A PAIR OF JACKS WINS IT!
ALATE Jack Sampson strike broke the hearts of Hythe Town as they bowed out of the Trophy against National League North side Chorley at Reachfields despite going a goal in front.
Ethan Embury put the Step 4 Cannons in dreamland with a 32nd-minute opener, only for Jack Hazlehurst to equalise for Chorley just before the break.
Hythe held their own after the break but the National League North side ensured there was to be no shock with Jack Sampson netting the winner 16 minutes from time.
“We showed guts and desire to win it, if you don’t show togetherness and willingness you’ll get nothing here today,” said Chorley’s boss Andy Preece.
“It was a difficult surface and both teams had to play in a certain way, cancelling each other out early on.
“We had our best 10 minutes towards the end when we scored. It gave us belief as we had to scrap.
“They are a very good side, they’ve already beaten two teams at our level so are well capable of doing that to us.”
An even opener saw chances at both ends; Chorley’s Carlton Ubaezouno seeing his shot saved by Steve Philips in the Cannons goal, while Aaron Barnes shot over in reply for the home side.
But, to the delight of the majority of the 736 in attendance, it was Hythe who took the lead on 32 minutes when Barnes’ cross rebounded out of Matt Urwin’s arms and fell to Embery, who poked home from a couple of yards.
It was no more than the Isthmian South East side deserved.
But, just as they were contemplating going in at halftime in front, the home defence failed a clear a Chorley corner and Hazlehurst curled the ball past Phillips for the equaliser.
This proved to be the turning point in the tie as Chorley made their two-tier difference tell.
The Magpies started to get a passing game together and they should have gone in front when Justin Johnson was put through one-on-one with Phillips but blasted his effort over.
The second half, however, wasn’t all one-way traffic as Hythe held their own for long spells, Embery seeing his header saved by Urwin.
But on 74 minutes, Chorley made their big moment count when a free-kick on the far left bye-line was headed in from close range by Sampson to the delight of the visiting supporters.
Hythe boss Steve Watt was pragmatic in defeat, adding: “I’m proud of my players. At the end of the day, we didn’t get the luck of the game, but that’s football.
“We’ve had a great run but the league is our bread and butter and if you had offered us to beat Lancing this Tuesday and to lose this I’d have bitten your hand off.
“Winning on Tuesday would certainly soften the blow.”