Fellow strugglers make most of Cannons’ failure to fire

the basement and left Ramsgate the only team below Hythe, who have just three points to show from their opening five matches before last night’s (Tuesday) clash at home to Sevenoaks.

Watt wasted little time in bringing in new faces, signing defenders Danny Divine, from Maidstone, and Hamilton Bunga, who is playing for free while he tries to earn a deal.

Right-back Divine was into the action early when he crossed for Frannie Collin, whose shot went just wide.

And Hythe thought they had gone ahead on 13 minutes when Rhys Bartlett fired home from Tom Carlton’s pass, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

As Hythe continued to press Collin found Bartlett who was off balance as he shot wide and Ollie Rowe and Carlton were denied in quick succession by the home defence.

It was 34 minutes before Phoenix threatened as Connor McGrady put in a dangerous ball – but before anyone could convert the referee penalised the home side for an infringement on Hythe keeper Ryan Nicholls. Phoenix appeared to spring into life after that and Divine needed to be alert to clear a deep cross from

Aileru.

Bartlett then hit the side netting while at the other end Jeff Duah-Kessie’s curling shot was well held by Nicholls who, on the stoke of half-time, saved well from Ben Allen’s deep cross and then Duah-Kessie’s shot.

The deadlock was broken on 55 minutes when Aileru burst through unchallenged and found the corner and within three minutes Hythe were punished again, Nicholls hesitating leaving Aileru to push the ball past him.

As Hythe sought a way back Charlie Webster saw an effort blocked by Phoenix stopper Steve Phillips, who also saved from Stephen Okoh. In between Carlton worked an opening which he fired past the post. Phoenix almost added a third but Divine hooked away from underneath the crossbar and Duah-Kessie clipped the top of the woodwork.

Hythe: Nicholls, Divine, Cooper, Bramble (Kinnear 78 mins), Rowe, Bunga, Carlton, Webster, Okoh, Collin, Bartlett (Walmsley 60 mins). Attendance: 110.

Ashford United skipper and goalscorer Alfie Prior keeps his eye on the ball against Tonbridge