The Cannons returned to winning ways after their defeat in midweek at Ramsgate with a comfortable 4-0 win over Phoenix Sports on a chilly Saturday afternoon.
Steve Watt made one change replacing the injured Frannie Collin with Marvin Hamilton who made a welcome return to the club.
It was the visitors who were first to threaten on six minutes as Gael Kileba surged down the left-hand side putting in a dangerous cross that forced a great interception by Liam Smith.
The game moved slowly as both sides tried to take the initiative with Hythe having to wait until the 19th minute for their first opportunity when a Hamilton long throw bounced around the penalty area before being cleared for a corner. Sixty seconds later the visitors took the lead as a shot from Bradley Schafer rebounded off the post falling to Liam Smith who put the ball into an empty net.
The goal gave the Cannons the initiative as an Aaron Barnes corner found Liam Smith who headed wide at the near post and then at the other end Tom O’Connor sent a shot high over the bar.
However, the majority of the pressure was coming from Hythe as Kai Garande crossed into Johan Caney-Bryan whose final effort was easily collected by Phoenix’s veteran goalkeeper Andy Walker. The sides went in at half-time with the hosts 1-0 down.
Within four minutes of the restart Hythe went further ahead as Jack Steventon played a long ball out of defence that found Jake Embery who calmly lobbed the balled over Walker and into the Phoenix net.
Three minutes later Barnes got the ball over the line, but the referee disallowed the goal for an infringement in the area.
Hythe keeper, Steve Phillips had to tip the ball over after an hour but there was now little threat from the hosts as the visitors took full control.
A couple of chances fell for Hythe as firstly Embery hit a long-range dipping shot that went just over and then Liam Smith had an effort that deflected off a defender that forced Walker made a great save.
On 77 minutes it was 3-0 as substitute Jarred Trespaderne played a high ball into the area finding Caney-Bryan who headed into the corner of the net.
Six minutes later a touch of class from Barnes as he patiently waited to find space in the penalty area before unleashing a shot over Walker into the top of the net to seal a comfortable win that takes the Cannons into ninth place with games in hand on all but one of the clubs above them.
They now move on to an away fixture against high flying Sittingbourne on Tuesday evening with the game kicking off at 7:45pm.
Team: Steve Phillips, Sam Flisher, Kai Garande, Jack Steventon, Liam Smith, Marvin Hamilton (Jarred Trespaderne 61 mins), Aaron Barnes, Ethan Smith, Johan Caney-Bryan (Josh Stirman 80 mins), Jake Embery (Kane Phillip 78 mins), Bradley Schafer.
Subs not used: Charles Noyelle, Frannie Collin.
Scorers: Hythe Town – Liam Smith 20 mins, Jake Embery 48 mins, Johan Caney-Bryan 74 mins, Aaron Barnes 81 mins.