Hythe Town came from behind to gain a deserved point in a 2-2 draw on a very windy afternoon at Walton Casuals on Saturday afternoon.

With the strong win behind, it was Hythe who started like an “express train” as they took the lead after only fifteen seconds as Kieron Campbell surged into the penalty area and planted the ball past Walton Casuals keeper, Denzel Gerrar.

Hythe continued to press as Dean Grant broke in through the Walton defence but the ball was blocked by Gerrar. After five minutes the Cannons were unlucky not to increase their lead as Jordan Johnson-Palmer, who had a strong game in midfield, slotted the ball through to Charlie Webster whose first effort was blocked. The rebound came back to Webster who smashed the ball against the bar.

It took a quarter of an hour for the hosts to create their first chance as Mohamed Abukar sent in a free-kick from 25 yards but it was easily collected by Hythe keeper, Will Godmon.

This was followed by a long range attempt from Jack Battie that sailed high over the bar. On twenty minutes Hythe threatened again as this time it was Jerson Dos Santos who beat two tackles to finally curl the ball which was well saved by Gerrar at full stretch to his left. It was Casuals who were now looking the more likely with Godmon tested twice.

Firstly he was quick off his line to steal the ball from Harry Mills’ feet and then he easily saved a shot from Josh Kelly. Kelly was to have another shot on 27 minutes which drifted wide of the target. Dos Santos did have an opportunity on 39 minutes when he got underneath a free kick from just outside the area that sailed over the bar.

Five minutes before the interval, Casuals should have been level as a neat interchange of the edge of the area resulted in the ball coming to Shaun McCormack who should have done better when he fired wide when it looked easier to hit the target.

However they were not to be denied and were level on the stroke of half time as Kelly had a shot parried by Godmon with ball coming back to Kelly who made no mistake planting the ball in the back of the net. Straight from the restart there was an effort from Campbell who fired a free kick just wide of the target.

It was Walton Casuals who started the second half with the wind at their back and were ahead after on 48 minutes when Abukar pounced on a defensive mistake and buried the ball in the back of the net from just outside the penalty area. Another error at the back saw Kelly have a shot that was deflected wide.

However Hythe were still creating chances and had two within a minute as firstly Dos Santos crossed to Grant who couldn’t get enough head on the ball to cause problems for Gerrar and then Grant pulled the ball back to Campbell who slammed the ball wide. McCormack then had an effort for the hosts as he broke into the penalty area and forced a good save from Godmon.

However Hythe eventually got the equaliser that they deserved on 70 minutes as Dos Santos broke down the by-line pulling the ball back to Grant who fired the ball towards goal and Dos Santos following through got the final touch home.

The game was now open for either team to take all three points as Grant hit a shot that lacked power and was easily collected by Gerrar and then he burst in from the right and slammed the ball against the post. At the other end Abukar twisted and turned before firing over from 25 yards. Neither side could break the deadlock with both teams taking a point which was a fair reflection of the game.

Hythe now have a break from league action as they visit Leatherhead next Saturday in the Buildbase FA Trophy.

Team: Will Godmon, Jerald Aboagye, Ryan Palmer, Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Dickenson, Jordan Johnson-Palmer (Mitchell Chapman 90 mins), Dave Cook, Charlie Webster, Dean Grant, Jerson Dos Santos (Sid Sollis 78 mins), Kieron Campbell.

 Scorers: Walton Casuals – Josh Kelly 45 mins, Mohamed Abukar 48 mins. Hythe Town – Kieron Campbell 1 min, Jerson Dos Santos 70 mins.

Attendance: 170