Whatever manager Sam Denly said to the team following the poor performance last Tuesday certainly had a massive impact as Hythe ran out 3-1 winners at home to league leaders Hastings United on Saturday afternoon.
The Cannons were put under severe pressure right from the start as Hastings were certainly first out of the blocks. Dajon Golding was the instigator behind the early chances as he shot over the bar after seven minutes and then he charged through the Hythe defence down the right hand side but he was blocked by the advancing Hythe keeper, George Kamurasi. Kamurasi was to deny him again when he blocked a side-footed shot. However with their very first attack the Cannons were to take the lead. Zak Ansah pounced on a poor back pass from Sam Beale that was not cleared by Hastings keeper Charlie Horlock. Ansah took the ball from his feet and walked it into the net.
This certainly inspired the Cannons as they were unlucky not to increase their lead on 22 minutes as Charlie Webster unleashed a speculative shot that slammed against the upright with Horlock beaten. However, they did go 2-0 up on 25 minutes as more hesitation in the Hastings defence led to Ansah stealing the ball and slamming the ball home. Hastings did threaten but were superbly held by the Cannons defence with both centre backs Nathan Daly and Mitchell Dickenson dominant. Hastings were limited to one chance before the break as a Sonny Dullaway was headed over by Jack Dixon. One more effort just before the break saw Kieron Campbell force his way into the penalty area but his final attempt was blocked.
Then second period started with Hythe on the front foot as Nigel Nieta played the ball into Ansah who launched the ball over the bar. On 54 minutes Hythe sealed the points as they went three up. Webster fired a shot that forced Horlock to save. The ball was pushed out to Sylvan Kisitu who played the ball into Ansah who stroked the ball home for his hat-trick. Hastings did look to get back in the game and were awarded a free kick in a very dangerous position on the edge of the penalty area but Sam Cruttwell had his kick deflected wide for a corner. Any attack from the visitors was easily snuffed out by the resolute Hythe defence.
As the game went into injury time Hythe’s Jack Sammoutis had a shot blocked and then immediately at the other end Hastings got a late consolation with an excellent strike from 25 yards from Hassan Ibrahim that sailed into the net giving Kamurasi no chance. It was too little, too late as the Cannons held onto all three points.
The win has taken Hythe into fifth place in the league but the next game will take them back into Cup action on Tuesday evening (18th September 2018) as they visit Herne Bay again but this time in the Velocity Trophy.
Team: George Kamurasi, Salvyn Kisitu, Chris Kinnear, Nathan Daly, Mitchell Dickenson, Jack Sammoutis (Euan Sahadow 90 mins), Charlie Webster, Zak Ansah, Nigel Neita, Kieron Campbell (Junior Aikhionbare 62 mins).
Scorers: Hythe Town – Zak Ansah 19, 24, & 54 mins. Hastings United – Hassan Ibrahim 90 mins
Attendance 332.