The Cannons had a late Zak Ansah penalty to thank for their 1-0 win against Whyteleafe at Reachfields on Saturday afternoon.
It was Hythe who started with more positive intent and could have taken the lead within the first minute as a Kieron Campbell cross from the left went across the goalmouth with Sid Sollis stretching at the far post to reach the ball but he was unable to get a touch and the chance was gone. The meaningful chances continued to fall for Hythe as a long-range effort from Campbell drifted just wide and then Joey Taylor fed the ball into Chris Kinnear whose 25-yard attempt was tipped over by Whyteleafe keeper, Tyler McCarthy. From the resultant corner Sollis had a shot blocked.
Whyteleafe had to wait to the 17th minute for their first effort as Kelvin Ogboe crossed into former Hythe favourite Junior Aikhionbare but he pushed the ball wide of the target. The visitors then had another attempt as Bentley Graham pulled a shot wide of the target. However, it was the hosts who looked the more likely to break the deadlock as Sollis shot from a tight angle into the arms of McCarthy and then Tom Carlton forced another save from the keeper from the same angle. Before half-time, Kinnear shot just wide and Campbell rifled the ball over the bar.
The second-half started slowly with the early chances coming for Whyteleafe as Matthew McDonoghue pulled a shot wide and substitute Valentino Carpene broke free down the left but sent his effort past the far post. Despite having the early pressure of the half Whyteleafe never really tested Hythe keeper, Tony Coxall who was well protected by the Hythe defence marshalled by Mitchell Dickenson and Ollie Rowe.
Hythe then began to look the more dangerous as Ansah broke free but lifted the ball over the bar and then on 81 minutes came the passage of play that ended with the winner. Kinnear found himself on the edge of the area and he unleashed a shot that forced McCarthy to parry the ball away for a corner. From the resultant kick the ball was handled by a visiting defender and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Ansah who slammed his penalty into the top of the net giving McCarthy no chance,
There was a late attempt for Whyteleafe deep in injury time as a deep free kick from Bradley Wilson nearly found Bryan Akongo but despite being at full stretch couldn’t get anything on the ball. Hythe moved up to sixth place but sit nine points outside the play-off zone. They now look forward to a derby fixture next Saturday (16th March 2019) as they entertain Ramsgate. Kick-off will be 3pm.
Team: Tony Coxall, Salvyn Kisitu, Joey Taylor, Chris Kinnear, Ollie Rowe, Mitchell Dickenson, Charlie Webster (Elliot Capel 63 mins), Tom Carlton, Zak Ansah, Sid Sollis (Ryan Palmer 63 mins), Kieron Campbell.
Scorer: Hythe Town – Zak Ansah 81 mins (pen)
Attendance 212