeared to decide that the best form of defence was attack, keeper Daren Hawkes made a poor clearance that Rice met with a stooping header to send Cass one on one, a brilliantly timed saving tackle from skipper Graeme Andrew preventing Cass from a clear strike on goal. On the hour the hosts took the lead, as a typically impressive surge down the flank from Barnes led to the midfielder curling in a dangerous cross that actually surprised Hawkes and flew into the top corner, a goal with an element of good luck, but the quality of the cross deserved to create a decent chance on goal at the least. Hythe introduced the attacking trio of Craig Thompson, Kieran Byrne, and Gary Mickelborough, and although the game plan in the closing stages was understandably to run the clock down and frustrate Maidstone, Hythe's formation appeared to turn into a brave 4-2-3 shape that really threw the visitors in the final moments. In the last few minutes Lacy's cross just evaded a close-range header for the unmarked Thompson, and Dolan's run took him from the half-way line to the six-yard box, the young midfielder's pullback just behind several of the Hythe attack. The Stones' brightest spark, Waugh, gave Hythe a scare in injury-time with another typically mazy run deep into the Hythe penalty area, but Porter's heroes held out for a memorable victory. Scorers - Hythe Town - Barnes - 60 mins Hythe Town - Ruddy, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Hassan (Mickelborough - 76), Cass (Thompson - 65), Rice (Byrne - 65) - Unused subs - Sinden, Parkinson Man of the Match - Nick Barnes Attendance - 548 Town Hit Best Form Of Season Whitstable Town - 2 - Hythe Town - 4 Ryman League South - 14/01/12 Scott Porter's Hythe Town have hit their best form of the season as they hammered four goals past Whitstable Town for the second time this season, giving them their second Ryman South 'double' of the season. For the first time since their return to Step Four football they are unbeaten in four league games, with their seventh win in ten league games taking them to eighth in the table. The scoreline itself flattered the home side, as Justin Luchford's side literally scored with their only two shots on target, whilst on another day Porter's men could have doubled their tally. But that wouldn't have bothered the Hythe support too much as they have now watched their side score eleven goals in the last four games. Hythe settled the better of the two sides and forced several corners in the opening stages, as they enjoyed large amounts of possession inside the home side's half. The first real chance of the afternoon fell to Ronnie Dolan who drilled a low shot just wide from distance after good work by Brendon Cass. A clever switch of play from an Aaron Lacy throw led to John Walker slipping Dolan into the box, the midfielder's initial cross was deflected and cleared off the line, before the same player collected the rebound and looped a half-volley just over the crossbar. Just before the half-hour mark Hythe took a deserved lead, patient build-up from Cass and Kane Rice led to a cross from Nick Reeves that Cass converted at the near-post, the striker's third goal in as many games giving home keeper Dave King no chance. Ten minutes later the visitors extended their lead in the most simple but effective way, a throw-in from Lacy hooked home at the near-post by Dave Cook, the Hythe captain's fourth goal in the last four games. Hythe should have made it a three goal lead a minute before half-time after good build-up from Nick Barnes and Rice, Rice then doing well to beat his man and send in a dangerous cross that Cass scooped wildly over from just six-yards. There was no let up from Porter's troops as two minutes after the restart Rice fired in an audacious strike from thirty-yards that King did brilliantly to turn round his post at full-stretch. Oliver Thompson almost fired into his own net after a driven cross from Rice. The following corner, with Rice again the provider, picked out Cook who headed just over the crossbar at close-range. Again Hythe had a clear chance to extend their lead, Reeves heading down Hassan's corner for Pat Kingwell to fire in a shot that was desperately hooked off the line. Out of nowhere Hythe had a scare, as a quick counter-attack down the right and cross to the back-post picked out ex-Hythe man Damien Abel to drill home his finish back across goal and past Dean Ruddy. However, there is real quality on the Hythe bench at this moment in time, and Whitstable found this out to devastating effect. Three minutes after replacing Cass, ex-Whitstable man Gary Mickelborough received Lacy's throw, turned to beat two men and roll Dolan one on one with King, Dolan making no mistake from twelve yards with a confident finish. The visitors were now after more goals, introducing Craig Thompson and Richard Sinden for the closing stages. Thompson had already gone close thanks to good work from Hassan, and it was that combination again that gave Hythe their fourth goal, Hassan coming off the flank and squaring to Thompson who with his back to goal rolled his man and turned to fire an excellent strike into the top-corner. There was still time for Abel to grab a second consolation, with a dipping free-kick during injury-time. Scorers - Hythe Town - Cass - 28 mins - Cook - 38 mins - Dolan - 71 mins - Thompson - 88 mins - Whitstable Town - Abel - 66, 90+2 mins Hythe Town - Ruddy, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c) (Sinden - 81), Barnes, Hassan, Cass (Mickelborough - 68), Rice (Thompson - 81) - Unused subs - Byrne, Parkinson Man of the Match - Taser Hassan Attendance - 255 Rare Score Draw At Reachfields Hythe Town - 1 - Corinthian-Casuals - 1 Ryman League South - 07/01/12 Hythe Town left their shooting boots at home, as they drew a Ryman South fixture for only the fourth time this season, with one of those previous draws being the same fixture in reverse. Despite enjoying plenty of possession and dominating long periods of play, the home side failed to test visiting keeper Adam Peck as much as they should have, despite creating numerous shooting opportunities within the Corinthian penalty area. Hythe started well, forcing three corners in the first ten minutes, the best of which was only half-cleared to Ronnie Dolan who fired in a half-volley that Peck did well to get behind. The home side should have opened the scoring when a corner from Taser Hassan skipped along the goal-line only to be completely missed by skipper Dave Cook, the one person you would back to score every time in that situation. Two minutes later Cook went close again chasing a lost cause and winning the ball from the last defender, Peck making a brave low save. Jamie Byatt's overhead kick was on target but comfortably saved by Dean Ruddy in the Hythe goal. Just before the half-hour mark, Kane Rice almost scored with a copycat strike of his twenty-five yard goal against Ramsgate the previous Monday, on this occasion the strike was saved, Peck turning the ball around the base of his post. Nick Reeves should have scored minutes later, heading just over unmarked from six-yards, following a Hassan corner. Aaron Lacy's free-kick was flicked on by Thompson, Cook again should have opened the scoring volleying over from eight yards. Two minutes later, Reeves blasted over an unguarded net, after Peck was stranded dealing with an attempted header from Cook. The home side continued to dominate in the closing stages of the half with several corners, but still no breakthrough. Almost inevitably Scott Porter's side were left to rue all of those missed chances, as two minutes into the second-half Dave Hodges fired home at close-range after Ruddy failed to deal with the initial shot from Byatt. Lacy's cross was headed just wide by Reeves, but Porter had seen enough, introducing the previous game's match-winner Brendon Cass along with new signing, the returning Gary Mickelborough. Hassan volleyed just wide as the visitors failed to clear a Lacy throw-in, before Reeves' free-kick across goal was saved well by Peck. Mickelborough should have finished when Hassan's corner fell at his feet, but Hythe were about to find their way back into the game. Kingwell's hooked pass found Cass inside the box, and a clumsy challenge from behind led to a clear penalty that Cass himself confidently passed into the bottom corner. Another free-kick from Reeves flew just wide, and Cook volleyed just over at the end of a Hassan led counter-attack, but Hythe were beginning to live dangerously at the back as Hodges hit the crossbar with an opportunistic volley. The home side wanted all three points, introducing Richard Sinden for John Walker and going three at the back and up top. The game ended in dramatic fashion as Mickelborough again couldn't quite connect at close-range, whilst at the other end Byatt fired a shot agonisingly wide. The final attack of the game came via Dolan, whose cross to the near-post was headed just wide by Sinden, the game destined to end level. Scorers - Hythe Town - Cass - 68 mins (pen) - Corinthian-Casuals - Hodges - 47 mins Hythe Town - Ruddy, Lacy, Walker (Sinden - 80), Kingwell, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson (Cass - 53), Hassan, Rice (Mickelborough - 53) - Unused subs - Byrne, Parkinson Man of the Match - Nick Barnes Attendance - 219 Back On Track Hythe Town - 3 - Ramsgate - 2 Ryman League South - 02/01/12 Hythe Town notched up their seventh win from the last nine games with a 3-2 victory over Ramsgate, as the memory of 'that' game finally begins to fade. Scott Porter's side have done all they could have done since their shocking Boxing Day defeat to neighbours Folkestone Invicta. Two wins, home and away, over local rivals Ramsgate and Faversham Town, with six goals earning six much needed points. Experienced striker Ian Pulman almost gave the visitors an early lead when he slipped behind a high Hythe defensive line to run onto a deflected pass, however Pat Kingwell recovered to make two outstanding blocks. A lively run from Taser Hassan led to a one-two with Craig Thompson, Hassan receiving the return pass and curling a shot just over the bar from the edge of the box. Aaron Lacy's cross was flicked on by skipper Dave Cook to find Thompson just inside the box, the striker looping a half-volley just over the crossbar. Hythe were dominating possession, and beginning to force ex-Hythe man Danny Twyman into some decent saves, Hassan's free-kick met by a flicked header from Thompson that Twyman did well to get down low to and turn around the post. It was Thompson again, who met Kane Rice's driven corner with a snap-shot that deflected before Twyman turned the ball over the bar with a fine reflex save. Five minutes into the second-half the hosts took a deserved lead as Rice picked up an uncleared clearance some twenty-five yards from goal, driving the ball back across goal, low and hard into the bottom corner. Dolan's fizzing drive was well held after more good work from Thompson, but the game was about to be turned on it's head during a crazy few minutes for Porter's side. Firstly a punch from Paul Egan fell straight onto Pulman's foot, the ball returned on the volley back into the unguarded Hythe net. The home side were suddenly very nervy, Pulman allowed to come off the flank and into the Hythe box where Lacy conceded the foul for a penalty that Gareth Cornhill fired home with confidence. Hythe refused to buckle, Hassan surging into the Rams' penalty area, Cornhill undoing his own good work from the penalty spot with a clear foul leading to a Hythe penalty, Cook forcing the ball home under a decent attempted save from Twyman. Scott Porter sensed his chance and made a brave double substitution, introducing Brendon Cass and Richard Sinden in the forward positions in an attempt to win the game once and for all. Six minutes later the move paid off, as Cook did brilliantly to win possession directly from a Twyman clearance and surge forward to the edge of the Ramsgate box. The run of Cass and the pass of Cook took three defenders out of the equation in the blink of an eye, Cass expertly firing the ball past Twyman for the winning goal. The final few minutes saw the visitors take plenty of risks, with even keeper Twyman joining the attack as in the closing stages Lacy made an outstanding goal-line clearance and Cornhill headed just over, the home side holding out for the points. Scorers - Hythe Town - Rice - 50 mins - Cook - 69 mins (pen) - Cass - 75 mins - Ramsgate - Pulman - 61 - Cornhill - 64 mins Hythe Town - Egan, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson (Cass - 69), Hassan (Winfield - 90+2), Rice (Sinden - 69) - Unused subs - Dryden, Parkinson Man of the Match - Taser Hassan Attendance - 309 Hythe Bounce Back With First Double Of The Season Faversham Town - 1 - Hythe Town - 3 Ryman League South - 31/12/11 Hythe Town bounced back from their Boxing Day horror show at Folkestone, with their first double of the season over Ryman League South opponents. Hythe had already defeated their predecessors as Kent league champions 3-0 earlier this season, and spurred on by inspirational skipper Dave Cook and the exciting wing-play of the recalled Kane Rice and Taser Hassan, the full- time score line was achieved by the end of the first-half. The visitors got off to the perfect start that they would have craved, when centre-back Nick Reeves curled home a delightful twenty-five yard free-kick across goal and into the top-right corner. The home side settled with a couple of dangerous corners, but Hythe stood firm, with new Dad Pat Kingwell (congratulations Pat!) flicking a dangerous free-kick from Dave Botterill over his own crossbar to safety. Wingers Rice and Hassan had a great game, and had a real influence over Hythe's bright start to the game. It would be a run into the box from Rice that led to Hythe's second goal. Aaron Lacy's throw flicked on by Cook onto Rice, the winger then dumped inside the box for a clear penalty that Cook smashed home low and hard. Danny Hockton pulled one back for the home side with a towering header at the back-post that gave Paul Egan no chance. However, Hythe's third goal came just after the half-hour mark, as former Lillywhite Richard Sinden did brilliantly to get his body between defender and ball, prompting the Faversham defender into dumping Sinden on the ground in frustration. As a result, Hassan sent in a lovely free-kick to the back-post that Kingwell headed back across goal for Cook to drill home his second goal of the afternoon and Hythe's third. From the restart Sinden again did well to win possession, before Rice took over with a curling effort from distance that flashed just wide, whilst at the other end Hythe survived an almighty goalmouth scramble, following another dangerous delivery from Botterill. The home side finished the half strongly with home captain Tom Hickman flicking the ball onto Justin Ascheri who flashed a low half-volley back across goal and just wide. Hythe should have had a second penalty in first-half injury time when the Referee's Assistant spotted a foul on Rice that the Referee chose to ignore, the man in he middle puzzling many by not even checking with his colleague if he had a better view of the incident. Watchful was the word to describe Hythe's second-half performance, with a very sensible and compact display from the Hythe midfield strangling the life out of the game and preserving Hythe's two goal cushion. Hythe defended well when Ascheri's long throw created another scramble in the Hythe box, before an accidental slip from Reeves allowed Adrian Stone to play Aaron Quain clear down the wing, although the two contrived to waste an excellent position to get back into the game. Scott Porter introduced the fresh legs of Jimmy Dryden, Brendon Cass, and the returning Lee Winfield, as the game ended in frustration for the home side, James Peacock receiving his marching orders for a second caution before skipper Hickman picked up his side's sixth yellow card of the afternoon. Scorers - Hythe Town - Reeves - 4 mins - Cook - 19 mins (pen), 33 mins - Faversham Town - Hockton - 28 mins Hythe Town - Egan, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c), Hassan (Winfield - 71), Thompson (Dryden - 64), Sinden (Cass - 64), Rice - Unused subs - A Porter, Parkinson Man of the Match - Dave Cook Attendance - 182 Boxing Day Blitz! Folkestone Invicta - 8 - Hythe Town - 0 Ryman League South - 26/12/11 Hythe Town received a Boxing Day thrashing from neighbours Folkestone Invicta, as Scott Porter's side received a real lesson in derby day football. A remarkable eight goals flew into the Hythe net without reply, as the visitors froze in spectacular fashion in front of a bumper 1018 attendance. Star of the show for Neil Cugley's men was the outstanding four-goal Stuart King. Who along with his fellow ex-Herne Bay team-mates Darren Marsden and Jack Delo, came back to haunt their old Kent League rivals in the black and amber stripes of Invicta. The warning signs were there after only five minutes when James Everitt headed just wide unmarked from the home side's first corner. Five minutes later Invicta took the lead from their second corner, King flicking home his finish in style across Paul Egan's goal. Hythe settled during a scrappy period of play, but became frustrated as five corners all ended up in the arms of the ultra-confident Delo. With a lack of time on the ball the visitors began to naively over-commit men forward, as a result Invicta were able to find their way to goal with considerable ease in the closing stages of the half, as four goals flew into the Hythe goal in just thirteen painful minutes. Everitt showed his class with a perfectly timed header back across goal into the top corner, before home skipper Darren Smith played a lovely through-ball behind the Hythe defence for King to run clear and stroke home. In between the second and third Folkestone goals, Hythe had a clear penalty turned down as Ronnie Dolan was pulled down in the box by Liam Dickson, but the award of a spot-kick to Hythe would have had no impact on the result of the game. King easily completed his hat-trick, before full-back Josh Vincent got forward to add his side's tally, the ease of Invicta's fourth and fifth goals summing up Hythe's defensive display. In an attempt to restore some pride Scott Porter used half-time to move Pat Kingwell into defence, and introduce Craig Thompson and Taser Hassan in attacking positions. However, after just five second-half minutes of normality King stole the show, with an outrageous half-volley lob from at least thirty-yards, that Egan could only get his fingertips on as the ball sailed into his net. Two minutes later Everitt coolly cut inside his man into the Hythe penalty area for another clinical finish, the home side notching up their sixth goal in just twenty minutes of play either side of half-time. King threatened to add to his tally, hitting the post with an opportunistic volley from Egan's headed clearance. Finally, substitute Michael Everitt flicked home a cheeky finish after a cross from the flank had opened up Hythe for the eighth and thankfully final goal of the afternoon. Scorers - Folkestone Invicta - King - 10, 35, 40, 50 - J Everitt - 32, 52 - Vincent - 45 - M Everitt - 65 Hythe Town - Egan, Lacy, Walker, Parkinson (Thompson - 45), Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes (Rice - 76), Kingwell, Cass, Dryden (Hassan - 45) - Unused subs - Sinden, Allen Attendance - 1018 Hythe Produce Best Performance Of The Season Hythe Town - 1 - Dulwich Hamlet - 0 Ryman League South - 17/12/11 Hythe Town bounced back from their worst result of the season with their best result of the season! Intelligent use of possession throughout, together with a backs to the wall defensive display in the closing stages, produced arguably the best ever league performance by a Scott Porter managed Hythe Town side. Title favourites Dulwich Hamlet were lucky to make it to half-time with the scores still level, as their hosts missed several opportunities to take a first-half lead. Seven minutes into the second-half the Reachfields outfit deservedly went ahead, but after failing to extend their lead the home side had to deal with huge amounts of pressure in the closing stages of the game. Porter's men stuck to the game plan brilliantly as the visitors experienced defeat for only the third time this season, Hythe returning to eighth position in the Ryman League South. After a confident start, Hythe carved out their opening chance, the home side working the ball well from right to left, Jimmy Dryden firing a stunning rising shot back across goal from the edge of the box that Phil Wilson did brilliantly to turn over his crossbar. From the resulting Dryden corner, Tom Parkinson headed down into the six-yard box, Brendon Cass unable to convert at close-range with two attempts to beat Wilson. The lively Dryden's cross was then spilt by Wilson, with skipper Dave Cook unable to readjust his body shape to head home into an unguarded net. Kevin James went close for the visitors, heading just over from a corner, whilst at the other end Nick Reeves curled a twenty-yard free-kick just over. On the half-hour mark Dulwich went very close to taking the lead, Sanchez Ming getting in behind the Hythe defence and crossing to Ishmail Kamara whose goalbound shot was brilliantly blocked by Aaron Lacy. The visitors kept possession and worked the ball back into Hythe's penalty area, Ming hitting another goalbound effort that Cook also did brilliantly to block. Visiting captain Lewis Gonsalves made a crucial interception to take the ball off the head of Pat Kingwell, following another fine cross from Dryden. With an excellent game becoming more and more stretched, Ronnie Dolan tried his luck from distance, Wilson just clutching the ball from the air the right side of his goal-line. On the stroke of half-time a cross from the left was met by a stooping header from Kamara that ran just wide of Egan's goal, as both sides received a warm applause for their first-half efforts. Seven minutes after the restart Hythe made the breakthrough as a throw-in from Lacy was nodded on by Parkinson before being met by a looping header by Cass that gave Wilson no chance. The home side could have doubled their lead just three minutes later, as Dolan carried the ball from half to half, beating two men before shooting low and hard but just wide. Hythe continued to press as a long distance free-kick from Dryden caused panic in the Dulwich box, before 'hitting' keeper Wilson and being hooked clear. Reeves blasted just over from an uncleared throw-in from Lacy before Hythe began to retreat as their title chasing opponents cranked up the pressure in the closing stages. Dulwich almost made it into double figures with second-half corners, and it was from that source that they should have equalised, Kalvin Morath-Gibbs heading just wide from James' corner. Still Hythe threatened as Lacy's free-kick was nodded on by Cook into the path of Dryden, Wilson making a brave save to keep his side in the game. Ming had a definite goal denied by an excellent goal-line clearance from John Walker, after Egan appeared to be taken out in the build-up. The drama continued in injury-time as Kamara's shot deflected onto a Hythe post, before a blistering counter-attack from substitute Kane Rice, took the winger from the edge of one box to another, Wilson making a good low save just before the final whistle. Scorers - Hythe Town - Cass - 52 mins Hythe Town - Egan, Lacy, Walker, Parkinson, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Kingwell (Thompson - 59) - (Sinden - 90+2), Cass, Dryden (Rice - 79) - Unused subs - A Porter, Allen Man of the Match - Brendon Cass Attendance - 261 Hythe Crash To Biggest Defeat Of The Season Worthing - 5 - Hythe Town - 0 Ryman League South - 10/12/11 Hythe Town's winning run came to a sudden end, away to an impressive and clinical Worthing side. The first goal of the afternoon arrived after only six minutes when Tom Lawley squared for captain Tom Manton to fire home, as Hythe failed to react to a well developed attack. The visitors bounced back with two Ronnie Dolan corners, the first tipped over the bar by Alan Mansfield, the second creating a goalmouth scramble, the home side doing well to eventually clear their lines. Captain Dave Cook fired a free-kick just over from twenty-yards, but the hosts were about to double their lead, Lawley slipping the Hythe offside trap to lob home over Paul Egan. Ryan McBride then ran down Egan's next clearance, the ball almost deflecting into the Hythe goal. Lawley soon made it three, getting in behind a badly organised Hythe defensive line to blast home under Egan. Lacy's throw-in was only cleared as far as Thompson whose shot went as far as Tom Parkinson whose shot was then stopped well by Mansfield. Hythe almost secured a lifeline on the stroke of half-time, Dolan volleying his own deflected free-kick against the inside of the post from the edge of the box, the home side again scrambling clear. Hythe made a far better start to the second-half, Dryden lining up Cass for an excellent cross that led to penalty appeals from the visitors for handball. Cook's overhead pass sent Cass clear on goal, but the recovering tackle on the Hythe striker summed up the quality of the home side's defence throughout the afternoon. In the space of two minutes the points were made totally secure by the home side, Jamie Brotherton's excellent free-kick headed home by Mike Huckett. Before straight from the kick-off Huckett won possession and turned provider, McBride with a simple close-range tap-in. Hythe were now just looking for a bit of pride, Cass playing Richard Sinden one on one with keeper Mansfield, the substitute shooting across goal and just wide. In the closing stages Hythe really should have grabbed a consolation, Dryden's corner flashing across goal, half-cleared to Dolan who hit a volley that Mansfield did well to turn round the post. Finally, in injury time Dolan's cross was headed against his own crossbar by McBride. Scorers - Worthing - Manton - 6 mins - Lawley - 22, 26 mins - Huckett - 65 mins - McBride - 66 mins Hythe Town - Egan, Lacy, A Porter (Smith - 35), Parkinson, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c), Rice (Kingwell - 65), Thompson (Sinden - 74), Cass, Dryden - Unused subs - Chandler, Allen Attendance - 237 Up To Eighth As Winning Run Continues Hythe Town - 4 - Whyteleafe - 0 Ryman League South - 06/12/11 Hythe Town comprehensively defeated Whyteleafe to move up to a season high position of eighth in the Ryman League South securing a fourth consecutive win, and a third consecutive Ryman South win, both season best sequences. Talking of sequences, Craig Thompson continued his scintillating form with his seventh goal in as many starts, after only three minutes, with Jimmy Dryden taking his tally to three goals in the last two games, Ronnie Dolan Hythe's other goalscorer on the night. As already mentioned it only took the home side three minutes to open the scoring as Aaron Lacy's throw-in was met by a flicked header from Thompson that hit the back of the net despite a Whyteleafe deflection en-route. After only twelve minutes Hythe had the setback of losing the ever-present Nick Barnes to injury, substitute Ashley Porter lining up in the Hythe defence to release Kane Rice back into a midfield role. That early disruption seemed to take the wind out of Hythe's sails, and with Whyteleafe struggling to build any pressure of their own, a scrappy first-half was played out. Rice's free-kick deflected to skipper Dave Cook who stung the palms of visiting keeper Paul Smith from distance, and it was Rice again whose header sent Thompson clear on goal, Smith doing well to save Thompson's attempted volley. The longer the second half went on the better the game became as a spectacle, six minutes after the restart Jimmy Dryden's free-kick was headed home by Brendon Cass, although the goal would be disallowed for offside. Cass and Cook combined on the counter-attack with Cook eventually playing Thompson in on goal, Smith again doing well to claim the Hythe striker's attempt to lift the ball over the Whyteleafe keeper. With the hour mark approaching more counter-attack football from Hythe led to Cass releasing Dryden into the penalty area, the shot across goal but just wide. Paul Egan reacted well to the first genuine threat on his goal, with a fine reflex save from Fabien Batchelor's headed effort, but Hythe were about to double their lead. Again it was an effective counter-attack from Scott Porter's side, Cass combining on the halfway line with Ashley Porter who did brilliantly to run onto Cass' pass before switching the play to Dryden who from just inside the box drilled home low and across Smith's goal into the bottom corner. In the closing stages Pat Kingwell and Richard Sinden enjoyed run-outs in the Hythe forward line and eventually the fresh legs would tell. Ronnie Dolan slipped Kingwell into the Whyteleafe box to cross to an unmarked Sinden, Smith making another brave claim, before two goals in as many minutes sent the Reachfields crowd home happy. Firstly Dolan pounced on a poor clearance before sprinting into the penalty area to poke home past Smith. Finally a throw-in from Lacy was headed across goal by Kingwell and smashed home by Dryden at close range. Scorers - Hythe Town - Thompson - 3 mins - Dryden - 67, 90+2 mins - Dolan - 90 mins Hythe Town - Egan, Lacy, Rice (Sinden - 67), Parkinson, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes (A Porter - 12), Thompson (Kingwell - 75), Cass, Dryden - Unused subs - Harvey, Allen Man of the Match - Dave Cook Attendance - 152 Three in a Row! Hythe Town - 3 - Merstham - 1 Ryman League South - 03/12/11  It was an afternoon of
impressive numbers and statistics for Hythe
Town, as Scott Porter's side made it three
wins in a row for the first time this
season, moving up to tenth position in the
Ryman League South as a result. Craig
Thompson continued his excellent form with
two more goals, taking his tally to six
goals in six starts, as a Hythe forward
scored a brace of goals for the fourth game
running. The game
began in lively fashion, as two evenly
matched sides began as they intended to
carry on, producing an exciting game with
plenty of positive attacking play. Hythe thought they had taken the lead as early as the eighth minute when Aaron Lacy's throw-in was flicked on by skipper Dave Cook and headed home by Jimmy Dryden, only for a tight offside decision to deny the home side. Brendon Cass dummied a pass from Tom Parkinson that sent Thompson clear on goal, visiting keeper David Wilkinson racing off his line to make a good clearance. Cass then had a decent header saved after good work from Nick Barnes and a cross from Taser Hassan.Hythe fully deserved to take the lead after twenty-two minutes, as the outstanding Nick Reeves weaved his way out of his own half before playing the perfect through-ball to send Cass and Thompson clear on goal, with Wilkinson racing off his line Cass calmly squared the ball to the unmarked Thompson for a routine tap-in. Two minutes after the restart a good cross from Sam Tucknott was met by a decent Roscoe Dsane header that flashed across goal and just wide. The visitors were beginning to stir into life as Dsane turned provider for Liam Wright who entered into the Hythe box before having a driven shot blocked by a last-ditch challenge from Lacy.  Tucknott
blasted wastefully into the Hythe
side-netting at the end of a quick
counter-attack, a miss that would be
punished just minutes later as Cook and
Dryden combined brilliantly down the left,
Dryden crossing for Thompson to grab his
second goal of the afternoon with a firm
header into the top corner. Only a minute
later the home side were caught cold, as
straight from the restart Dsane slipped the
offside trap to dribble round Egan for a
simple finish and a real lifeline for the
visitors. Injuries to defenders John Walker and Tom Parkinson, combined with a renewed effort from the visitors meant that Hythe fell under long periods of pressure during the second-half. However, credit must go to Nick Reeves and his reshuffled defence, who kept the opposition at arms length despite being pinned back in their own half. Harry Ottaway should have done better than heading wide from six-yards on the hour mark. Dsane dropped his shoulder and entered the Hythe box with twenty minutes remaining, although Egan was quick off his line to make a brave save at the feet of the visitor's goalscorer.Egan continued to inspire confidence, palming Liam Thomas' header onto the crossbar as Hythe finally appeared to have weathered the storm. With eight minutes remaining the hosts scored the crucial third goal, Lacy's throw glanced on by Cook, cleared off the line only as far as Dryden who hooked a brilliant volley back across goal and into the top corner. Late substitute Richard Sinden almost set-up a fourth goal, crossing for Cass to flick a header into the arms of Wilkinson, after more good work from Dryden. Match Photos - Courtesy of Simon Giles - Click Here Scorers - Hythe Town - Thompson - 22, 40 mins - Dryden - 82 mins - Merstham - Dsane - 41 mins Hythe Town - Egan, Lacy, Walker (A Porter - 45), Parkinson (Harvey - 51), Reeves, Hassan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson (Sinden - 84), Cass, Dryden - Unused sub - Allen Man of the Match - Nick Reeves Attendance - 203 Cass Back Amongst The Goals Sittingbourne - 1 - Hythe Town - 2 Ryman League South - 26/11/11 Hythe Town produced one of their most impressive performances of the season just when it was needed. Away from home, playing on an uneven pitch, with swirling winds, and with some frustrating decisions to deal with (for both sides) from the man in black. Scott Porter's side produced an ultra-professional performance to take them three points clear of their fellow mid-table opponents. What made it all the more pleasing for those from Reachfields was some of the individual performances, Tom Parkinson in only his second game in a couple of months, alongside the outstanding Nick Reeves at centre-back. Taser Hassan and Kane Rice really finding their feet in the wide positions, and of course, the return of main man Brendon Cass with his first two goals since his injury problems. There was little between the sides in the opening stages with no real chances on goal until eighteen minutes when Joe Goldsmith attempted an ambitious volley from out on the wing that dropped just over Paul Egan's crossbar. Kane Rice's mazy run took him past three men before being dumped on the edge of the box by Jonathon Hogg, the resulting free-kick from Ronnie Dolan just failing to find a tap-in opportunity for Nick Barnes at the near-post. Bryan Glover's curling free-kick ran just wide at the end of a poor first-half of football. Hythe came out for the second-half in the right frame of mind, taking the lead after just two minutes, Aaron Lacy's throw uncleared, causing a handball by Bryan Glover, and a penalty to Hythe that Brendon Cass comfortably slotted home. Nick Barnes and Taser Hassan were now causing problems for the home side down the left as both players delivered successive crosses that were scrambled clear. Hythe were now dominant, and it was no surprise when on the counter-attack Barnes sent Cass clear on goal, Matt Read making an excellent save from the initial shot but powerless to stop a brilliant first-time header on the rebound by Cass that flew into the empty net. Hythe should have extended their lead when substitute Dave Cook headed just wide from Lacy's free-kick. Suddenly, the home side had a lifeline as Dan Palfrey's free-kick across goal was glanced home by Jack Hooper. With five minutes remaining Hythe almost restored their two goal lead as substitute Richard Sinden collected Lacy's throw inside the box, before turning and slamming a shot against the crossbar. There was still time for Luke Girt to force Egan into a fine save with a snap-shot from distance, and for Hythe to survive an almighty goalmouth scramble in injury-time to secure the points. Scorers - Hythe Town - Cass - 47 mins (pen), 61 - Sittingbourne - Hooper - 70 Hythe Town - Egan, Lacy, Walker, Parkinson, Reeves, Dolan, Hassan, Barnes (c), Thompson (Sinden - 64), Cass (Dryden - 79), Rice (Cook - 54) - Unused subs - Kingwell, A Porter Man of the Match - Nick Reeves Attendance - 143 Sinden Brace Seals Date With Ebbsfleet United Hythe Town - 2 - Erith Town - 1 Kent Senior Cup 2nd Round - 22/11/11 Two goals from Richard Sinden meant Hythe Town came from behind against an impressive Erith Town outfit to win this Kent Senior Cup 2nd Round fixture. As a result Scott Porter's side now move onto an attractive quarter-final tie, away to Blue Square Football Conference side Ebbsfleet United. It is sure to be a stern test, as Ebbsfleet defeated Ryman North side Chatham Town 6-1 to also progress. After a lively start from the home side, the visitors took a surprise lead with their first chance on goal. An uncleared free-kick from a deep position taken by Liam Burgess, found it's way to Adam Williams who with his back to goal turned well to finish from twelve yards. Five minutes later Erith Town defender Peter Smith sailed close to receiving a red card, dragging down Sinden from behind just outside the penalty box, when a couple more steps forward from the Hythe man would have represented a clear goalscoring opportunity. Good pressure down the flanks from Taser Hassan and Kane Rice meant that by the twenty-minute mark Hythe had won, but failed to make the most of six corners, a total that would hit double-figures by half-time. Dolan's trademark run from the half-way line to the edge of the Erith box, allowed Rice to overlap into the penalty area and force Kevin Fewell into a good save with a fierce near-post shot. The home side continued to threaten down the flanks with Hassan progressing into the penalty area and having a driven shot saved, Rice with a similar chance deflecting wide. Brendon Cass marked his return to action with an excellent cross to the near-post to pick out Nick Barnes who was guilty of heading wide, unmarked, from six-yards. The goal had been coming, and it was no surprise that the assist came from the flanks, as another long mazy run from Rice led to Sinden converting the winger's low cross at close-range. Again, after dealing with a long period of pressure the impressive Erith forward line carved out a clear chance on goal from limited possession. Alex Tisse getting in behind Hythe down the left on a quick counter-attack and crossing to the unmarked Chris Walker at the back-post, who with the goal at his mercy hit his shot badly wide. The pace of Tisse troubled Hythe several more times in the closing stages of the half, but to be fair to the Hythe defence they stood firm with Paul Egan not forced into any further saves. In fact it was the home side who should have extended their lead, hitting the woodwork twice before the break, Sinden heading Hassan's centre against the crossbar and Nick Reeves' ball into the box deflecting against a post. In the opening stages of the second half, the Erith Town defence and midfield sat much deeper, inviting the home side to break them down. Hythe were having to try their luck from distance, but it would only take nine minutes of the half to take the lead via exactly that method. Hassan's curling shot from just outside the box thumping the inside of the post, Dolan playing the rebound into the path of Sinden to force the ball home at close-range. It was the nature of the game that those in attendance expected Erith to bounce straight back, and they almost did when Burgess hit the crossbar with a twenty-yard free-kick. Substitutions from both sides opened the game back up again, a Dolan burst from the centre-circle leading to Hythe hitting the woodwork for the third time, the midfielder arrowing a low shot against the base of the post. In the final ten minutes the scoreline could have become a 3-2 win for Hythe, Sinden failing to convert a hat-trick after good work from Hassan and Dolan, whilst at the other end Tisse blasted a low shot across goal that Egan did well to palm wide. Scorers - Hythe Town - Sinden - 27, 54 mins - Erith Town - Williams - 9 mins Hythe Town - Egan, A Porter, Walker, Parkinson (Kingwell - 66), Reeves (Smith - 81), Dolan, Hassan, Barnes (c), Sinden, Cass (Thompson - 75), Rice - Unused subs - Cook, Dryden Man of the Match - Ronnie Dolan Attendance - 121 Defensive Collapse Costs Hythe Three Points Hythe Town - 2 - Walton & Hersham - 3 Ryman League South - 19/11/11  Hythe Town
threw three points away in a game they
deservedly led with less than fifteen minutes
to play, but somehow managed to lose. The home
side took the lead on two occasions,
remarkably conceding an equaliser within two
minutes of scoring both their goals. Finally
with six minutes of the game remaining the
visitors took the lead for the first time in
the game to steal the points from Scott
Porter's side. With the signing of winger Kane
Rice and the return of Brendon Cass from
injury, the home crowd anticipated a decent
attacking display as the Hythe substitute
bench once again looked full of attacking
options. Richard Sinden joined Brendon Cass, Taser Hassan, Greg Smith, and also continuing his comeback from injury, Tom Parkinson, on the bench. Jimmy Dryden moved up front with Craig Thompson as Kane Rice and Ronnie Dolan lined up on the flanks. It was Hythe that got off to a dream start, as after eight minutes an Aaron Lacy throw ran straight through the Walton & Hersham penalty box to the the back-post where Thompson slotted home in precise fashion. Two minutes later the visitors were back level, as Pat Kingwell was adjudged to have handled the ball in the Hythe penalty box, Daniel Morris planting the resulting spot-kick into the top-right corner, giving Paul Egan, starting in place of the injured Kieron Mann, no chance at all. Hythe had penalty shouts of their own turned down as visiting keeper Rodney Chiweshe seemed to clumsily come through the back of Hythe skipper Dave Cook.  Dolan made an excellent
run down the left, before picking out Thompson
for a flicked header just over the bar. With
the half-hour mark approaching Michael Gordon
slipped the Hythe offside trap to roll the
ball past Egan, Pat Kingwell making an
outstanding recovery to clear the ball off the
line at the last possible moment. The game was
wide open as Rice picked out Dryden who in
turn played a delightful dinked throughball to
send Thompson clear on goal, Chiweshe making
an excellent low block with his leg. Graeme Purdy was lucky to escape a red card following a poor challenge on Rice, before on the stroke of half-time Shaun Elliott arrived late to blast a shot that deflected off Cook and looped just over the Hythe crossbar. Hythe lost their captain to injury two minutes into the second-half with Hassan joining the action and Dolan moving back into the centre of midfield. In the opening stages of the second-half the home side enjoyed long periods of possession but were just lacking with the final ball. Rice came off the flank to beat three men before having a driven shot deflected wide, from the resulting corner Nick Barnes had a double shot save by Chiweshe. Egan then kept his side in the game with two decent low saves, from Morris and then Gordon, as the visitors started to get the better of the Hythe offside trap. However, just when his team needed it the outstanding Thompson conjured up a goal out of nothing, created from sheer hard-work and determination. Not for the first time in his Hythe career, Thompson charged down the opposition goalkeeper forcing a rushed and sliced clearance that hit the body of the Hythe striker. With Chiweshe caught outside his box Thompson simply took a touch, looked up, and curled home a glorious lobbed finish from thirty-five yards to send Reachfields into mass celebrations.  What happened next
literally left the goalscorer in a heap on the
ground in the centre-circle, as all his hard
work was undone. Two minutes later, Hythe
failed to clear their lines as Dan Sintim
pounced on a loose ball to fire home the
equaliser. Before a winning goal that stunned
the home crowd, a poor routine defensive
clearance was picked up and played back into
the feet of substitute Phil Williams, who
chipped home his finish to claim all three
points. Inevitably it was Thompson who went
closest to a dramatic equaliser in the closing
stages, but there was to be no hat-trick for
Thompson.Match Photos - Courtesy of Simon Giles - Click Here Scorers - Hythe Town - Thompson - 8, 76 mins - Walton & Hersham - Morris - 10 mins - Sintim - 78 mins - Williams - 84 mins Hythe Town - Egan, A Porter, Lacy, Kingwell, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c) (Hassan - 47), Barnes, Thompson, Dryden (Sinden - 65), Rice (Cass - 80) - Unused subs - Smith, Parkinson Man of the Match - Craig Thompson Attendance - 252 Hawks Victorious Over Stubborn Hythe Whitehawk - 1 - Hythe Town - 0 Ryman League South - 12/11/11 A stubborn performance against an impressive looking Whitehawk side ended in close defeat for Scott Porter's Hythe. New signing Kane Rice showed his pace and skill on the flank, however a goal after only two minutes from the home side gave the visitors an uphill struggle for most of the afternoon. Hythe made the worst possible start to a tough days work, conceding the only goal of the afternoon after just two minutes. Jerahl Hughes getting in behind the visitors down the right hand side and sending a dangerous low cross through the six-yard box that James Fraser converted at close-range. Although the home side enjoyed the majority of possession throughout, Hythe's 4-5-1 formation largely frustrated their hosts with chunks of the game passing without involvement from the goalkeepers of either side. It wasn't until the half-hour mark that either side truly threatened again with John Walker's free-kick met by Dave Cook, and saved comfortably by Chris Winterton, whilst at the over end Hughes went close to nipping in with a back-post header. The half ended with Hythe finding their feet, in an attacking sense, a good counter-attack led by Rice and then Nick Barnes, found Ronnie Dolan on the edge of the box who sent a half-volley just wide. On the stroke of half-time a free-kick from Rice caused an almighty goalmouth scramble, with Cook, Jimmy Dryden, and Nick Reeves, all having close-range shots blocked. Hythe came out for the second-half in a more adventurous mood, Rice popping up on the edge of the box and surprising Winterton with a near-post strike. On the hour-mark Paul Egan took his place in the Hythe goal due to an injury to Kieron Mann, whilst a spate of bookings and injuries broke up the game for both sides. Next the home side enjoyed a real purple-patch, with Hythe defending well to stay in the game. Fraser's free-kick almost slithered over the line, Egan doing well to hold on after the initial save, before Josh Jones curled a free-kick just wide. Joe Gatting then slipped the dangerous Hughes in in goal, but his final shot rolled across goal and just wide. Moments later a rising shot from the same player forced Egan into a smart save at the near-post. With the introduction of some dangerous looking substitutions the home side were always a threat in the closing stages. However Hythe made their own changes, with the introduction of Richard Sinden and Taser Hassan, the visitors reverting to a 4-4-2 formation in the attempt to grab a point. In the closing stages Sinden did well to beat his man down the right, before crossing to the near-post where Thompson's shot deflected just wide. Hythe came the closest to an equaliser in injury-time when Dolan's twenty-yard free-kick whistled just wide with Winterton well beaten. Scorers - Whitehawk - Fraser - 2 mins Hythe Town - Mann (Egan - 60), A Porter, Walker, Harvey, Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson, Rice (Sinden - 76), Dryden (Hassan - 76) - Unused subs - Cass, Parkinson Man of the Match - Ashley Porter Attendance - 103 Deserved Point Earned At Corinthian-Casuals Corinthian-Casuals - 1 - Hythe Town - 1 Ryman League South - 09/11/11 Hythe Town claimed a hard-earned and deserved point on another tough midweek visit to Corinthian-Casuals. On paper this was probably a point gained, away from home to a side above them in the table. However, on the balance of play Scott Porter's side will probably feel that a point was the least they deserved. Hythe created the first chance of the evening after four minutes, John Walker switching play to Ronnie Dolan on the right who in turn picked out Richard Sinden on the edge of the box. With Sinden fouled just outside the penalty area, skipper Dave Cook stepped up for the free-kick and forced Matt Mann into a decent save. More good work from Dolan and Cook forced a corner that Dolan took only for Nick Reeves to head just wide. Hythe's best chance of the half came just two minutes later as Craig Thompson chased down Cook's through ball and forced Mann into a rushed clearance, Dolan picked up the ball some forty-five yards from the open goal, his opportunistic strike falling just wide of the unguarded net. Hythe continued to apply the pressure as Nick Barnes had a shot deflect just wide and Thompson forced Mann into a near-post save after more good work from Dolan. A guided header from Jimmy Dryden almost sent Sinden clear on goal, with the final shot deflected just wide. With just under ten minutes to half-time the visitors were caught with a sucker-punch as the home side scored with their first strike on goal. A poor defensive clearance was quickly returned to Joel Thompson who slipped the Hythe offside trap to lob home a shock opening goal. From the restart Thompson had an almost identical chance, a goal-line clearance preventing an instant equaliser. With a few minutes to half-time Vaheed Vankhou amazingly escaped a red card after dangerously tripping John Walker off the ball with his hands, after taking exception to a firm but fair tackle. Moving into the second-half Dolan created the fist chance for he visitors, beating Dave Hodges and crossing to Cook at the near-post, who took the ball in his stride before having his shot smothered by Mann. At the other end an impressive counter-attack ended with substitute Steve Barrili forcing Kieron Mann into a brave low save. With twenty-five minutes remaining Ashley Porter's through ball sent Cook and Sinden clear on goal, Cook poking his shot just wide at full-stretch. Two minutes later Hythe came even closer to an equaliser as Dryden curled a twenty-yard free-kick against the crossbar. Whilst Kieron Mann kept the home side frustrated with another decent save from Jamal Carr. Moving into the final fifteen minutes Scott Porter replaced Craig Thompson with Taser Hassan, moving Dryden into the frontline. It would be Hassan who would strike the deserved equaliser, as with seven minutes remaining, running across goal, the winger fired in a low arrowed finish from twenty-five yards that gave Mann no chance. Both sides seemed to be happy to settle for a point, although there was a nervy moment in injury-time as Laurence Harvey had to clear a cross narrowly over his own crossbar. Scorers - Hythe Town - Hassan - 83 mins - Corinthian-Casuals - Thompson - 36 mins Hythe Town - Mann, A Porter, Walker, Kingwell (Harvey - 45), Reeves, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson (Hassan - 75), Sinden, Dryden - Unused subs - Egan, Smith, Chandler Man of the Match - Ronnie Dolan Attendance - 83 Hythe Fightback Almost Earns Replay Bury Town - 3 - Hythe Town - 2 F.A Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round - 05/11/11 An excellent second-half performance from Scott Porter's side almost earned a deserved replay with their Ryman Premier opponents. After fighting back from 1-0 and 3-1 down the visitors finished the game totally on top of their opponents, coming desperately close to a dramatic equaliser in the closing stages. The first chance of the afternoon fell to the home side, Kieron Mann making a good save from Lee Reed's driven effort in a crowded area. Hythe's man in form, Ronnie Dolan, was soon beating left-back Elliott Hunter and crossing to the back-post where Jimmy Dryden volleyed wide. A sloppy goal put the visitors behind after fourteen minutes, as a deep free-kick from Daniel Cunningham was allowed to bounce in the Hythe six-yard box, Tom Bullard appearing to head home the opening goal of the game, however Cunningham was awarded the goal by the home side. Cunningham then went close again as the impressive Kieran Leabon provided the assist. The same combination set-up Cunningham for a rising shot just over the Hythe bar, however Hythe were about to strike back with a fine counter-attack goal. John Walker, who's cross-field passing was excellent throughout, switched the play on the break to Dolan. The Hythe wide man glided past Hunter into the Bury Town box before pulling back for Craig Thompson to confidently fire home from just inside the box. The second and third goals of the afternoon for the home side both came at key times. Two minutes after the Hythe equaliser the hosts regained the lead, Sam Reed cutting into the Hythe box and confidently firing home a low finish at the end of a counter-attack from a Dolan corner, that Dave Cook had actually come within a whisker of heading home. After a tough first-half the visitors came out as the better side after the break, and if not for a cruelly-timed wonder strike would have taken their Ryman Premier hosts back to Reachfields for a Tuesday night replay. Just five minutes into a half that Scott Porter's side ended up dominating, Sam Reed struck his second goal of the afternoon, on the volley, from twenty-five yards, a goal that gave Mann no chance at all in the Hythe goal. Hythe were not fazed by the third goal from the home side, and went on to play their best football of the afternoon. Dryden flashed a shot across goal after Thompson had drawn Marcus Garnham off his line, whilst at the other end Reed's flicked effort produced a fine save from Mann. With twenty-five minutes remaining Hythe scored a deserved second, Thompson running down a lost cause and forcing keeper Garnham into conceding a corner. After earning the corner for his side, Thompson was totally deserving when volleying home at the back-post directly from a Dolan corner. Five minutes later Hythe came within inches of an equaliser, Richard Sinden's outstretched boot just missing Dryden's looping cross. Dryden's shot hit the side-netting, as Porter made the attacking substitution of Taser Hassan for Greg Smith, whilst the visitors were reverting to a 4-5-1 formation. Hythe went agonisingly close to an equaliser in the final ten minutes, Cook and Hassan both having close-range volleys blocked from a Dolan cross. Dolan sent Thompson one on one, but unfortunately for Hythe Sinden showed too much interest in an offside position and the Hythe attack was brought to an end. There was still time for a long-throw from Dryden to find Cook at the back-post, the Hythe skipper's volley blocked at close-range. When penalty shouts for handball were turned down in injury-time it became apparent it was not to be Hythe's day, the visitors applauded from the pitch for their efforts at the end of the game. Scorers - Hythe Town - Thompson - 34, 65 mins - Bury Town - Cunningham - 14 mins - Reed - 36, 50 mins Hythe Town - Mann, Smith (Hassan - 80), Walker, Harvey, Thompson, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Sinden, Kingwell, Dryden - Unused subs - A Porter, Chandler, Egan Man of the Match - Craig Thompson Attendance - 302 Kingwell Brace Seals Stunning Comeback Crawley Down - 2 - Hythe Town - 3 Ryman League South - 29/10/11 Stand in striker Pat Kingwell scored an outstanding three minute brace to seal three deserved points for Scott Porter's depleted squad. Richard Sinden also hit a high-quality strike as a reshuffled Hythe showed excellent qualities to twice come from behind in a game they actually dominated. Luke Blewden punished Hythe for a slow start with his third minute strike, and again surprised the visitors with a strike from distance a minute before half-time. With Craig Thompson and Jimmy Dryden serving suspensions, Brendon Cass and Tom Parkinson still recovering from long-term injuries, it wasn't ideal that this week the club went their separate ways from Lloyd Blackman and Lee Winfield. However, Scott Porter moved quickly in the build-up to this game to sign highly-rated central defender Nick Reeves, allowing Kingwell to revert to his original position of centre-forward and cover the striker crisis. Hythe's Vice-Captain responded in exceptional fashion to turn the game on it head on the hour mark. Blewden grabbed that opening goal with a poachers finish, after Kieron Mann had made an excellent full-stretch save from the header of Gabriel Odumaike. Hythe responded immediately with Nick Barnes winning possession and finding Kingwell, whose cross was volleyed goalbound from the edge of the box by Dave Cook, Mark Zawadski making a fine low save. Aaron Lacy combined with the outstanding Ronnie Dolan, the youngster flashing a dangerous cross right through a crowded penalty-box. Hythe were really pinning the hosts in as Kingwell delivered a near identical cross to Dolan, before Dolan's free-kick found its way to Kingwell on the penalty-spot, Conner Saunders making an excellent close-range block. With the half-hour mark passing Barnes fed Sinden on the counter-attack, with both centre-backs in close attention the striker hit an unstoppable twenty-yard volley that surprised all in attendance, including home keeper Zawadski. Sinden should have doubled both his and Hythe's tally two minutes later, Zawadski making the save after Barnes again provided the assist. Dolan almost scored a goal of the season contender, beating three men single-handedly, before Sinden and Kingwell combined to find Dolan bursting into the six-yard box, forcing Zawadski into another excellent save albeit from an offside position. After a long period of continuous pressure from the visitors, Crawley Down spent the final moments of the half applying pressure to the Hythe goal. Mann did well to turn Jack Page's downwards header over the bar, but could do nothing to prevent Blewden's second goal of the afternoon, a driven low effort across goal and out of the reach of the Hythe keeper. Zawadski continued his man of the match display for the home side, making a brilliant close-range save from a Cook header, after Nick Reeves had headed a Lacy throw back across goal. Moving into the second-half Dolan continued to influence the proceedings with a run and cross from the right that sent Kingwell clear on goal, a heavy first-touch ending the goalscoring opportunity. Kingwell turned provider, sending Sinden one on one, Zawadski saving again from the attempted lob. The home defence were really struggling to cope with Kingwell and it was no surprise when a combination of pace and strength took him clear on goal from Dolan's pass to expertly round Zawadski and calmly fire home from close-range. A minute or so later and the turnaround was complete, Dolan with the free-kick, and Sinden with the flick to set-up Kingwell for an outrageous lob to catch Zawadski off his line. The home side continued to spend long spells camped in their own-half as Hythe enjoyed some of their best football of the season. Taser Hassan had a penalty shout turned down and Kingwell flashed a volley just wide before the pressure told again with substitute Hassan Nyang handling in the box for a Hythe penalty. Zawadski continued to shine for the home side, saving Cook's driven effort to keep his side in with a chance of some points. However, with the exception of an almighty goalmouth scramble when the Hythe defence stood firm, the three points were never really threatened as Porter's reshuffled side sealed an excellent win. Scorers - Hythe Town - Sinden - 32 mins - Kingwell - 57, 59 mins - Crawley Down - Blewden - 3, 44 mins Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy (A Porter - 71), Walker, Reeves, Harvey, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Kingwell, Sinden, Hassan - Unused subs - Smith, Chandler Man of the Match - Ronnie Dolan Attendance - 70 Late Dolan Strikes Seals First Ever Trophy Win Hythe Town - 1 - Burgess Hill Town - 0 F.A. Trophy 1st Qualifying Round - 22/10/11  Hythe
Town secured their first ever F.A Trophy win
with a dramatic 94th minute winner from Ronnie
Dolan. Burgess Hill Town clearly remembered the
fact that the home side had battled back from
3-0 down in the league game between these two
sides only a month ago, almost securng a point
after a two goal fightback. With that in mind it
was obvious that a Tuesday night replay was the
priority for the visitors. Hythe dominated the
first-half without really testing keeper Joel
Harding, but after a frustrating and incident
filled second-half Dolan grabbed that late
winner. Throughout the game Dolan clearly had
the beating of left-back Akwasi Edusei, it was
perhaps a disappointment that Scott Porter's
side didn't find the young midfielder in space
on a more regular basis. Dolan beat Edusei for the
first time after fifteen minutes, crossing to
the back-post where Jimmy Dryden couldn't quite
convert his back-post header. Aaron Lacy's throw
was flicked on by Laurence Harvey, Richard
Sinden forcing Harding into a close-range save.
Sinden and Dave Cook almost worked an opening for the Hythe skipper to burst into the visitors box, before Cook headed across goal but just wide following a raking Lacy free-kick. Lacy's next cross, from the wing, almost caught Harding by surprise just landing on the roof of the net after catching in the wind. Sinden's flick also surprised Harding, following a John Walker througball, with Cook close to converting the rebound. With half-time approaching Dolan won a lost cause down the flank, before crossing to Sinden whose near-post header was cleared to safety, however Dolan had the ball straight back in the box, Dryden choosing to head back across goal when a goal seemed certain. Right on half-time Lacy's throw was only cleared as far as Harvey, whose volley towards the top-right hand corner was caught well by Harding. Two minutes into the second-half Hythe should have taken the lead, Nick Barnes throughball sending Sinden clear on goal, the striker's shot back across goal blocked by the feet of Harding.  Sinden went close again in
an almighty goalmouth scramble following a Lacy
throw, but with the visitors showing no signs of
going for a winner a frustrating half developed
for the home side. With four minutes of normal
time remaining George Hayward received a
straight red card for a late challenge, and with
that Hythe switched to three at the back, with
Dave Cook pushed forward. Considering the eight
minutes the physios spent on the pitch during
the second-half, along with five substitutions,
it was quite alarming that only four minutes of
injury time was signalled for, thankfully for
Hythe they would only need the four minutes.
Dolan's cross was laid off by substitute Lloyd
Blackman, Harvey volleying just over, before at
the other end Kieron Mann made the one and only
excellent save he had to make, at the feet of
Jones Awuah, but Hythe's late winner was close.
Substitute Taser Hassan crossed from the left,
Cook with his back to goal kept possession,
before finding the unmarked Dolan to slot home
at the back-post and seal a deserved victory!Match Photos Courtesy of Simon Giles - Click Here Scorers - Hythe Town - Dolan - 90+4 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Harvey, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Dryden (Blackman - 72), Sinden, Winfield (Hassan - 62) - Unused subs - A Porter, Smith, Egan Man of the Match - Ronnie Dolan Attendance - 201 Hythe Town Exit League Cup On Penalties Corinthian Casuals - 1 - Hythe Town - 1 (Corinthian Casuals win 5-4 on penalties) Championship Manager League Cup 2nd Round - 18/10/11 Hythe Town exit this years Championship Manager League Cup at the Second Round stage, losing on penalties to Corinthian Casuals. The lush playing surface led to both teams playing some decent football, with Hythe producing an excellent first-half performance, although the visitors were probably guilty of not converting some good chances to add to Dave Cook's penalty. In the second-half the home side showed some of the quality that has led them to their decent league position, deservedly gaining an equaliser to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out and eventual victory. After a scrappy start to proceedings the hosts had their first and best chance of the half. Kieron Mann making a brilliant double save, firstly from Jamal Carr, Mann clawing the shot back from behind his head, before saving the rebound from Steve Goddard. An excellent flicked header from Jimmy Dryden found Richard Sinden who got his head up before firing a scorching shot just wide from twenty-yards. Despite coming up against another pacy looking forward line, the longer the half went on the more Hythe found confidence with their passing game on the decent playing surface. Sinden rolled his marker again before firing a low shot just wide. Aaron Lacy and Greg Smith's crossing was causing problems for the home side with one Lacy cross finding Sinden unmarked, who headed over the bar from just six yards. Lacy's throw was then flicked on at the near post by Dryden with just a tap-in required as the ball ran across the six-yard box. Hythe took the lead on the half-hour mark when Tommy Williams was adjudged to have handled a Dryden shot in the penalty box, skipper Dave Cook slamming home from the penalty spot for his ninth goal of the season. Scott Porter's side were now growing into the game as successive crosses from Smith saw Sinden go close, the second centre from the young full-back almost dropping in at the back post. To their credit the home side started the second-half strongly with Danny Green's free-kick curling just wide, before Gavin Quintyne's swerving drive produced an excellent full-stretch save from substitute goalkeeper Paul Egan. Hythe were now playing on the counter-attack with Cook surging forward and sending Sinden clear into the box, who in turn couldn't quite pick out an unmarked Dryden at the back-post. The home side were now enjoying more possession in the Hythe half and grabbed a deserved equaliser with just under twenty minutes remaining, Joel Thompson rolling off his man into the box and firing a fine half-volley past Egan. There were some edgy moments in the closing stages with both sides looking like they wanted to avoid the inevitable penalty shoot-out. Neither side could make the breakthrough so the tie was to be decided from the penalty spot. For the home side it was full-marks as Danny Green, Gavin Quintyne, Steve Goddard, Jamal Carr and Byron Brown all finished with confidence, not allowing Paul Egan a sniff of a saving opportunity. For Hythe, Dave Cook, Taser Hassan, Lloyd Blackman, and Jimmy Dryden fired home, unfortunately for Nick Barnes, Danny Bracken made an excellent low save for Hythe's second penalty, a save that eventually won the game. Scorers - Hythe Town - Cook - 31 mins (pen) - Corinthian Casuals - Thompson - 72 mins Hythe Town - Mann (Egan - 45), A Porter, Smith (Hassan - 64), Kingwell, Harvey, Walker, Cook (c), Barnes, Dryden, Sinden (Blackman - 71), Lacy - Unused subs - Thompson, Dolan Man of the Match - Ashley Porter Attendance - 40 Sinden Strikes On Debut Hythe Town - 1 - Chipstead - 1 Ryman League South - 15/10/11 Hythe Town and Chipstead ground out a 1-1 draw at Reachfields, as Richard Sinden scored on his second debut in a Hythe shirt. After recent results the visitors seemed the more confident side, but as the game progressed it was Scott Porter's Hythe that warmed to the task, and in the closing stages struck the opening goal via Sinden. In the final minutes of the game Chipstead again found their better football and Rob Watkins tapped home as Hythe failed to clear their lines in the 90th minute. The home side had carved out the opening chance of the game as Sinden and Craig Thompson slipped the Chipstead offside trap, Sinden latching onto Jimmy Dryden's through-ball and crossing into the six-yard box where Thompson couldn't quite connect for a certain goal. After that the visitors really found their stride, Andrew Dalhouse getting in behind the Hythe defense but dragging his shot just wide. Twice in quick succession the impressive Jason Brown went close at the back-post, firstly just missing Alex Wilks' centre, before shortly after forcing Kieron Mann into a good low save following a header from a Bruce Hogg cross. Already playing the game without the top scorers from both this and last season, injured striker Brendon Cass, and suspended skipper Dave Cook, Hythe then received the further blow of the influential Ronnie Dolan finishing the game injured after just twenty-four minutes. Despite this they grew into the contest with Nick Barnes and Dryden beginning to see more of the ball. Aaron Lacy's uncleared throw was volleyed into Martin Grant's arms by Laurence Harvey, before Lee Winfield's curling free-kick from twenty-yards forced Grant into a far more impressive save. Hythe continued to push on, but were frustrated by a poor offside decision when Thompson was sent clear on goal by Dryden. The visitors were a threat with their dangerous crossing from the first whistle to the last, Brown flashing a cross across the Hythe six-yard box, before minutes later forcing Kingwell into a goal-line clearance with a similar centre. Moving into the second-half Hythe began to find their feet, although there were alarm bells five minutes after the restart when Marcus Elliott latched onto John Walker's clearance to cannon a half-volley off the Hythe crossbar. Winfield's free-kick was headed back across goal by Dryden, Thompson unable to convert at close-range, before Dryden himself tested Grant with a decent header from a Lacy corner. The game was beginning to stretch as Alex Wilks latched onto a clever angled through-ball, Mann having to make an outstanding one on one save, Kingwell following up to clear the danger. Grant made a brave save to block Thompson's close-range effort from Dryden's inswinging free-kick, but Hythe were about to take the lead. Lacy's corner was met by the header of Kingwell, Sinden smuggling home a trademark finish at close-range to score on his second debut, just as he did on his original debut! Hythe seemed to be holding on for victory, but the visitors moved to three at the back for the final minutes and forced the equaliser. Mann made another good save from Hogg's free-kick, before making a brave clearance as Elliott chased down a poor back-pass. However, there was nothing the Hythe keeper could do to stop Watkins poking home an uncleared free-kick in the final minute of normal time. Reachfields breathed a sigh of relief in injury-time as the referee waved away penalty claims from Elliott. Scorers - Hythe Town - Sinden - 76 mins - Chipstead - Watkins - 90 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell (c), Harvey, Dolan (Hassan - 24), Dryden, Barnes, Thompson (Blackman - 77), Sinden, Winfield - Unused subs - Smith, A Porter, Egan Man of the Match - Kieron Mann Attendance - 220 Signs Of Progress Against Title Favourites Dulwich Hamlet - 1 - Hythe Town - 0 Ryman League South - 11/10/11 An outstanding backs to the wall performance from Scott Porter's side almost saw Hythe Town grab a point from a very impressive Dulwich Hamlet side. Going into this game Hythe's hosts led the Ryman League South table with an unbeaten record of seven wins and two draws. During the opening exchanges you could see why, as Hythe found themselves under wave after wave of lightning quick attacking football. The first chance of the game fell to Frankie Sawyer who fired an arrowed shot just over, whilst for Hythe a nice one-two between Craig Thompson and Dave Cook allowed both players a shot on goal. On the counter-attack Sol Patterson-Bonner burst into the Hythe box forcing Kieron Mann into an excellent low save. On the half-hour mark Ronnie Dolan, Nick Barnes, and skipper Cook combined to release Lee Winfield into the box whose shot was scrambled clear. Hythe had their chances in the opening stages, but it was their defensive performance that took the eye, as they dealt with long periods of possession from the home side deep in their own half due to the quick and skilful Dulwich forward line. With ten minutes to half-time Patterson-Bonner pounced on a loose ball down the right before flashing a dangerous low cross across the Hythe six-yard box that only needed a touch from a Dulwich man for the first goal of the evening. Five minutes before half-time both sides could have taken the lead, Kevin James' free-kick curled just over the Hythe crossbar, before the visitors had a goal disallowed. Aaron Lacy's uncleared throw was cleared off the boot of Jimmy Dryden as far as John Walker whose driven effort was collected and converted by Craig Thompson, only for the offside flag to be raised. Moving into the second-half, and the opposition full-backs had become full-time wingers as Karvin Morath-Gibbs's shot stung the palms of Mann, the Hythe keeper seeing the shot late. Moments later the impressive Mu Mann's shot rose just over the Hythe crossbar from a tight angle. Some disappointing behaviour from a Dulwich forward went unpunished as the man in black waved away penalty appeals, although he was well within his rights to show a second yellow card to Jimmy Dryden moments later. The red card inevitably shook Hythe's solidity long enough to allow the opposition the chance to grab a winning goal. Four minutes after the flashpoint Sanchez Ming volleyed home low and hard following a cross from the left, Mann having made another good save from Patterson-Bonner. With five minutes remaining the visitors went so close to a dramatic equaliser, Cook heading Lacy's free-kick against the underside of the Dulwich crossbar, the home side scrambling the ball clear to make the three points safe. Scorers - Dulwich Hamlet - Ming - 69 mins Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Harvey, Dolan (Hassan - 76), Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson (Blackman - 51), Dryden, Winfield - Unused subs - A Porter, Smith, Egan Man of the Match - On a night where the entire Hythe side deserve a mention for their performance, Pat Kingwell gets the vote... Attendance - 289 The Cass & Cook Combination Hythe Town - 2 - Croydon Athletic - 1 Ryman League South - 08/10/11 Scott Porter was delighted as his main marksmen secured Hythe Town's first ever Ryman South win at Reachfields on a Saturday! The Hythe faithful have been treated to some entertaining performances this season, but the three points had to be the priority against Croydon. Thankfully, Reachfields witnessed both an excellent win and performance, as Porter's top goalscorers from last season struck in trademark fashion to secure a fourth league win. Nick Barnes had a couple of early sights of goal, with Rob Carter firing just wide for the visitors in the opening exchanges. The real chances began to flow after ten minutes, as good bravery from Dave Cook led to a low driven shot from Ronnie Dolan that Dave King did well to turn round his post. Moments later Aaron Lacy's free-kick fell into the path of Brendon Cass whose first-time shot was again beaten away by King. Hythe deservedly took the lead after seventeen minutes, a long throw from Lacy brilliantly flicked on by Craig Thompson before a trademark close-range volley from Cass gave King no chance. To their credit the visitors stood firm, with some time passing before the next chance on goal for the home side. On the half-hour mark Thompson and Cass did well to hunt down possession on the corner of the Croydon box, the ball sitting up for Thompson to hit a stunning looping volley off the crossbar. Thompson then turned provider to send Lee Winfield surging into the box, the midfielder's angled shot blocked away to safety. With only four minutes to go until half-time, the visitors had a lifeline when a curling free-kick was saved low by Paul Egan, but only into the path of Croydon skipper Jon Cartledge for a simple close-range tap-in. The second-half began with a far more even split of possession, as Hythe did well to deal with the increased pressure in their own half. Dolan again went close from distance, after good work from Cass and Winfield. A crazy decision from the officials arrived on the hour mark as Cass' run onto John Walker's clearance led to him being cynically dragged down from behind by the last Croydon defender. Neither official with a view of the incident spotted an obvious foul and inevitable red card for the Croydon man. At the other end Justin Hemmings let Hythe off, dribbling into the box before shooting just wide, the game becoming stretched as Lacy's throw was flicked on by Cook, Dryden driving a low shot across goal and just wide. A nice piece of skill from substitute Taser Hassan sent Cook clear on goal to poke the ball through keeper King's legs, the ball running away from the unfortunate Hythe captain. Walker sent Hassan one on one, but the winger's volley was well over the Croydon crossbar. Hythe were now looking good for the winner, Hassan with a strong run and cross to the back-post, Dryden close to converting. Finally the winning goal arrived for the home side, as Winfield's corner was met by a superb glancing header from Cook that flew past King into the net. An excellent save from Egan secured the points with just two minutes remaining, as the Hythe keeper tipped over a dipping header from England. Scorers - Hythe Town - Cass - 17 mins - Cook - 78 mins - Croydon Athletic - Cartledge - 41 mins Hythe Town - Egan, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Harvey, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson (Dryden - 60), Cass (Hassan - 64), Winfield (Blackman - 81) - Unused subs - A Porter, Mann Man of the Match - John Walker Attendance - 235 Improved Hythe Not Enough To Overcome Stones Maidstone United - 2 - Hythe Town - 0 Ryman League South - 05/10/11 A much improved performance from Scott Porter's Hythe Town was not enough to overcome a well organised and well drilled Maidstone United side. The Stones look to be on a par with the stronger sides Hythe have come up against so far this season, and move up to second in the table following this victory. After a tight, well contested first-half where Hythe just about shaded the better chances on goal, the home side came out with a much improved second-half display to earn the points. However, at only 1-0 down and with eight minutes remaining Dave Cook had hit the post for Hythe, before minutes later a breakaway second was conceded as Porter's side pushed forward to try and grab a last minute equaliser. The first chance of the game fell to the impressive Alex Flisher of Maidstone, who curled a good shot just wide from the edge of the box. Craig Thompson had the first sight of goal in a Hythe shirt, with a near-post volley blocked at close range after a good cross from Ronnie Dolan. John Walker's clearance sent Thompson clear on goal but Charlie Mitten was quick off his line to clear the danger, however Hythe were beginning to frustrate the home support, winning good possession inside the Maidstone half. Brendon Cass combined well with Thompson who was again tackled well when bursting into the home side's penalty box. The Stones had been a threat all half on the counter-attack, but Paul Egan had been mainly untested. A dangerous free-kick from Jimmy Humphris flashed dangerously across the Hythe six yard box, whilst at the opposite end Cook drilled a low shot just wide. The best chance of the half for either side came ten minutes before half-time, Lee Winfield's free-kick headed against the post by Cass just six yards from goal. The second-half continued in a similar even fashion, Cook drilling a low shot across goal and just wide, however Maidstone were about to move through the gears and play their best football of the game. Alex Flisher made an outstanding run down the left, crossing to the near post, Paul Egan making a brave save from Shaun Welford's close range header. Minutes later Welford went close again from a Baff Addae centre, Pat Kingwell blocking the header. Unfortunately, from the resulting corner Hythe put the ball into their own net to gift their hosts the lead. With fifteen minutes to go Egan made an excellent save from Jimmy Humphries' rising close-range shot, following more good work from Flisher. The home side were now well on top, hitting the woodwork before Laurence Harvey made an excellent block from Sam Bewick's goalbound shot. Hythe had that golden opportunity to grab a point with eight minutes remaining, Cook's header clipping the outside of the post from a Dolan corner. With Hythe pushing men forward in the final minutes they were caught by a breakaway goal from their own corner. Mitten finally clearing the ball after spilling his initial save, Addae picking up the ball down the right, before his eventual cutback was smashed home by James Pinnock to seal the points. Scorers - Maidstone United - OG - 65 mins - Pinnock - 88 mins Hythe Town - Egan, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Harvey, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson, Cass, Winfield (Dryden - 79) - Unused subs - Smith, Blackman, Hassan, A Porter Man of the Match - Ronnie Dolan Attendance - 323 Hythe Town Crash Out Of F.A. Cup North Greenford United - 2 - Hythe Town - 1 F.A. Cup 2nd Qualifying Round - 01/10/11 Hythe Town have crashed out of this years F.A. Cup to North Greenford United, Scott Porter's side having to settle for a far shorter journey than last year in the worlds most famous cup competition. Hythe created the opening chance as an Aaron Lacy throw flicked on by Dave Cook was met by a deflected Ronnie Dolan shot just wide. A rather scrappy period of play ended with the opening goal for the home side, as Aaron McLeish ran onto a clearance from keeper Baboucar Gary Jallow to calmly slide home under Kieron Mann. Jallow receiving three lots of treatment was as exciting as it got in the first third of the game as the blistering heat didn't assist any real football from either side. Hythe had their best chances of a first-half goal in the last fifteen minutes of the half as Cook blasted an opportunistic volley just over the crossbar from distance, and Craig Thompson blasted wildly over when clear through on goal from Lacy's clearance. The half ended with a good save from Jallow as Cass got a toe on a good through-ball on the edge of the home side's eighteen-yard box. Hythe started the second half with a spring in their step, Dolan having a shot deflected wide, after Cook had flicked on Hassan's cross. Just before the hour mark Dolan provided the cross and Cass' header to the back-post just missed the outstretched boot of Cook. On sixty minutes Hythe were caught with a sucker punch as McLeish slipped the offside trap on the counter-attack to slot home both his and North Greenford's second of the afternoon. Scott Porter responded with the introduction of Lloyd Blackman and Jimmy Dryden, with skipper Cook also pushed forward for the final third of the game. With the game moving into the final stages things became inevitably stretched, with Cook having a header cleared off the line by Callum Roberts and Blackman heading just wide after good work by Dryden and Cass. With Hythe throwing men forward Peter Martin got in behind the visitors but sent his lob just wide. On the stroke of ninety minutes Pat Kingwell surged forward and had a fierce drive palmed round the post by Jallow. Suddenly, Hythe had a lifeline as Cass hit an unstoppable first time volley past Jallow from the edge of the box. Hythe continued to press, and fully five minutes into injury time thought they had earned a replay, as Lloyd Blackman fired home a Cass flick, only to turn to see the offside flag. Scorers - Hythe Town - Cass - 90+2 - North Greenford United - McLeish - 14, 60 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, A Porter, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson (Blackman - 63), Cass, Hassan (Dryden - 63) - Unused subs - Smith, Harvey, Egan Attendance - 107 Hythe Thrash Whitstable For Third League Win Hythe Town - 4 - Whitstable Town - 0 Ryman League South - 27/09/11 Scott Porter's side bounced back from Saturday's disappointing result to thrill the Reachfields crowd with an outstanding four goal display. Much like their previous midweek victory over local rivals Faversham Town, the home side did not let up from the first to the last whistle, and as a result enjoyed a glut of goals in the closing stages to secure the points. Hythe opened brightly with the unlikely John Walker firing over from the edge of the box, before fellow full-back Aaron Lacy's free-kick bobbled around in the Whitstable box with Brendon Cass going close to grabbing an early goal for the home side. At the other end James Peacock should have converted a similar close-range opportunity as Hythe struggled to clear their lines. Craig Thompson, a player who always seems to bring the best out of those who play around him, lobbed onto the roof of the Whitstable net as Scott Chalmers-Stevens found himself stranded off his goal-line, but the Hythe goal was coming. Dave Cook had already gone close to converting Lee Winfield's ball into the box when Pete Hawkins pulled back Hythe's top goalscorer to concede a penalty that the Hythe skipper happily converted for his fourth goal in three games. From the restart a Ronnie Dolan lay-off lined up Nick Barnes to flash a volley across goal but just wide, before a controversial offside decision denied Barnes a goal when the same duo combined moments later. On the stroke of half-time both sides threatened from corners, Cass going close with a flicked header for Hythe, Stuart Vahid's deflected header for the visitors, saved brilliantly at full stretch by Kieron Mann. Hythe continued to dominate in the second-half, Thompson flicking Cass clear on goal, only for the ball to be left behind at the crucial moment, before Barnes and Cook went close from distance as Hythe pinned Whitstable back into their own half. The second goal was inevitable, as the excellent Barnes turned and surged forwards from the half-way line, advantage was played as Cass was dumped to the ground, as Thompson was found unmarked on the flank by Barnes. Thompson did the rest with a run to the byline and the perfect cross to the back-post where Barnes headed home the move he had started. Nine minutes later it was game over as Thompson brilliantly chased down a lost cause to hurry Chalmer-Stevens into a poor clearance that deflected into the path of Cass. Still some fifty yards from goal Cass took the ball brilliantly in his stride to avoid one challenge before lobbing home into the empty net from distance. The celebrations with the bench area showing how close this group of players and management have become. Barnes continued to cause chaos, having a shot turned around the post after more good work from Thompson, before Scott Porter added to the fresh legs of Taser Hassan with the further introduction of Jimmy Dryden and Lloyd Blackman. Blackman went close on a couple of occasions in the closing stages, but it would be Dryden who would claim Hythe's fourth, with a close-range header after Winfield's corner had struck the crossbar. Video highlights for this game are available, courtesy of BKVP Sports Forum. Registration for the forum is free, and easy to complete - Click Here Scorers - Hythe Town - Cook - 21 (pen) - Barnes - 60 - Cass - 69 - Dryden - 84 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Harvey, Dolan, Cook (c) (Hassan - 61), Barnes, Thompson (Blackman - 74), Cass (Dryden - 80), Winfield - Unused subs - Egan, A Porter Man of the Match - Nick Barnes Attendance - 222 Unbeaten Run Ends In Dramatic Fashion Hythe Town - 2 - Burgess Hill Town - 3 Ryman League South - 25/09/11 Hythe Town's unbeaten run came to an end as Burgess Hill Town took advantage of a lacklustre performance from the home side to race into a three goal lead. However, Scott Porter is a manager who will never give up on a game, and in Dave Cook he has a player that shares that philosophy. The Hythe captain, playing as a make-shift striker in the closing stages, almost grabbed a dramatic hat-trick and a share of the points for his side. It was not to be though as Cook and Hythe had to settle for only two goals, giving the visitors their first win of the season, Hythe will now look to bounce back in the Tuesday night local derby with Whitstable Town. In a poor first-half there was little goalmouth action, Cook having a volley deflected just wide after an Aaron Lacy throw-in, whilst at the other end James Rhodes sent a volley whistling just over Kieron Mann's crossbar. Brendon Cass should have opened the scoring with an unmarked header that Joel Harding plucked out of the air, following a Ronnie Dolan free-kick. With half-time approaching the home side went close again as NIck Barnes' shot deflected just wide after another uncleared Lacy throw. The game took a decisive twist in the last minute of the half, as a clearance from keeper Harding bounced into the path of Jones Awuah who calmly slotted home following confusion in the Hythe back-line. The home side came out for the second-half looking a lot brighter, as Lloyd Blackman flicked into the path of Cass to send a volley flashing just wide of the post. But Hythe's improved attitude quickly turned into an over-eagerness to get bodies forward, and within four minutes the game was apparently wrapped up for Burgess Hill Town. The visitors broke quickly from two Hythe set-pieces to punish some poor organisation at the back for Hythe. Substitute Lloyd Cotton was the first to bundle home after Tyrone Berry's shot had deflected along the Hythe goal-line, following good work from Awuah. The third goal was even more clinical as Awuah's pass in behind the Hythe defensive line sent George Hayward sprinting clear into the Hythe half to confidently roll his finish past Mann. Put simply, Hythe looked a different side in the final third of the game, as Porter made major changes to both personnel and formation with the introduction of Craig Thompson, Lee Winfield, and Taser Hassan, along with a shift to a 3-4-3 formation with skipper Cook moved into the forward-line. Within minutes of the changes Barnes had smashed an unstoppable shot against Harding's post, Thompson unable to convert the rebound. With just over fifteen minutes remaining Hythe had their lifeline as Barnes sent a delightful through-ball with the outside of his boot into the path of Cook, who finished with deft strike past Harding. Three minutes later it was game on, Cass bundled over in the box, and Cook smashing home his second from the penalty-spot. In a frantic finish Cotton hit the Hythe post, whilst Hassan looked to find Cook with cross after cross, the Hythe captain almost sealing a dramatic point for his side but heading his final chance to equalise just wide. Video highlights for this game are available, courtesy of BKVP Sports Forum. Registration for the forum is free, and easy to complete - Click Here Scorers - Hythe Town - Cook - 73, 76 (pen) - Burgess Hill Town - Awuah - 45 - Cotton - 52 - Hayward - 56 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy (Hassan - 63), Walker, Kingwell, Harvey, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Blackman (Thompson - 58), Cass, Dryden (Winfield - 58) - Unused subs - Egan, A Porter Man of the Match - Dave Cook Attendance - 217 Blackman Hits Brace For Dominant Hythe Hythe Town - 5 - Erith & Belvedere - 2 F.A. Cup First Qualifying Round - 17/09/11  Hythe Town blew Erith &
Belvedere away with an excellent first-half
display at Reachfields, to secure their
place in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the
F.A. Cup. The home side led 4-1 at half-time
thanks to Laurence Harvey's second goal in
as many games, Brendon Cass, Lloyd Blackman,
and skipper Dave Cook. The second-half was a
low-key affair with the highlight being
Blackman grabbing his second goal of the
afternoon. Hythe made a
storming start to the game with the visitors
struggling to contain their host's strength and
power. The opening chance fell to Harvey who blasted over at close-range after Cook had miscued following a long throw from Aaron Lacy. However, only a minute later Harvey would make the breakthrough, the young centre-back who has already made such an impression on the Hythe supporters, heading home at the back-post from a Ronnie Dolan corner. Hythe continued their impressive start as Cass headed onto the roof of the net from a Lacy cross, and Andy Constable headed just over his own crossbar from another quality Dolan set-piece. Hythe doubled their lead on eight minutes, Dolan again providing the assist from the corner, Cass heading home at close-range to give the home side the perfect start. Just two minutes later it could have been three for Hythe, Nick Barnes striking the base of the post after an uncleared throw from Lacy.  To
their credit, Erith & Belvedere rallied to get
back to 2-1, James Evans heading home a deflected
long throw from Allan Matthews. Kieron Mann's
drop-kick found it's way to Cass who volleyed just
over, but the home side were about to restore
their two goal cushion. Lacy's cross to the
back-post was headed back across goal by Jimmy
Dryden for early substitute Blackman to smuggle
home Hythe's third. An excellent block from Lacy
kept Constable frustrated for the visitors, before
in first-half injury time Hythe effectively ended
the game with a fine move. Lacy again provided an
excellent cross to the back-post for Cass to
volley an exquisite first-time pass back across
goal, Dave Cook marking his return to the starting
line-up with a carefully steered home volley past
Richard Stroud. That would have been Hythe's fifth goal if not for a fantastic block from Evans on Blackman, after a Dryden dummy had sent Cass clear on goal to round Stroud and roll the perfect cross across the six-yard box. Moving into the second-half Stroud made a good fingertip save from Blackman after good work by Lacy and Cass. Blackman returned the favour lining up Cass for a close-range effort after more good work from Lacy. Kieron Mann was quick off his line in the closing stages to make a couple of excellent clearances, before Blackman claimed his brace with a near-post header following a good run and cross from substitute Taser Hassan. The game finished with a consolation goal for the visitors, Badar Mohamed lobbing home a calm finish, before Blackman went close to his hat-trick, shooting just wide after another good centre from Hassan. Match Photos Courtesy of Simon Giles - Click Here Scorers - Hythe Town - Harvey - 3 - Cass - 8 - Blackman - 22, 74 - Cook - 45+1 - Erith & Belvedere - Evans - 15 - Mohamed - 83 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy (A Porter - 78), Walker, Kingwell, Harvey, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson (Blackman - 13), Cass, Dryden (Hassan - 66) - Unused subs - Egan, Smith, Winfield Man of the Match - Lloyd Blackman Attendance - 215 A Game Of Two Halves Eastbourne Town - 1 - Hythe Town - 2 Ryman League South - 13/09/11 Hythe Town made it three games unbeaten as they won a rollercoaster game at Eastbourne Town that was very much a game of two halves. It may have been the journey, the slope of the pitch, or probably just the outstanding pace of an impressive Eastbourne forward line, but Hythe had to ride their luck during the first-half. Having fallen behind to a Craig Thompson goal after three minutes, the home side fought back with an equaliser just five minutes later. Before going on to create three of four clear cut chances that were either wasted or saved by the excellent Kieron Mann. To their credit, Hythe regrouped at half-time and came out for the second-half with a much improved defensive display, whilst also looking the more likely to score the eventual winning goal. Hythe got off to the perfect start when an uncleared long throw from Aaron Lacy was acrobatically volleyed home by Craig Thompson at close range. However, it didn't take long for the home side to settle down into some very impressive and quick moving attacking moves. A shot had already whistled past Kieron Mann's post when Nathan Crabb clipped home his finish at the end of a lightning quick breakaway from deep in the home side's own half. The end to end nature of the game continued with penalty shouts for Hythe as Ronnie Dolan appeared to be pulled back running onto a Lee Winfield throughball. That would be all the hosts needed to spur them onto a dominant period of play that amazingly Hythe survived without conceding a further goal. During that time the home side wasted two one on one opportunities along with Kieron Mann making one brave stop at the feet of a Eastbourne attacker, before ending the half with a spectacular one handed save at close range. Hythe had managed to survive until half-time to allow Scott Porter's side to regroup. During the interval the visitors would have also drawn encouragement from the fact that chances had still been created despite the first-half onslaught. In fact Hythe could have taken the lead midway through the first period of play when an excellent save from Callum Christie denied Thompson at close range. With the slope in their favour and a vastly improved second-half performance, Hythe were good value for their eventual victory and a very impressive three points. The second-half started with a Lacy throw causing a goalmouth scramble, the home side managing to clear their lines, from the resulting Winfield corner Laurence Harvey headed just wide. Hythe continued to build pressure with Jimmy Dryden setting up both Nick Barnes and Brendon Cass, but neither could quite get on the end of some nice passing moves into the Eastbourne box. Next it was Craig Thompson's turn to go close, running onto Mann's drop-kick, an excellent last ditch challenge stopping a certain tap-in. Hythe were getting closer with the home side restricted to breakaway moves and tending to shoot from distance. Simon Austin made his return from injury replacing Jimmy Dryden for the final fifteen minutes, just before the home side were reduced to ten men due to a stamp from Brad Manton. With nine minutes remaining Hythe made the breakthrough, Lacy's throw-in headed home by Laurence Harvey for his first goal in Hythe colours. Like in almost every Ryman League game Hythe have had this season, their opponents threw everything forward in the closing stages. However on this occasion Hythe held firm for the three points, Ronnie Dolan having the final chance of the game, with his shot tipped round the post by Christie after a brilliant run from the half-way line. Scorers - Hythe Town - Thompson - 3 - Harvey - 81 - Eastbourne Town - Crabb - 8 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell (c), Harvey, Dolan, Dryden (Austin - 74), Barnes, Thompson, Cass (Hassan - 85), Winfield - Unused subs - Egan, Smith, Blackman Man of the Match - Kieron Mann Attendance - 168 Dolan Strike Not Enough Hythe Town - 2 - Walton Casuals - 2 Ryman League South- 10/09/11  Ronnie Dolan's first goal of the season
was not enough to seal all three points for
Scott Porter's Hythe Town. The home side had
impressively fought back from the setback of
an early Walton Casuals goal to lead an
entertaining game with less than twenty
minutes to go. However, for the second home
game running Hythe conceded a last minute
goal, on this occasion leading to a share of
the three points. The visitors had scored
their opening goal after just ten minutes,
Liam Hind heading home from a well worked
set-piece. With the experienced Aaron Lacy,
Captain Dave Cook, and Vice-Captain Pat
Kingwell all attending weddings, Nick Barnes
picked up the armband, and combined with Jimmy
Dryden for the best of Hythe's chances in the
opening period of play. The duo had fired a warning shot as Barnes found Dryden who in turn picked out Brendon Cass at the back-post who should have scored from six-yards. Moments later Hythe were straight back in the game as Barnes released Dryden into the left-hand channel on the counter-attack, the experienced striker confidently stroking the ball past Craig Bradshaw for his second goal in as many games. Lloyd Blackman headed just over after slipping the offside trap to run onto Greg Smith's through-ball, before Barnes and Dryden combined again, Dryden firing a fierce shot into the body of Bradshaw. Three successive corners from the home side built further pressure on Bradshaw's goal, before a free-kick from Dryden led to Lee Winfield glancing a header just wide.  Impressive
target-man Danny Buckle did well to roll
off his man within the Hythe box, before
flashing a shot across goal but just wide.
However, Hythe continued to threaten as
Tom Parkinson nodded Dolan's cross just
wide and Winfield's cross almost picked
out an unmarked Dryden at the back-post.
Dolan struck a volley just wide from
Smith's cross, before the young full-back
was booked for pulling back Jack Duffy as
the Walton man threatened to slip into the
Hythe penalty box. Walton started the
second-half brightly with Craig Totton's
cross headed just over by Buckle. But
Hythe soon got themselves going again as
they pushed on for a second goal. Dryden
and Cass combined with some lovely
cross-field passing before Cass' cross was
just missed by Dryden at the back-post.
Dryden returned the favour with an
excellent cross just taken off the head of
Cass by defender Kristian Webb. The duo continued to threaten as Dryden's flick sent Cass clear, only for an attempted lob to end on the roof of the net. The home side were about to take the lead, but not before a stunning block from John Walker ensured that a goalmouth scramble in the Hythe box ended with the scores remaining level. Hythe went straight down the other end to make the breakthrough, substitute Taser Hassan releasing Cass down the right, the striker's pin-point cross from the flank picking out a run from Dolan to slam home his first goal of the season. Scott Porter's side looked to be closing the game out, but with nothing to lose the visitors threw men forward in the closing stages. The gamble paid off as Chris Drake centred for Charlie Ide to drill home a 90th minute equaliser. Match Photos Courtesy of Simon Giles - Click Here Scorers - Hythe Town - Dryden - 15 - Dolan - 71 - Walton Casuals - Hind - 10 - Ide - 90 Hythe Town - Mann, Smith, A Porter (Walker - 45), Harvey, Parkinson, Dolan, Dryden, Barnes (c), Blackman (Hassan - 63), Cass (Thompson - 81), Winfield - Unused subs - Egan, Austin Man of the Match - Jimmy Dryden Attendance - 244 Hard-Fought Win But So Worthwhile Chessington & Hook United - 0 - Hythe Town - 1 F.A. Cup Preliminary Round - 03/09/11 Scott Porter's Hythe Town side earned a hard-fought victory over Chessington & Hook United with a professional, hard-working win worth £1,500. Hythe carved out the opening chance as a Lee Winfield cross was flicked on by Brendon Cass, but only struck into the side netting by Ronnie Dolan. Matthew Ellis had an early sight on goal as his cross drifted just over the Hythe crossbar. A poor back pass from the home side led to a fierce block challenge between Nick Barnes and home keeper Mark Daniels, who just won the ball with a crucial tackle. Aaron Lacy's throws were building pressure on the home side, Dave Cook having a header just tipped over the crossbar and shortly after Tom Parkinson heading just wide. Jimmy Dryden had his first sight of goal with a volley tipped over the bar by Daniels. The striker was involved again shortly after, heading into Daniels' arms from a Dolan cross. Just before half-time Dolan provided the assist again, and Dryden the dummy, as Cass went close to the opener. The final chance of the half fell for Winfield to find Barnes inside the box, the midfielder having three attempted strikes on goal with a penalty shout thrown in for good measure. The second half began with a good Barnes header after an uncleared free-kick from Winfield. Before the hour mark arrived Hythe had further penalty shouts turned down as Dolan appeared to be bundled down inside the box, Dryden turning over the resulting free-kick. Cook slipped Cass into the box, forcing Daniels into a good save. Hythe were beginning to build pressure with Lacy's corner headed over by Winfield, and Cass volleying over from a Parkinson flick following another Lacy throw. The game turned for the visitors with the introduction of new signing, winger Taser Hassan, an excellent outlet in the closing stages for Hythe. Six minutes later Hythe scored the winning goal as an excellent low cross from Dolan was converted at the near post by Dryden for his first goal in Hythe colours. Lloyd Blackman and Craig Thompson joined the fray for Scott Porter's side as Hythe closed out the game, but it was Hassan who caught the eye in the final minutes of the contest, providing a good cross to the back-post that Parkinson headed just wide, before the same combination worked again, the centre-back's header saved by Daniels. With minutes to go the flying winger seemed en-route for a dream debut, leaving three men for dead before being body-checked on the half-way line with an open half to run into. Scorers - Hythe Town - Dryden - 64 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, A Porter, Kingwell, Parkinson, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Cass (Blackman - 68), Dryden (Thompson - 78), Winfield (Hassan - 59) - Unused subs - Rook, Smith Man of the Match - Nick Barnes Attendance - 97 Out Of Character Town Ramsgate - 2 - Hythe Town - 0 Ryman League South - 29/08/11 For the first time in a long time, Scott Porter's Hythe Town left their shooting boots at home. The visitors were as good and at times better than Jim Ward's unbeaten Ramsgate side, hitting the woodwork on two occasions and wasting several other clear cut chances. However, goals win games, and Ramsgate managed one more than their visitors over the ninety minutes, before Mark Lovell struck the home side's second of the afternoon deep into injury time with Hythe throwing men forward. Hythe have had a difficult start to life in the Ryman South, but it has to be said they only have themselves to blame for dropped points, with an anticipation of improved fortunes ahead once Scott Porter's side can shake off some seemingly self-imposed nerves. After a battling first ten minutes the first chance of the afternoon fell for Steve O'Brien to lob just wide after a good initial save from Kieron Mann. Hythe's opening chance came via an Aaron Lacy throw-in, met by a decent but blocked shot from Jimmy Dryden, Dave Cook volleying just wide on the rebound. Hythe should have taken the lead midway through the first half, Cook heading against the bar from a Lacy throw-in and then Daren Hawkes having to tip onto and over the bar directly from the next Lacy throw. An excellent run from Ronnie Dolan took the midfield man past three Ramsgate players before home captain Liam Quinn dragged Dolan down on the edge of the box, receiving a booking in the process. The free-kick taken by Lacy, was met by the head of Dryden but comfortably saved by Hawkes. Shortly after, a flick from Brendon Cass found Dryden in the left-hand channel, Dryden's volley looping just over the crossbar. A pivotal five minutes came Just before half-time, first Hythe had their best chance of the game, Dryden's cross laid off on the penalty spot by Nick Barnes, Cook unable to get a clean connection on his shot at close-range with Hawkes gathering. Three minutes before half-time the home side took the lead, a long throw from Simon Pettit was collected by Pascal Ebigbo with his back to goal, Ebigbo's turn and finish into the top corner was probably the best bit of skill on the afternoon from either side. Hythe came out for the second half determined to grab the goal their play so far had deserved. Simon Austin's close range shot was blocked with shouts for handball and a penalty, Dolan slipped Cass into the box to beat two men but have his final shot blocked. Finally Cook burst forward to sting the palms of Hawkes. Hythe should have equalised on the hour mark, Austin playing Dryden one on one. Hawkes making an exceptional and brave save right on the edge of his box. Ramsgate almost doubled their lead as Gareth Cornhill hit a blistering driven shot from thirty yards, met by an outstanding save around the base of the post by Mann. Things were becoming more and more frantic and by the time all the substitutions had taken place Hythe were lining up in a 3-3-4 formation, with Ramsgate forced to introduce ex-Hythe man James Gregory to form a five man defence. Hythe were now pressing, as Pat Kingwell dribbled into the box before having a shot blocked into the path of Cass whose strike dribbled just wide. By the time injury time had arrived the game was wide open and end to end. A free kick from Cornhill struck the Hythe crossbar before finally Hythe throwing almost everyone forward deep into injury time led to he inevitably easy second goal from Mark Lovell at close range. To add to Hythe's frustrations they will now also have skipper Dave Cook suspended for one game in the near future. After making a routine defensive clearance the Hythe captain was clearly bodychecked to the ground, as he pulled himself up from the floor, everybody in the ground was expecting a Hythe free-kick. Well, not everyone, a second yellow card for the Hythe man that proves football still has a lot to learn from the game of cricket....never assume or guess, because things have a habit of going horribly wrong if you do. Scorers - Ramsgate - Ebigbo - 42 - Lovell - 90+4 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy (Blackman - 79), A Porter, Kingwell, Parkinson (Winfield - 74), Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Austin (Thompson - 65), Cass, Dryden - Unused subs - Smith, Rook Man of the Match - Pat Kingwell Attendance - 262 So Close Yet So Far Away Hythe Town - 2 - Bognor Regis Town - 3 Ryman League South - 27/08/11 Hythe Town came so close to winning a dramatic three points against excellent opponents, a Bognor Regis Town side who clearly deserve their 'title favourites' tag. After a solid start from the home side, two quality goals in six minutes from the visitors stunned the Reachfields crowd. Bognor Regis ended the half on top of the home side, but Scott Porter had his usual 'half-time plans' up his sleeve. A triple substitution and a switch of formation firstly stifled outstanding playmaker Kane Wills, and then inspired a fightback that almost won the home side all three points. A typical opportunist strike from Dave Cook, followed by Brendon Cass' first goal of the season (with an assist from debutant Jimmy Dryden) drew Porter's side level. An end to end finish to the game saw Man of the Match Nick Barnes almost snatch a winner, before a cruel own goal by Aaron Lacy in the 89th minute gave the visitors all three points. Following the early exchanges neither side could claim to be in charge of proceedings, however the hosts were beginning to make inroads via a goalbound volley from Ronnie Dolan, cleared to safety, and penalty shouts shortly after turned down by the man in back. Kieron Mann hadn't had much to do in the opening stages, but Bognor Regis were about to show why they only just lost the Ryman South title on goal difference last season. Firstly Jason Prior poked home at close-range after a cross to the back-post was headed down into the six-yard box, before dangerman Terry Dodd calmly slotted home under Mann at the end of a fantastic passing move down the right-hand side of the Hythe defence. Moments before half-time a deliberate handball forced the ball home for the visitors, before correctly being disallowed to end a frantic first-half. Hythe manager Scott Porter has an embarrassment of riches in the striking department, and he was about to use them. New signing Dryden, along with Brendon Cass and Simon Austin entered the fray as the home side appeared to line-up for the second-half in a flexible 4-3-3 formation. The extra bodies in midfield smothered the Bognor Regis build-up play, and the fresh legs up front instantly put Hythe on the front-foot. After dominating possession from the restart, Hythe struck two goals in four minutes to stun the visiting contingent. Firstly, an uncleared throw-in from Aaron Lacy was volleyed home with force by Cook, before Tom Parkinson found Dryden on the counter-attack down the left, the ex-Folkestone man's cross perfectly placed to pick out Cass from six-yards out, a distance the Golden Boot holder doesn't miss from. Hythe should have made it three goals in seven minutes, Austin playing Barnes one on one with keeper Craig Stoner, a stunning last-ditch tackle from the last Bognor Regis defender keeping the scores level. To their credit the visitors still had something left in the tank and came back at Porter's side in an end to end finish to a cracking game. James Crane had a scorching shot brilliantly tipped onto the post by Mann, before that cruel end to the game for Hythe as Lacy turned the ball into his own net at the end of a fine passing move, with just a minute to play. Match Photos courtesy of Simon Giles - Click Here Scorers - Hythe Town - Cook - 57 - Cass - 61 - Bognor Regis Town - Prior - 22 - Dodd - 28 - Lacy OG - 89 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, Smith, Kingwell, Parkinson, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson (Austin - 45), Blackman (Cass - 45), Winfield (Dryden - 45) - Unused subs - Rook, A Porter Man of the Match - Nick Barnes Attendance - 229 The Real Hythe Town! Hythe Town - 3 - Faversham Town - 0 Ryman League South - 23/08/11 An excellent crowd of 231 witnessed the first ever Ryman League game to be staged at Reachfields! Anyone in that number supporting Hythe enjoyed a fantastic performance from the home side, dominating past Kent League champions and local rivals Faversham Town. After the disappointment of Saturday this was far more like the kind of powerful performance the Reachfields faithful have come to expect, as the visitors failed to force Kieron Mann into any sort of challenging save. As promised in the match-day programme, Hythe Manager Scott Porter made changes to his starting line-up. Greg Smith came in for the injured John Walker, with Pat Kingwell restored to defence and Dave Cook moved back into midfield. In the forward positions Lloyd Blackman and Craig Thompson were given the chance to impress, with all four of Porter's strikers playing a part in an excellent win. Hythe started the game as they intended to carry on, with several corners and free-kicks forced in the early stages. The best of those early chances fell to Cook who had a shot following a Dolan corner deflected wide, and Tom Parkinson whose header from another Dolan corner was cleared off the line. The best chance of the game that Hythe failed to convert came just before ten minutes, a lovely drop of the shoulder, run, and cross from Blackman that found the unmarked Thompson, Robert French making an excellent low save to keep the scores level early on. Moments later Faversham had the ball in the net via Adrian Stone, but the offside flag was clearly raised before Stone slammed home his shot. The game continued at a frantic pace with both midfields having to work hard for their openings during the first third of the game. However, Hythe finished the first-half well on top of their opponents, Cook releasing Thompson into the box who dribbled past two defenders before finally being stopped at the third attempt. Lee Winfield's cross was brilliantly headed home by Blackman, but again the offside flag denied the crowd an opening goal. The half ended with a nice Aaron Lacy through-ball flicked on by Thompson to send Dolan clear on goal, the Hythe midfield man just running out of pitch to turn and shoot. To their credit Faversham rallied at half-time, and it wouldn't be until the hour mark that Hythe would begin to start creating chances again. Blackman had a half-volley saved, following a lengthy session of head tennis in the visitors' box, before Nick Barnes weaved his way into the box for a shot at French. At the other end, a good run from ex-Hythe man Damian Abel ended with a dangerous cross flashed across the Hythe goal, other ex-Hythe men in the Faversham squad included Dale Skelton, Mike Yianni, and Richard Sinden. Dolan supplied a cross from the right that the ever influential Barnes headed just wide, but Porter could sense victory and introduced the fresh legs of Brendon Cass and Simon Austin for the final stages of the game. Austin had been on the pitch for all of eight minutes when he struck probably the best goal that will be seen at Reachfields this season. Dolan had gone on yet another unstoppable run, beating several men, cutting in from the flank and along the edge of the Faversham box, before a defensive challenge sent the ball only half-clear. Austin, standing thirty yards from goal, simply unleashed an unstoppable first-time looping volley over French to send the Reachfields crowd crazy! Following a goal of that quality Hythe were now in the mood to finish things off in style. Two successive throw-ins from the outstanding Lacy found two headers by Parkinson, the first tipped over the bar, and the second just over with French stranded. With ten minutes remaining Winfield switched the play to Dolan whose dangerous cross was handled in the area by Matt Bourne, Cook's finish from the penalty stop was emphatic as the Hythe skipper blasted the ball past French to give the Faversham stopper no chance. The icing on the cake was still to follow, as patient build-up play from Lacy and Dolan led to a Lacy cross to the back-post, this time it was a headed finish from Cook to bring Hythe's goal difference back to zero, and turn Saturday's performance into a distant memory. Scorers - Hythe Town - Austin - 75 - Cook - 82 (pen), 90 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, Smith, Kingwell, Parkinson, Dolan, Cook (c), Barnes, Thompson (Cass - 67), Blackman (Austin - 67), Winfield (Rook - 87) - Unused subs - Egan, A Porter Man of the Match - Aaron Lacy Attendance - 231 Hythe Struggle On Ryman League Debut Godalming Town - 3 - Hythe Town - 0 Ryman League South - 20/08/11 Scott Porter's Hythe Town struggled to do themselves justice in their first ever Ryman South fixture. Hythe were simply beaten at their own game, whilst registering an under-par performance themselves to help the hosts on their way. A fit, organised, and solid Godalming side look like an improvement on the league position they registered last season. Hythe now have the perfect opportunity to bounce back and show they deserve to be at this level, with the visit of Faversham Town on Tuesday night, as Reachfields hosts it's first ever Ryman League derby! A nervy first ten minutes from both sides was understandable due to this being the first ever fixture between the two clubs. The opening chances fell to the home side with Darren Wheeler firing in a dangerous cross from the left that John Walker did well to deal with. Wes Harrison did well to slip Hythe's offside trap, but Kieron Mann rushed off his line to make a smart one on one save. Hythe should have opened the scoring after fifteen minutes, a throw-in from Aaron Lacy flicked on by Brendon Cass and centred by Ronnie Dolan, Lee Winfield firing just wide with the goal at his mercy. The last twenty minutes of the half was the home sides best spell of the game. Firstly Guy Hollis sent Jamie McClurg racing clear into the Hythe half, Hythe vulnerable to the counter-attack from their own corner, McClurg firing past Mann for the opener. On the half-hour mark Godalming doubled their lead, Darren Wheeler pounced on an uncleared cross to the back-post to fire past Mann. Scott Porter reacted to being two goals down at half-time by introducing Craig Thompson and Pat Kingwell for the second-half. Any chance of an early Hythe goal to give the home side something to worry about, went five minutes after the restart with a third goal from the home side, Harrison heading home an excellent cross from Wheeler. That goal killed the game as a contest, however Hythe worked hard to earn a consolation goal for their efforts. Dolan played Nick Barnes in on goal, the midfielder just hitting the side-netting with a good effort. A cross from Lacy was headed back across goal but just wide by Cass, before the same player flicked a shot goalbound from Winfield's cross, the excellent Jamie Norris making a fine save to secure a clean sheet. Scorers - Godalming Town - McClurg - 23 - Wheeler - 30 - Harrison - 50 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy (Smith - 78), Walker (Kingwell - 45), Barnes, Parkinson, Dolan, Cook (c), Winfield, Austin (Thompson - 45) Cass, Rook - Unused subs - Egan, A Porter Man of the Match - Ronnie Dolan Attendance - 116 Dominant Hythe Complete Pre-Season in Style Hythe Town - 5 - Romford - 1 Pre-season Friendly - 13/08/11 Scott Porter got both the performance and result he would have wanted ahead of his sides debut in the Ryman League next Saturday. With one week to go before the new season, Hythe Town dominated a side from the same level of the football pyramid, as Porter's full strength squad left him with many selection headaches! Brendon Cass has clearly been working hard despite being on holiday for the previous three pre-season games. Last season's Golden Boot winner was lively to a throughball from Ronnie Dolan in the opening moments, not quite getting his toe on the ball for a certain tap-in. The visitors took a surprise lead after just eight minutes as following a cross from the left a slip from John Walker allowed St Hilaire to drive home an impressive finish across goal and into the top corner of Kieron Mann's goal. However, it only took twenty-one minutes for Hythe's main man to get back amongst the goals, Cass drilling home a deflected free-kick from Ryan Rook at close range, the speed of Cass' reaction showing why he is such a consistent finisher. Hythe were growing to the task as a nod-down from Cass allowed Dolan to shoot into the keepers' arms from just inside the box. Just before half-time a fantastic raking pass from Aaron Lacy picked out Cass, who brilliantly pulled the ball out of the air only to have a good shot blocked. For the visitors the right-sided St Hilaire drilled just wide, Romford's goalscorer probably their best player in the opening period of play. Hythe started the second-half as they intended to carry on, John Walker and Lee Winfield working an opening for Dolan to fire just wide. Cass should have tested the goalkeeper following good work from Dolan and a cross from Rook. Next it was the turn of skipper Dave Cook to go close, Hythe's captain watching his header cleared off the line following a dangerous corner from Rook. Good work in the build-up from Cass and Rook led to Cass crossing to the back-post and Lee Winfield firing a volley over the bar. In the space of three minutes Hythe impressively had the game won. Lacy's uncleared throw-in made it's way back to the right-back who sent another good cross in to find Winfield. Hythe's playmaker beat two men himself, but had no complaints when Cass took over to rifle a shot across goal and into the top corner. As the hour mark arrived Hythe made it three, Winfield releasing John Walker on a lung busting counter-attacking run that took the left-back from the half-way line into the visitors' box. The final cross turned over his own line by Mackin from Romford, with substitute Craig Thompson lurking. Cass' header sent Thompson clear on goal, a good save keeping the score down for a few more minutes. The game ended with two further goals for the home side, firstly through a delightful drop of the shoulder and cross from Rook that Lloyd Blackman happily converted at close-range. The best goal of the whole afternoon arrived four minutes from the final whistle, Dolan feeding Thompson who found himself on the corner of the eighteen-yard box with little support in the box. Thompson simply looked up before firing in an outrageous finish from the edge of the box, across goal and off the inside of the top of Romford's goalpost! Match Photos courtesy of Simon Giles - Click Here Scorers - Hythe Town - Cass - 21, 57 - Own Goal - 60 - Blackman - 83 - Thompson - 86 - Romford - St Hilaire - 8 Hythe Town - Mann (Egan - 23), Lacy (Smith - 69), Walker, Kingwell (Parkinson - 45), Barnes, Dolan, Cook (c) (A Porter - 69), Winfield (Scorer - 75), Austin (Thompson - 54), Cass (Blackman - 69), Rook Attendance - 131 Hard Fought Win Over Old Rivals Deal Town - 0 - Hythe Town - 1 Pre-season Friendly - 09/08/11 Hythe Town's pre-season continued with a hard fought win over old rivals Deal Town. Simon Austin made it four pre-season goals in three games, with a clean sheet the other plus point against a Deal side that appears to have restored it's tireless work ethic over the summer. A scrappy start to the game saw limited chances for both sides, Lloyd Blackman heading just over from Lee Winfield's free-kick. Deal stirred into life with Aaron Robinson turning and hitting a snap-shot that Kieron Mann did well to deal with. It was Robinson that earned and wasted Deal's best chance of the game, winning but failing to convert a low penalty that Mann did brilliantly to hold onto. Suddenly the game came alive, Dave Cook heading against the crossbar from Austin's cross to the back post, Blackman unable to covert the rebound at close range. Mann did well to make up for a poor clearance with a smart save. Whilst at the other end a brilliant drop of the shoulder from the impressive Ronnie Dolan sent the midfielder clear down the right, a fine low cross dummied by Blackman, Austin unable to convert at close range. Hythe reshuffled at half-time with Ryan Rook replacing Pat Kingwell and Cook dropping into the back four. Hythe made a brighter start to the second half, a great ball from Greg Smith finding the unmarked Rook, the substitute clipping the crossbar with a lobbed shot. Blackman dribbled past two Deal men but could only shoot into the body of keeper Chris Waymark. Just after the hour mark Hythe scored a deserved goal, the lively Rook digging out a looping cross from down by the corner flag, Austin heading home at close range with a well placed header. Hythe were now playing their best football of the game as Austin sent Dolan one on one with Waymark, Dolan just winning the chase to the ball but poking his shot just wide. Blackman lined up a shooting opportunity for Lee Winfield who curled a good effort just over. The game was also beginning to stretch, Blackman wasted a good one on one opportunity, whilst at the other end Curtis Winnett headed just over the bar. The game ended with two good opportunities for the visitors to double their lead. Blackman played Nick Barnes in on goal with a nicely dinked pass, Barnes shooting just over on the half volley. Finally, a Cook header was saved on the line by Waymark following a dangerous corner from Rook. Scorer - Austin - 61 Hythe Town - Mann (Flint - 69), A Porter (Lacy - 69), Smith (Walker - 59), Kingwell (Rook - 45), Parkinson, Dolan, Cook (c), Blackman, Austin, Barnes, Winfield Pre-Season Penalties! Hythe Town - 2 - Herne Bay - 2 (Herne Bay won 5-4 on penalties) Kent Challenge Shield - 06/08/11 Last seasons Kent League title rivals fought out a 2-2 draw at Reachfields in this seasons Kent Challenge Shield game. After sharing the shield with Faversham Town last year, this time round Herne Bay won the trophy outright, defeating their hosts via a penalty shoot out. Herne Bay were the quicker of the two sides to settle, certainly in an attacking sense, but the home side were more than comfortable with the ball being played around in front of their two lines of four. Therefore it wasn't too much of a surprise that the first real chance of the game arrived via a counter-attack that gave Herne Bay more space to break into. That chance fell to Jimmy Corbett who could only shoot into Kieron Mann's arms from just inside the box after good work from Byron Walker. Hythe's first goal came against the run of play, as Ryan Rook's free-kick from outside the box was glanced home across goal and past Dan Eason by Pat Kingwell, just before the half-hour mark. Hythe's opening goal would signal the start of their best period of play, interrupted only by a low driven shot across goal and just wide by Tom Bryant. Rook's cross from the right surprised Eason, clipping the top of the Herne Bay crossbar, before Lloyd Blackman volleyed just over following an uncleared corner from Rook. Blackman had the ball in the net but was adjudged offside, whilst Rook was having his best spell yet in a Hythe shirt. Two successive one-two moves, first with Kingwell and then Nick Barnes sent the winger to the near post, on each occasion his dangerous cutback being cleared by the Bay defence. Herne Bay started brightly for the second half, James Campbell firing a dangerous shot just over Mann's bar. The equaliser for the visitors came six minutes info the second half, following excellent composure in the box by Danny Lawrence, the wide man pulling back for Corbett to slot home at close range. Scott Porter reacted with the substitution of Craig Thompson, replacing Blackman, and Thompson worked himself a good opening shortly after joining the game, Eason dealing with the striker's shot from just inside the box. Herne Bay quickly broke straight from that chance via a throw out from Eason, substitute Stacy Davis having a good shot saved by Mann. However, the visitors quickly regained possession and Davis found himself slipped into the Hythe box, the impressive looking forward firing an accurate finish inside Mann's near post. Finding themselves behind for the first stage in the game the home side stirred back into life, a cute dummy from Thompson sending Austin clear on the overlap, the cross to the back post met by a perfectly timed half-volley from Ronnie Dolan that flew past Eason, only for Neil Perkins to make an outstanding clearance off the line. With little over ten minutes remaining Hythe drew level, as substitute Dan Scorer's free-kick deflected into the path of Austin, who still had plenty to do firing home an angled shot just inside the top corner of Eason's near post. Still the drama wasn't over as Lawrence and Walker both went very close to securing a dramatic winner. Finally, with almost the last kick of the game, Thompson should have won it for Hythe, running clear on goal after good work from Dolan but seeing his shot saved by Eason. So onto penalties, but Hythe's number one man from the spot, Captain Dave Cook, had his opening penalty parried and then caught by Eason. Both sides then had a run of four successful penalties each, Walker, King, Nelder, and Campbell for the visitors, Parkinson, Barnes, Thompson, and Kingwell for Scott Porter's side. Hythe got back into it as Davis had his shot palmed away by Mann to level the scores, moving the game into sudden death. Austin's goalscoring form evaporated as Eason made the save, although for the Bay Perkins fired over. Finally, it was the unlucky Dan Scorer who failed with Hythe's seventh penalty, Bryant firing home the winning spot-kick to give his side the perfect lift before starting their Kent League campaign this Saturday. Scorers - Hythe Town - Kingwell - 27 - Austin - 77 - Herne Bay - Corbett - 51 - Davis - 66 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Parkinson, Dolan, Cook (c), Austin, Blackman (Thompson - 58), Barnes, Rook (Scorer - 67) - Unused subs - Smith, A Porter, Winfield Attendance - 206 Hythe Town Ease To First Pre-Season Victory Ashford United - 1 - Hythe Town - 4 Pre-season Friendly - 02/08/11 Hythe Town eased to a comfortable 4-1 victory over a spirited and skilful looking Ashford United side. A one-sided first ten minutes ended with Hythe's opening goal in the eleventh minute, Aaron Lacy's throw-in helped on by Dave Cook and put back in the mix by the impressive Tom Parkinson, Simon Austin driving home a low hard finish. Good work from Ronnie Dolan and Dan Scorer worked the opening for a Scorer cross, Austin forcing Tony Allen, who started the season with Hythe Town, into a good save around the post. Austin was involved in everything in the opening stages, firing a free-kick just over Allen's crossbar, before turning provider with a cross to strike partner Lloyd Blackman, Allen making another good save from Blackman's header. Ryan Smith curled a good shot across goal and just over the top corner as the home side began to settle. However, Hythe were about to double their lead, Scorer providing the cross and Blackman heading home his first goal in Hythe colours at close-range. Hythe's second goal had arrived five minutes before half-time and their third arrived two minutes later. Nick Barnes worked a quick throw in with Lacy, before crossing to the back post where Parkinson headed back across goal for Austin to head home his second goal of the evening. The second half was a far less competitive forty-five minutes, with one further goal for Hythe Town and a consolation for the home side. Blackman's final contribution of the game was to weave his way into the Ashford area before forcing Allen into another good save, Craig Thompson replacing the striker to also join Ryan Rook as an early second half substitution. With the hour mark approaching Cook released Dolan clear on goal, the outstanding Allen making another excellent save, this time with his legs. Next Dolan turned provider with the pass of the game to send Rook clear on goal, the winger's final shot blocked by the recovering defender. Parkinson should have scored directly from a Lacy throw for the second game running, heading just over the bar. Substitute Sam Conlon controlled a loose ball before sending a volley just wide of the base of Allen's post. Hythe finally got their fourth goal as Thompson flicked home a Rook free-kick. Another ex-Hythe man got the consolation goal for the home side, Gary Lockyer stroking home a penalty two minutes from time, shortly after Kieron Mann had made a fantastic fingertip save after the same player had been played clear through on the Hythe keeper's goal. Scorers - Hythe Town - Austin - 11, 42 - Blackman - 40 - Thompson - 66 - Ashford United - Lockyer - 88 (pen) Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Parkinson (A Porter - 71), Dolan (Conlon - 61), Cook (c), Austin, Blackman (Thompson - 57), Barnes (Smith - 76), Scorer (Rook - 49) Attendance 253 Parkinson Strikes On Debut Hythe Town - 2 - Tonbridge Angels - 2 Pre-season Friendly - 30/07/11 Tom Parkinson marked his debut in a Hythe Town shirt with the opening goal of the afternoon, with Captain Dave Cook also marking his return to central midfield with a typical poachers finish. Both Hythe goals gave the home side the lead, only for the familiar face of Jon Main to equalise on each occasion for the visiting Tonbridge Angels. This was an excellent performance from Scott Porter's side against a full strength Blue Square Conference South side, as Hythe's pre-season begins to build momentum. Parkinson's goal was the first real action of note, as the young centre-back headed home directly from an Aaron Lacy long throw after just seven minutes, surely a combination Hythe will be looking to repeat as the season progresses. Minutes after the restart Hythe could have been two goals to the good as Lacy released Thompson clear down the right, Lee Worgan in the Tonbridge goal able to intercept the cross to the unmarked Simon Austin at the back-post. Frannie Collin had his first sight of goal for the visitors, only for Pat Kingwell to make an outstanding close-range block. The visitor's equaliser came via a corner as Ben Judge flicked into the path of Main who made no mistake from six yards, the type of clever set-piece that Hythe need to be aware of as they step up a standard into the Ryman South this season. Some good work from Austin led to a deflected shot from Ronnie Dolan, Cook shooting just wide on the follow-up, but Hythe's second goal was just around the corner. Parkinson was involved again, this time with the assist following an uncleared free-kick from Ryan Rook, Cook latching onto the ball at close range to lob over Worgan to give the home side the lead for the second time. With half-time approaching, impressive left wing-back Jon Heath cut in from the flank to rifle a shot low and hard across Kieron Mann's goal, the ball flying just wide to keep the score in the home sides favour at the interval. Moments after the restart Heath was again the danger-man, firing a low centre right across the Hythe six-yard box that the home side managed to scramble clear. Hythe just about kept their lead intact as substitute Sam Bewick's cross was headed against the crossbar by Lee Browning. However, just before the hour mark, Main grabbed his second of the afternoon slipping the offside trap to lob Mann, who got a good hand on the shot but couldn't prevent the second Tonbridge equaliser of the game. Both sides could have scored the winner in the closing stages, Dan Scorer sending fellow substitute Lloyd Blackman clear down the left, Worgan making a good save from the shot across goal. Blackman claimed the miss of the season award as early as July, sending Brendon Cass' cross over the crossbar unmarked from six yards! The last chance of the afternoon fell to Bewick, entering the Hythe box late to fire a low volley just wide of Mann's goal. Scorers - Hythe Town - Parkinson - 7 - Cook - 26 - Tonbridge Angels - Main - 18, 59 Hythe Town - Mann, Lacy (A Porter - 53), Walker (Scorer - 70), Kingwell, Parkinson, Dolan, Cook (c), Austin (Cass - 45), Thompson (Blackman - 45), Barnes, Rook (Conlon - 65) - Unused sub - Smith Attendance - 128 Up and Running! Concord Rangers - 1 - Hythe Town - 0 Pre-season Friendly - 23/07/11 Hythe Town got their pre-season campaign underway with a narrow defeat away to Ryman Premier side Concord Rangers. This was a decent performance by Scott Porter's side, who looked in good physical condition, competing against a side with two pre-season games already under their belt. With new signing Tom Parkinson failing a fitness test, Pat Kingwell unavailable and Captain Dave Cook picking up a knock after just twenty minutes, it was down to youngsters Dan Scorer and Ashley Porter to form an unlikely partnership at the back. Scorer and Porter both went on to have excellent games, with debutant Aaron Lacy also replacing the unavailable Greg Smith at right-back. Hythe also gave debuts to Lloyd Blackman and Ryan Rook, but were without striker Simon Austin and goalkeeper Kieron Mann, Porter should have a full squad available for the visit of Tommy Warrilow's Tonbridge Angels side next Saturday. The game started with a penalty for the home side after just four minutes, following a challenge by Cook on Dunbar. However the spot-kick was rolled wide by Harry Elmes to keep the 0-0 scoreline intact. That aside Hythe started well, their first chance of the game falling to Blackman, who ran clear onto Lee Winfield's pass down the left before sending an angled shot across Dale Brightly's goal and just wide. Next it was Brendon Cass' turn to combine with the wide men, a lovely one-two with Ryan Rook, to send Rook one on one with Brightly, the home keeper making a good low save. The home side were warming to the task with Richard Halle curling a free-kick towards the top corner, Hythe's stand-in keeper borrowed from Concord making a good save against his own side! Connor French's cross from the left was almost converted at the near-post, with the early season crowd getting good value for their money. Hythe ended the half with the better chances, Rook's breakaway attack down the right leading to Blackman sending a half-volley just wide. Probably Hythe's best move of the game came from the new strike partnership of Cass and Blackman, who combined on the counter-attack to release Rook down the right. The eventual cross was supplied by Lacy and met by Ronnie Dolan, whose first time shot was well held by Brightly. Five minutes after the restart the home side wasted another penalty-kick, this time Ashley Miller watched as his shot towards the bottom corner was saved by his own team-mate! The usual spate of substitutions from both sides led to a disjointed second-half that came alive again in the closing stages. Dan Scorer's ball down the left, sent Conlon into space, but his cross couldn't pick out both the unmarked Cass and substitute Craig Thompson. Thompson himself both ran down and won a lost cause to nick the ball off the last defender, Brightly making another fine save when left exposed. With twelve minutes remaining home skipper Steve King headed home the winner after Hythe failed to clear their lines following a corner. Hythe seemed spurred on to grab an equaliser after competing so well for so long, but the closest they came was Conlon heading just over at the near post from a Rook corner. Scorer - Concord Rangers - King 78 mins Hythe Town - Goalkeeper unknown, Lacy (Chandler - 71), Walker, A Porter, Barnes, Dolan (Thompson - 51), Cook (Scorer - 22), Winfield (Conlon - 59), Blackman, Cass, Rook
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