Bostik League Premier, Tonbridge Angels ran out deserved winners as they showed their superior status in a 2-0 win at Hythe Town on Saturday afternoon.
The early pressure came from the visitors as they had their first attack 30 seconds after the start with Adem Ramadan sending a dipping shot just over the bar. Hythe did have their first opportunity on four minutes as Kieron Campbell played in Zak Ansah whose shot on the turn went into the arms of Angel’s keeper Jon Henly.
Tonbridge looked the more dangerous and were ahead on seven minutes. Ramadan sent in a cross from the right that was met by Alex Reid who bundled the ball over the line. The pressure was maintained on the Hythe defence as they had two attacks blocked by the Cannons. Firstly Nathan Daly blocked an attempt from Joe Turner and then Ansah got in the way of a Tommy Whitnell effort.
Hythe did have a bright spell when they had three consecutive corners in a short period of time but were unable to capitalise and it was Angels who took back the initiative as Turner crossed to Whitnell in a threatening position but the visiting striker got the ball stuck between his feet and was unable to get an effort away. Hythe keeper, George Kamurasi had to be at this best as he blocked an effort from ex-Hythe player Tom Parkinson and then Ramadan sent in another looping shot that went just over. Kamurasi was forced into the action again on 28 minutes as Jack Parter played the ball into Turner who drive flew into the keeper’s arms.
A rare Cannons attack on half an hour saw Nigel Neita force his way into the penalty area but Henly was to save well. The Cannons had absorbed a lot of pressure throughout the half and maybe consider themselves fortunate to go in only one down.
The second half again saw Angels dominant. Whitnell was to have an early effort that looped over the bar and then the ever dangerous Ramadan played the ball into Whitnell forcing Charlie Webster to block well. Whitnell was then to cross Arthur Lee but the defender headed wide at the far post. There was then a long period of Tonbridge pressure but few chances were created. Hythe were restricted to the odd breakaway as Webster passed to Ryan Palmer whose cross found debutant Euan Sahadow who headed just over.
However Tonbridge were to get the goal that was to seal the tie on 81 minutes as another former Cannon, Liam King played the ball back to Reid who slammed it home. A minute later Reid nearly completed his hat-trick as his bullet shot went straight at Kamurasi who held onto the ball. Kamurasi then saved well as he pushed the ball around the post from a Turner shot.
It was never to be for the Cannons who were beaten by the better side on the day and now have another Cup Tie to look forward at Herne Bay in the 2nd Round of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup at Herne Bay on Tuesday evening (11th September 2018).
Team: George Kamurasi, Charlie Webster, Aziz Lyoubi, Chris Kinnear, Nathan Daly, Mitchell Dickenson, Ryan Palmer, Nigel Neita (Junior Aikionbare 67 mins), Zak Ansah, Jack Sammoutis (Salvyn Kisitu 85 mins), Kieron Campbell (Euan Sahadow 67 mins).
Scorers: Tonbridge Angels-Alex Reid 7 & 81 mins.
Attendance: 502