May The Force For Hythe

Herne Bay (0) 0

Hythe Town (1) 2
Alfie May 36
Liam Quinn 72 (og)

Attendance: 191

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Tuesday 27th October 2015.
(at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch’s Field)

Hythe Town continued their renaissance with this third win on the bounce to put further distance between them and the drop zone and condemn Bay to their first back to back defeat of the season, a defeat that sees their slide down the league table continue.

Ray Kelly writes: Herne Bay’s poor home form continued on Tuesday night , going down 2-0 to a resurgent Hythe Town at the Altira Stadium. The Bay have now taken only 2 points from a possible 12, at home and slide alarmingly down the League table. All thoughts of a play off place at the end of the season are now just wishful thinking it seems. Herne Bay made a slow start to this match, with Hythe totally dominant all over the field. Josh Burchell gave Michael Turner a real roasting down the left and Alfie May fully tested the Bay defence on numerous forays forward. On 15 minutes the first goal scoring chance fell to Hythe when they won a corner after a good run from Alfie May, the resulting kick was cleared off the line by Nathan Eastwood.

This was followed by Herne Bays first chance when Steven Ita scooted down the left flank before crossing to Joe Nelder who fluffed his shot in front of goal. Herne bay started to get back into the game but Craig Cloke and Nick Reeves remained resolute at the heart of the Hythe defence. At the other end only timely interventions from Liam Quinn and Nathan Eastwood prevented the lively Hythe forwards from being on target but on 36 minutes Hythe’s Alfie May raced through the Bay defence and fired in a unstoppable shot past Jack Delo to put Hythe 1-0 up.

Herne bay started the second half on the front foot with chances falling to Joe Nelder and Sam Hasler but there was no way past Cloke and Reeves in the well organised Hythe defence. On 57 minutes the Bay Manager withdrew Steven Ita and put on Kane Phillip. Liam Quinn and Kane Phillip both tested Joe Mant in the Hythe goal and on 68 minutes Sam Hasler was unlucky to see his stinging shot
hit the upright and rebound to safety.

Against the run of play , it must be said, Hythe Town increased the lead when an attempted clearance by Liam Quinn looped over a startled Jack Delo and into the net.

For the last 15 minutes Herne Bay had chances to get back on terms with Hythe , the first coming from Sam Hasler when he thumped in a shot that was going in but a last ditch clearance from Nick Reeves saved the day and a minute later Hythe’s Dave Cook headed off the line after a good effort from Kane Phillip.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner (james Turner 79), Nathan Eastwood, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Joe Nelder (Danny Williams 70), Mark Lovell, Sam Hasler, Steven Ita (Kane Phillip 59).

Subs not used: Gary Sayer, Harry Brown.

Sent Off: none Cautioned: Liam Quinn, Sam Hasler, Danny Williams, Danny Walder, Nathan Eastwood.

Referee: Garry Maskell Assistant Referees: Orville Bentley & Alexis Stacchini.

Man of the Match: Alfie May (Hythe Town)