Ansah ends lean spell with winner

Zak Ansah scored his 30th goal of the season to lift Hythe up to sixth in Bostik South East on Saturday.

The striker converted a late penalty at Reachfields to move the Cannons above visitors Whyteleafe.

Hythe may have left it late but manager Sam Denly felt they were good value for the win. He said: “It was a good, professional performance from start to finish. We deserved to win, dominated the game and created quite a few chances. “I was starting to think it was one of those days again but it was good to get the win and a clean sheet.

“I don’t think our keeper had a shot to save all game. They had a couple of chances but nothing testing the keeper. “Time was wearing thin a little bit but we got the penalty and Zak put it away comfortably. “Generally, our home form has been excellent. It’s our away form that’s been a concern but this was another good performance at home.”

Sid Sollis almost converted a Kieron Campbell cross early on and Chris Kinnear’s long shot forced a good save from Tyler McCarthy.

At the other end, Junior Aikhionbare and Bentley Graham both failed to hit the target before McCarthy denied Sollis and Tom Carlton.

Hythe keeper Tony Coxall was well-protected by his defence and the hosts finally broke the deadlock seven minutes from time. Kinnear’s shot was pushed behind for a corner and when the set-piece came in, one of the Leafe players handled the ball.

Ansah had only scored in one of his previous nine games but he held his nerve to beat McCarthy from 12 yards.

Denly admitted: “He’s had a quiet four or five weeks but he’s always a threat. He’s getting in good areas still and getting opportunities.”

Hythe: Coxall, Kisitu, Taylor, Kinnear, Rowe,

Dickenson, Webster (Capel 63mins), Carlton, Ansah, Sollis (Palmer 63mins), Campbell. Subs not used: Smith, Carney.

Attendance: 212.