Kentish Express Ashford & District
Blackman says goodbye in style
HYTHE TOWN 2 EAST GRINSTEAD 1
Sam Blackman signed off his loan spell with Hythe in the best possible fashion at Reachfields on Saturday.
The 24-year-old midfielder snatched a stoppage-time winner – his fourth goal in a highly productive spell since signing on a month-long deal from Dartford. Saturday’s win made it 13 points from the last 18 for Steve Watt’s side and moved them up to 14th in Isthmian South East, just five points off the play-offs, ahead of last night’s (Tuesday) matches.
The Cannons dominated the opening half with the game’s first chance coming after only two minutes when Charlie Webster’s shot was deflected away. From
Kaka Dembele’s corner, Jamie Coyle volleyed over at the far post.
Blackman then side-footed over from Alex Flisher’s pass before Dembele sent in another cross that was headed into the arms of keeper Benjamin Dudzinski.
The breakthrough when it came was deserved but there was an element of fortune about it as Dembele’s 44th-minute cross was turned into his own net by Jonathan Moanda.
Hythe picked up where they left off at the start of the second half as Coyle played in Flisher whose attempt was deflected wide.
The visitors had a scare not long after when Drew Cooney’s back pass forced a headed clearance from keeper Dudzinski.
East Grinstead looked a little more threatening, however, with a corner from Reece Williams-Bowers being met at the near post by Smith who hit the ball just the wrong side of the upright.
The experienced Carvalho then looked to capitalise on a home defensive error but Hythe keeper Will Godmon spread himself well to save
With 10 minutes remaining the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Cooney was given a straight red card for a heavy challenge.
The visitors drew level on 87 minutes when Michael Uwezu burst through and unleashed a shot into the top corner.
But in the first minute of injury time, Blackman picked up the ball on the left and fired home into the far corner.
Hythe: Godmon, Ibbertson, Gordon, Rogers, Coyle, Wynter, Dembele (Walder 90 mins), Webster, Flisher, Blackman, Okoh (Collin 71 mins); Subs (not used): Walmsley, Trespaderne, Brown. Attendance: 191.