The Cannons interest in the FA Trophy came to end for this season as they beaten 2-1 at home to Bostik Premier Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday afternoon.

Hythe started brightly but failed to create any early chances and it was the visitors who were first to threaten as after five minutes Jordan Westcott pulled a shot wide. Bishop’s Stortford took an early lead on ten minutes as the dangerous Johnville Renee crossed into ex-Norwich City and veteran striker Jamie Cureton who side-footed home into an empty net.  The threats continued as again Renee this time fed the ball to Alfie Mason whose shot was deflected wide.

Hythe had to wait until the 27th minute for their first clear-cut opportunity as Charlie Webster played the ball to Chris Kinnear who curled a shot just wide. Renee continued to test the home defence as he played the ball into Cureton whose final attempt rolled into the arms of Hythe keeper, George Kamurasi.  A neat move followed for the hosts and Kieron Campbell sent a pinpoint ball from the right over to the left wing to Salvyn Kisitu whose cross was headed over by Junior Aikhionbare.

Bishop’s Stortford were to increase their lead on 32 minutes as Renee sent in a deep cross from the right-hand side finding Mason at the far post who headed the ball home. However, the lead was narrowed on 36 minutes as Zak Ansah fed the ball to Nigel Neita who tucked the ball inside the right- hand post to make it 2-1.

The second half started slowly but after 52 minutes the referee waived away Hythe appeals for a penalty as Aikhionbare appeared to be brought down in the penalty area. At the other end a great interception by Aziz Lyoubi prevented a Stortford attack and then Kamurasi superbly blocked Cureton as the striker broke free. This was quickly followed by an attempt by Chris Gregan whose shot was lifted over the bar.  The game at this stage was going from end to end as Hythe’s Campbell picked up on the ball just outside the penalty area but his final effort flew over the bar.

Bishop’s Stortford were very unlucky on 67 minutes not to increase their lead as a Renee cross was headed onto the top of the crossbar by Cureton. Two minutes later Ansah attempted a lob as the saw Stortford keeper Calum Kitscha off his line but the ball drifted wide. Stortford’s Ryan Charles then came into the game firstly having a shot blocked by Kamurasi and then playing the ball into Cureton who was also denied by the Hythe keeper.

There were two late opportunities for the hosts to earn a replay as firstly Aikhionbare, Neita and Mitchell Dickenson had shots that were blocked in a melee in the Stortford penalty area and then Ansah turned in and shot but his effort slid wide. Bishop’s Stortford held onto to progress into the next round and Hythe return to league action next Saturday as they host Sittingbourne at Reachfields with a 3 pm kick-off.

Team: George Kamurasi, Salvyn Kisitu, Charlie Webster (Aziz Lyoubi 50 mins), Chris Kinnear (Jack Negus 67 mins), Nathan Daly, Mitchell Dickenson, Nigel Neita (Josh Stirman 88 mins), Junior Aikhionbare, Zak Ansah, Jack Sammoutis, Kieron Campbell.

Scorers: Hythe Town – Nigel Neita 36 mins.  Bishop’s Stortford – Jamie Cureton 10 mins, Alfie Mason 32 mins.

Attendance: 242.