Hythe Town came away with their first win of 2019 thanks to a wonder second-half goal from Elliot Capel as they won 1-0 at home to Three Bridges on Saturday afternoon.
The game started slowly with the first opportunity coming in the ninth minute as Jack Sammoutis laid the ball off to Ryan Palmer whose shot was tipped over by Bridges’ keeper James Shaw. The visitors had to wait until the 12th minute to first threaten as Alex Clark played the ball across but Connor French sent the ball wide with his knee and then Clark, who started brightly was involved again as he passed to John Ufuah who shot straight at Hythe keeper, George Kamurasi.
Clark this time put in an effort of his own but the ball went straight into the side netting. Hythe were having their share of the action as a Palmer free kick from just outside the area was saved at the near post by Shaw and then twenty minutes Kamurasi had to be alert as he saved with his legs from a shot by Ibby Akanbi.
Hythe then began to look the more likely as Salvyn Kisitu crossed in from the right to Ansah who sent his side footed effort the wrong side of the post. Aziz Lyoubi who was playing in midfield also got the ball into Ansah but his attempt went just over. Charlie Webster was the next to create as he fed Palmer but he shot straight at the arms of Shaw.
Bridges were still creating some of their own chances as Akanbi worked his way through but Kamurasi was quick to block and then at the other end Sammoutis neatly chipped the ball through to Ansah whose final effort went wide. As the half came towards its close Bridges had two opportunities as Akanbi charged in with his final effort forcing Kamurasi to save to his left at full stretch and then Lyoubi failed to clear but Brannon O’Neill failed to test Kamurasi with his final attempt as the keeper saved easily.
The second half started as the first with few opportunities until 52 minutes as Ansah turned and shot forcing Shaw to block sending the ball away for a corner and then at the other end French put Ufuah away but his final angle was too tight and he sent the ball over the bar. A neat one-two between Sammoutis and Ansah followed with the latter side footing over the bar.
Then, on 71 minutes, the moment came that gave the Cannons all three points as a neat passing movement ended with Elliot Capel who from the edge of the area looped a perfect ball over Shaw and into far side of the net to give him his first goal in a Hythe shirt.
A long period followed where neither side threatened with two chances for Bridges to get an equaliser as firstly French had a shot from close range but Kamurasi saved well and then a melee in the Hythe penalty area ended with Kamurasi smothering the ball. In between a moment of indiscipline from Bridges’ Joe Tennant led to a second yellow card and an early exit from the game.
Hythe held on for the three points that takes them up to seventh place with a visit coming up to Faversham Town on Tuesday evening with a 7:45pm kick off.
Team: George Kamurasi, Salvyn Kisitu, Elliot Capel, Charlie Webster, Ollie Rowe, Mitchell Dickenson, Aziz Lyoubi (Kane Phillip 62 mins), Jack Sammoutis, Zak Ansah, Ryan Palmer, Kieron Campbell (Nigel Neita 82 mins).
Scorer: Hythe Town – Elliot Capel 71 mins.
Attendance: 208