Hythe Town 0 Cray Valley PM 4

Pitching In Isthmian League South-East

Tuesday 23^rd April 2024

 

Hythe Town were beaten comfortably but gave a good showing against new league leaders Cray Valley PM, losing 4-0 at Reachfields on Tuesday evening. On his home debut, manager Sammy Moore made four enforced changes from the 2-0 defeat to Broadbridge Heath, as Kian Garlinge, Aaron Barnes, Brad Schafer and Liam Smith were replaced by the returning Lex Allan, alongside young debutants Harry Le Page, Vinnie Perry and Oliver Bussey.

 

The match started very evenly in the first ten minutes, with the two sides having an even share of the possession, but on 14 minutes the inevitable became reality, as Hythe lost the ball in the Cray half allowing Adam Coombes to charge forward on the counterattack, eventually making his way into the box and slotting home from a tight angle past Lewis Briggs. They made it 2-0 six minutes before half-time, as Clement Asiedu sent a looping cross from inside the box onto the head of Adam Coombes, who sent it in for his second before the break.

 

The second half started rather unfortunately, as a flurry of shots in the 48th minute from the visitors were saved by Lewis Briggs, before Kyrle Lisbie eventually put the ball into the net, despite it taking a deflection off Briggs, to make it 3-0 to Cray Valley. Hythe managed to hold out for a while, but Cray made it 4-0 on 74 minutes as Sonny Black won the ball on the edge of the box and gave it to Julien Anau, who put the ball into the back of the net.

 

On 81 minutes, Hythe had their best and only big chance of the game as Oscar Webb played a long ball to Josh Wisson, who headed the ball down into the hands of goalkeeper Max Ovenden.

 

The full-time whistle blew to mark Hythe's eleventh straight defeat. Despite the scoreline, Hythe showed good spirit in the match, especially the four young debutants. The final match of the season will take place on Saturday as Hythe host Lancing at 3pm at Reachfields.

 

Team: Lewis Briggs, Harry Rowland, Harry Le Page, Oscar Webb, Lex Allan, Jack Steventon, Vinnie Perry, Josh Wisson, Johan Caney-Bryan, Jake Embery, Oliver Bussey (Jake Lemar 72 mins).

 

Scorers: Cray Valley PM - Adam Coombes 14 & 39 mins, Kyrell Lisbie 48 mins, Julien Anau 74 mins

 

Yellow Card: Harry Rowland 18 mins.

 

Attendance: 264

Report by Tom Ellerby

 

 

Broadbridge Heath 2 Hythe Town 0

Pitching In Isthmian League South-East

Saturday 20^th April 2024

 

The Cannons really deserved something out of Saturday’s final away game at Broadbridge Heath but were stung by two goals in injury time that meant they fell to another defeat.

 

New manager Sammy Moore made two changes from the side who lost at home to Sittingbourne in midweek as Lewis Briggs came into replace stand in keeper Sam Flisher and Bradley Schafer coming in for Josh Stirman.

 

The early exchanges were even as both sides looked to create chances and the first opportunity came for Broadbridge Heath on twenty minutes as Mason Doughty worked his way in, but the Hythe defence stood firm as Liam Smith did well to head away for a corner. Another effort came quickly for the hosts as Sam Lemon sent an effort high over the bar.  Hythe had their first chance on 25 minutes as Josh Wisson blasted over. It was now the visitors who were creating the openings as Schafer received the ball, but he rifled his shot over the bar and then Jake Embery on the turn fired wide.

 

A mistake in the Hythe defence five minutes before the break left Doughty free but he screwed his opportunity wide. Louis Evans had a shot spilled by Hythe keeper Lewis Briggs, but he made up for his error as he saved brilliantly from Callum Dowdell who was following up.

 

The second half started slowly until on 56 minutes Dowdell cut in and shot just the wrong side of the upright and very soon he was to drill another effort wide. A neat move by Hythe followed as Oscar Webb sent in a free kick which was met by an overhead kick from Schafer that went over. The game was now going end to end as both Liam Smith and Briggs blocked. Hythe were still threatening as a curling effort from Aaron Barnes went just over the bar and then Embery from a tight angle had a shot saved well by Broadbridge Heath keeper George Clark Evans.

 

Then came the moment that made things very hard for the visitors as Johan Caney-Bryan received a red card following an altercation on the lefthand side. However, just on 90 minutes Hythe were denied as a curling free kick from Schafer was well saved by Clark Evans.

 

Just as it looked like the Cannons were going to hold on for a point a long Kyle Sim throw-in from the right was headed home by Tad Bromage coming off the underside of the crossbar. There could have been a Hythe equaliser a minute later as Wisson beat Clark Evans, but Ryan Brackpool was on the line to clear away. From the breakaway Lemon broke down the left and slotted past Briggs to make it 2-0.

 

It was a difficult pill for Hythe to swallow and they must regroup quickly as they take on Cray Valley PM on Tuesday night for their penultimate game of the season. Kick off at Reachfields will be 7:45pm.

 

Team: Lewis Briggs, Harry Rowland, Kian Garlinge (Lex Allan 50 mins), Josh Wisson, Jack Steventon, Liam Smith, Aaron Barnes, Jake Embery, Johan Caney-Bryan, Bradley Schafer, Oscar Webb. Subs not used: Ethan Smith, Josh Stirman, Sam Flisher

 

Scorers: Broadbridge Heath - Tadley Bromage 90+2 mins, Sam Lemon 90+3 mins

 

Red Card: Johan Caney-Bryan 75 mins.

Yellow Cards: Kian Garlinge 49 mins, Bradley Schafer 54 mins, Josh Wisson 72 mins, Jake Embery 76 mins, Liam Smith 85 mins.

 

 

Attendance: 304.

The Club are delighted to announce the appointment of local and non league manager Sammy Moore as the successor to fans favourite Steve Watt

 

Sammy brings experience, enthusiasm and charisma as well as living a stones throw from

Reachfields. 

 

His management team will include his long time friend and UEFA B Coach Darren Beale with the possibility of a further 'new' face to be confirmed. 

 

The first challenge is to complete the season with a depleted looking squad suffering from injuries and availability issues!

 

He and his management team will then begin the process of rebuilding and shaping a new squad for the 24-25 Season which kicks off on Saturday August 10th. 

 

The Club had a wealth of applications from the very experienced non league scene right through to former Premiership players, oh and of course the funny ones too. 

 

Having shortlisted three exciting candidates the Board agreed unanimously on the appointment of Sammy Moore and look forward to renewed vigour. 

 

 

I'm sure you will offer Sammy and his management team a very warm welcome. 

Hythe Town 0 Sittingbourne 1

Pitching In Isthmian League South-East

Tuesday 16^th April 2024

 

Hythe put up a valiant effort on Tuesday night with dwindling numbers of available players, as they went down 1-0 at home to Sittingbourne at Reachfields. On his final match as caretaker manager before Sammy Moore takes over, Alex Flisher made two changes from Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Phoenix Sports, as the injured Brad Schafer and Steve Phillips were replaced by Troy Howard and Sam Flisher who, despite being a right-back by trade, came in as goalkeeper.

 

Despite the odds being stacked against the Cannons, it was a very even start to the match, and Hythe had the first chance on six minutes, as an Oscar Webb corner was deflected by a Sittingbourne defender onto the head of Harry Rowland, whose effort nustled into the roof of the net. The Brickies got their first chance on 17 minutes, when Harry Hope darted forward and got a shot away, which Sam Flisher managed to push away to his right for a corner. Flisher was once again the saviour on 22 minutes, as a shot from a Sittingbourne player was saved by his legs, before Harry Hope slammed a shot on the rebound off the underside of the crossbar.

 

On 31 minutes, Hythe had to deal with another setback after Josh Stirman was given a straight red card from the referee following a comment made on the pitch. Despite Hythe's bold attempt at keeping a clean sheet, it wasn't meant to be, and in the 41st minute a shot towards goal was saved by Sam Flisher, but Chris Harris managed to head the ball on the rebound and, despite Flisher getting a hand to it, the ball crept in to give the visitors the lead going into half-time.

 

In the second half, the fans continued to see a very balanced match between the two sides. The first chance came on 65 minutes, as Jake Embery received the ball for Hythe and opted to shoot from 25 yards out - his shot went just over the crossbar. The second half went on without either side managing to register a chance, but on 90 minutes, Kian Garlinge was shown a second yellow card, meaning Hythe were down to nine men. Despite this, Sittingbourne couldn't take advantage when goal scorer Chris Harris hit a shot at goal which Sam Flisher parried away to top off a solid performance between the sticks.

 

The result does mean that Hythe have lost nine matches in a row, but the fight shown from the players was admirable, as they failed to go down without a fight. With this being Alex Flisher's final game as caretaker manager, there should be some optimism around the club as we await Sammy Moore's first match in charge away to Broadbridge Heath on Saturday, with the game kicking off at 3pm.

 

Team: Sam Flisher, Kian Garlinge, Harry Rowland (Lex Allan 90 +1 mins), Oscar Webb (Jack Steventon 90+1 mins), Josh Wisson, Liam Smith, Aaron Barnes, Jake Embery, Johan Caney-Bryan, Josh Stirman, Troy Howard. Subs Unused: Ethan Smith, Jarred Trespaderne, Bradley Schafer.

 

Scorer: Sittingbourne – Charlie Harris 41 mins.

 

Red Cards: Josh Stirman 31 mins, Kian Garlinge 90+4 mins (Second Yellow Card)

Yellow Cards: Josh Wisson 84 mins, Oscar Webb 90 mins, Sam Flisher 90+6 mins.

 

Attendance: 155

 

 

Report by Tom Ellerby

Hythe Town 0 Phoenix Sports 1

Pitching In Isthmian League South-East

Saturday 13^th April 2024

 

Hythe lost their eighth game in a row on Saturday afternoon, going 1-0 down against Phoenix Sports. With his squad wearing thin due to injuries, interim manager Alex Flisher made three changes from Tuesday night's hammering away to Three Bridges, as Josh Stirman, Josh Wisson and Aaron Barnes replaced Sam Itauma, Kai Garande and Josh Vincent, who were all unavailable.

 

The first chance went Hythe's way on 11 minutes, when Jake Embery shifted the ball to Aaron Barnes, who played it to the onrushing Josh Wisson - his powerful first-time shot from just outside the box went just past the post. However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock two minutes later as a loose ball in the penalty area was tucked into the net by Ryan Hayes past former Phoenix stopper Steve Phillips.

 

The first half went on without any notable opportunities for either side until right at the end of the half, when Oscar Webb received a long ball and ran into the box, but went to the floor before he could get his shot away, as the calls for a penalty were waved away by referee Peter Conn.

 

In the second half, Hythe were inches away from equalising on 54 minutes through an Oscar Webb free kick from 25 yards out, which he placed onto the head of Josh Wisson, who nodded the ball narrowly wide of the post. On 65 minutes, it was almost 2-0 to Phoenix, when goal scorer Ryan Hayes managed to get a powerful shot on target from range which Steve Phillips had to react quickly to, catching the ball before it could go in. The last ten minutes of the match were played almost exclusively in the visitors' own half as they struggled to clear the ball away, but Hythe were unable to do anything with the ball. One last hope for a point came in stoppage time, as Brad Schafer tried to break through the defence but was brought down just outside the box. Oscar Webb stepped up to take the free kick, blazing it over the bar.

 

The full-time whistle blew to mark another defeat for Hythe, but an important victory for Phoenix Sports, who are now guaranteed a place in next season's Isthmian League South-East Division. Hythe are back in action on Tuesday night as they entertain Sittingbourne, who sit third in the table, at Reachfields at 7:45pm.

 

Team: Steve Phillips, Kian Garlinge, Bradley Schafer, Josh Wisson, Liam Smith, Harry Rowland, Aaron Barnes, Josh Stirman (Jack Steventon 79 mins), Johan Caney-Bryan, Oscar Webb, Jake Embery. Subs Unused: Lex Allan, Jarred Trespaderne, Sam Flisher, Ethan Smith.

 

Scorer: Phoenix Sports – Ryan Hayes 13 mins.

 

Yellow Card: Josh Stirman 45 + 2 mins.

 

 

Attendance: 170