Hythe Town 2 Cray Valley PM 4

Pitching In Isthmian League South East

Saturday 15th January 2021

 

A spirited Hythe side were defeated by a strong Cray Valley team on Saturday afternoon. James Rogers made just two changes from the 5-1 victory over South Park, with George Sibley replacing Jack Mayhew who picked up an injury shortly before kick-off, and Scott Doe coming in for Tom Wynter who was also out for the match.

 

The Millers started the game on the front foot and took the lead after just three minutes, as Denzel Gayle made a run into the box and fired the ball home. Scott Doe tried to push it clear, but despite taking a deflection, the ball still found the net. Fortunately, it took Hythe just a minute to respond, with Jack Nelson squaring the ball to Tyler Sterling who poked the ball in past the keeper. After 19 minutes, the Millers retook the lead through Marcel Barrington who ran past keeper Henry Newcombe and slammed it in. They almost scored their third ten minutes later, as Matthew A-Warren’s shot was punched away by Newcombe. On 37 minutes, Hythe came back once again to level the scores through Jacob Gilbert, who turned and nestled a shot just under the crossbar from outside the box, much to the delight of the supporters.

 

The two teams went into the changing rooms level at half time, and Hythe almost took the lead on 47 minutes with Jack Nelson’s run and shot from outside the box, however the ball sailed over the crossbar. A minute later the Millers almost regained the advantage in a goalmouth scramble, which Henry Newcombe dealt with by palming the ball away, allowing the Cannons defence to clear it.

 

In the 65th minute, Cray made it 3-2 with a highly controversial goal from Francis Babalola, who made a run through they Hythe defence, beating Scott Doe in the process, and hammering the ball home. The majority of the Hythe players and supporters believed there was a foul in the build-up, and they all surrounded the referee. However, his mind was made up and defender Scott Doe was sent off for his protests. Ten minutes later, Cray almost got their fourth, as Ali Tumkaya’s shot deflected off the crossbar. They hit the woodwork once again through Denzel Gayle, whose shot hit the post, with his rebound being blocked by the defence. Unfortunately, there was one more goal left in the game, and it went Cray’s way, as Francis Babalola backheeled the ball to Marcel Barrington who slotted the ball past Newcombe for a brace.

 

Despite the result, there were positives to be taken from the match for Hythe and James Rogers. The Cannons are back in action away at Sittingbourne next Saturday at 3pm.

 

Team: Henry Newcombe, Liam Smith, George Sibley, James Rogers, George Crimmen, Scott Doe, Luca Woodhouse (Riley Alford 72 mins), Charlie Webster, Jack Nelson (Jordan Sarfo 64 mins), Jacob Gilbert, Tyler Sterling. Sub Unused: Tom Walmsley

 

Scorers: Hythe Town - Tyler Sterling 4 mins, Jacob Gilbert 37 mins. Cray Valley PM - Denzel Gayle 3 mins , Marcel Barrington 19 mins & 88 mins, Francis Babalola 65 mins. 

 

Attendance: 221

 

Report by Tom Ellerby

The dates have now been confirmed of our forthcoming cup ties and rearranged fixtures. They are as follows 

 

Kent Senior Cup 2nd Round 

Away v Ramsgate   Tuesday 25th January 2022  Kick off 7:30pm

 

Velocity Trophy 3rd Round 

Away v Horsham  Tuesday 1st February 2022 Kick off 7:45pm 

 

League

Home v Whitehawk Tuesday 8th February 2022 Kick-off 7:45pm

As a new chapter starts at Hythe Town Football Club, the board of directors is looking at all avenues to put the club on a long-term sound financial footing.

 

We very much appreciate everyone who has rallied round to date, whether with one-off donations or via the Patrons Group. While we continue to search for a main club sponsor, a keyway to build resilience for the club is to have multiple backers so that we do not fall beholden once more to a single company or individual that then fails to deliver.

 

As a minimum we need to (a) retain our status as an Isthmian League club and (b) ensure the club remains solvent.

 

It took us many years to break out of the Kent League and achieve the higher level of football that we now compete at week in, week out. Of course, this came at a financial cost, but we do not want to take a backward step now.

 

If you - whether individually or via a business - would be willing to help, then we would love to hear from you. So too if you have any contacts that might be interested in helping us address the current financial shortfall.

 

 

Club Secretary, Martin Giles, comments: "We have cut the wages bill by something approaching 50% and any donations made either publicly or anonymously would help us to be more competitive. My contacts are martinandsuegiles@gmail.com and 01303 265962 or 07908 763101.  Alternatively, I would be happy to meet with anyone at the club where there is a card payment facility.”

Hythe Town is currently playing in its eleventh Isthmian League season having only once before this played at this level under the then chairman Tony Walton between 1989-92.

 

The club exists at this level mainly due to good housekeeping and generous sponsorship, for the town of Hythe is not a natural as far as football passion is concerned, although we do have some great supporters and loyal helpers.

 

This season we have been pleased to accept financial support from our three main sponsors and our Patrons Group, as well as anonymous donors.

 

We have also seen some benefit coming from a groundshare agreement with (Kent County League side) Ashford FC.

 

Unfortunately, with the onset of the pandemic we lost a main source of income from an anonymous donor whose vision for the club included the possibility of developing Reachfields Stadium into a local sporting hub for the community and despite receiving many assurances, this income has not restarted.

 

With this funding we could have planned a firm drive for promotion and set aside a sum for at least one season in the Isthmian Premier Division.

 

We could also have been planning for an artificial pitch that would have allowed us to stage Hythe Town Youth games at the stadium, as well as hiring out to other organisations.

 

Without that funding we have to face the fact that our present playing budget is unsustainable.

 

Ever since the crash in 1992 the club has been in the black with no debts and this remains the case today but without an injection of cash this would not be the case if we did nothing now.

 

We now enter a three-week period until 8 November when we will be inviting any local persons or commercial interests to come forward, whilst at the same time realising that these are not easy times for anybody.

 

During this time we will be maintaining the budget, which despite being a fairly competitive one is by no means extravagant for the division we are in.

 

Our players and management enjoy representing Hythe and regularly turn down offers from other Kent clubs who seem to have a sudden access to money – however temporary.

 

The club would ask that any offers of help, which would be "treated in confidence," are made directly to Mr Giles by email:

 

martinandsuegiles@gmail.com.