Kentish Express Ashford & District
CRAY VALLEY 1 HYTHE TOWN 1: DEBUTANT DEMBELE IN HURRY TO MAKE IMPRESSION
Kaka Dembele marked his debut with a goal as Hythe produced another resilient performance away to Isthmian South East leaders Cray Valley on Saturday.
Former Dartford, Thamesmead and Greenwich player Dembele joined fellow newcomer Eli Benoit in making his first start at The Badgers Sports Ground and fired Hythe in front early on.
Cray were level by halftime, but the Cannons, fresh from drawing 2-2 with 10 men against Whyteleafe the previous week, dug in again to take a well-deserved point. Hythe were without Kiernan Hughes-Mason (suspended) and Jamie Coyle (unavailable) but they began well and were ahead inside 10 minutes.
Dembele picked up the ball on the edge of the area and beat Cray Vally goalkeeper Andy Walker with a firm drive. Hythe were unlucky not to increase their lead six minutes later when Alex Flisher’s curling free-kick was palmed away by Walker.
Cray’s first serious threat came on 20 minutes when Anthony Edgar had an effort deflected wide, but within five minutes they had drawn level, ex-Cannon Warren Mfula heading home after an Ashley Sains corner had been flicked on.
For the remainder of the half Cray looked the most dangerous with veteran striker Kevin Lisbie bringing two comfortable saves out of Will Godmon.
The Hythe keeper, who enjoyed another excellent afternoon, was on hand again five minutes before the break as he blocked the ball and then, tracking back, saved the follow-up. Hythe felt they should have had a penalty early in the second half when Stephen Okoh appeared to be brought down but their appeals were waved away by the referee. Edgar then had two good chances at the other end, scooping one over the bar before heading into the arms of Godmon.
Lisbie saw his shot from a tight angle deflected for a corner but Hythe posed a threat on the break with Aaron Simpson’s cross headed over from closerange by Dembele.
Cray Valley tried to up the pressure in the final quarter but the Hythe defence stood firm and again the visitors went close when a dangerous James Rogers corner was only just headed away by the home defence.
Hythe substitute Alex Brown blasted into a crowded penalty area before the ball was cleared but during the final 10 minutes Hythe came under the cosh with Godmon forced to make a great stop from Matthew Warren’s header.
The same home player then shot wide before, in the dying seconds, Godmon distinguished himself again by pushing the ball around the post for a corner.
Hythe: Godmon,Divine, Simpson, Rogers, Rowe,
Benoit (Alex Brown 77 mins), Dembele, Ibbertson, Walmsley (Booth 77 mins), Flisher, Okoh; Subs (not used): Eka, Jacob Brown, Nicholls.
Attendance: 108