Former player sends Town to defeat

Hythe Town slipped to their first defeat in three Isthmian South East matches after a disappointing afternoon at Woodstock Park on Saturday.

Bourne’s former Cannon Johan Caney-Bryan scored the decisive goal early in the second half but Steve Watt’s side did have a couple of chances to earn a point.

The win was Bourne’s first at home in the league this season while defeat for Hythe followed back-toback 2-0 wins over Herne Bay and Haywards Heath.

There was little to choose between the sides early on although Sittingbourne had the first two opportunities. First Caney-Bryan produced a looping shot that was tipped over by Hythe keeper Will Godmon and then Tom Fagg saw his shot that drift wide.

Hythe’s first real sight of goal came on 19 minutes when Tom Carlton’s free-kick from the left faded past the far post.

There was a scare for the home side soon after when keeper Tom Benham hurt his ankle and looked like coming off.

Bourne appeared to be preparing to put striker Sid Sollis between the sticks but in the end Benham stayed on, although he no longer took goal-kicks. Carlton also headed over after a cross had been helped on by Astride Bassele and, as the half progressed, Hythe started to look the more threatening.

Kiernan Hughes-Mason played in Frannie Collin but his attempt went straight into the arms of Sittingbourne keeper Benham and then James Rogers tried his luck from 20 yards but his shot flew well over.

The second period started promisingly for Hythe with Carlton forcing a good save to his left by Benham who then kept out Bassele’s header from the resultant corner. However, just as it looked as though

Hythe were getting on top a break down the right by substitute Kane Phillip – another ex Cannon – was swept home by Caney-Bryan from the middle of the penalty area.

The goal, in the 51st minute, appeared to spark the hosts into life as Phillip forced Godmon to save his shot-on-the-turn.

Hythe’s best opportunity to equalise came on 58 minutes as Danny Divine’s corner was deflected onto Collin but his header went just over. At the other end Fagg blasted a shot into a crowd of players and it was cleared away.

Collin had another chance after being played in by new signing Jarred Trespaderne but the acting skipper’s shot was comfortably saved by Benham.

Callum Adonis-Taylor fired over and Jamie Coyle then headed over but that was as close as Hythe got against a side they had completed a double against last season.

Hythe: Godmon, Divine, Simpson, Rogers, Coyle, Rowe, Ibbertson, Carlton (Adonis-Taylor 79 mins), Hughes-Mason, Collin, Bassele (Trespaderne 60 mins). Subs (not used) Harding, Pickering, Griffiths, Brown, Eka. Attendance: 217