The Cannons were understandably less inhibited on Tuesday night in Herne Bay than they had been against Premier Division table-toppers Tonbridge Angels at Reachfields on the previous Saturday.

Despite that the result was similar as Town made their second Cup exit in four days, thus spurning the chance to reach the Quarter-Finals of this year’s Kent Senior Cup.

Sam Denly brought in Jack Negus at the back and Charlie Owen in midfield and gave new signing Euan Sahadow his first start, and the line-up seemed strong enough to achieve a result if only the home defence could be breached. Breached it was on several occasions but getting the ball over that final line was as difficult here as it had been in the first 95 minutes in the last league match at Haywards Heath.

No such problems for the Bay though as an eighth minute free kick from the left corner had the Hythe defence static and Luis Medina swept the ball home for the opening goal.

Hythe hit back quickly with Zak Ansah running in clear from the left on Jordan Beeney only to see his attempt saved by the impressive home keeper. Mitchell Chapman then fired fiercely from close range but his attempt was just over. Both sides were committed to the attack but it was noticeable that the hosts were both quicker and less wasteful with their work.

On 35 minutes home danger man Tom Carlton crashed a tremendous 30 yarder at George Kamurasi that was well saved by the keeper onto the bar and out. The same man went close with a drive just a few seconds later, whilst at the other end Sahadow released Ansah to fire over.

As the petty foul count rose Carlton was Bay’s dead ball man and Jake Embery was the beneficiary as he headed in from close range to make it 2-0.

There was still time for a chance for Hythe to get back when a penalty was awarded for handball but Zak Ansah’s effort was well saved by Beeney diving low to his left.

Hythe upped the ante in the second period and ex-Bay man Junior Akhionbare was having some fine runs down the right wing, but the home threat was ever-present and a free kick from the right was bundled away as it deflected off the woodwork and out to safety. On 55 minutes Charlie Owen and Euan Sahadow were replaced by Kieron Campbell and Nigel Neita but there was little change in the shape of a game that continued to be punctuated by a series of petty fouls and yellow cards. That was until misunderstanding in the Hythe defence led to a chance for Carlton to gleefully pounce and place the ball into the open goal.

With the game now apparently lost Hythe attacks were becoming more frenzied but as when Ansah was put well clear on the left, the final cross or pass was lacking in accuracy.

Mitchell Chapman produced a pin-point cross from the touchline that Neita  headed just over but this merely served to remind Hythe supporters of the many scoring chances that have been squandered in the opening weeks of the new season.

Mitchell Dickenson pulled off a tremendous last ditch tackle to deny a fourth goal and Nathan Daly was thankful to escape when he was closed down as he prepared to kick up field but the last chances in the game fell to Akhionbare who went just wide with an overhead attempt and to Ansah who had another attempt smothered by Beeney.

All in all a fast-paced Kent cup tie but with no real doubt about the result from the opening minutes. The other main talking point was the number of cautions handed out by referee Richard Joss some of which were totally justified–perhaps a few others less so. In the rather patchy lighting it was difficult to be certain of the count, but safe to say the KFA will have been duly grateful. Perhaps these two sides can learn to get on a little better when they meet again next Tuesday in the League Cup.

In the meantime there is the tasty challenge from Hastings United to be witnessed at Reachfields on Saturday (15th).

Team: George Kasmurasi, Jack Negus (Aziz Lyoubi 75 mins), Salvyn Kisitu, Mitchell Chapman, Nathan Daly, Mitchell Dickenson, Junior Akhionbare, Charlie Owen (Nigel Neita 55 mins), Zak Ansah, Jack Sammoutis, Euan Sahadow (Kieron Campbell 55 mins)

Scorers: Herne Bay – Luis Medina 7 mins, Jake Embery 40 mins, Tom Carlton 62 mins.

Attendance 169