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Hythe go top as Sevenoaks miss out

Sevenoaks Town missed out on a great opportunity to go second in the Go Travel Kent League on Saturday losing 2-1 to Hythe Town at Greatness Park - who overtook Whitstable Town at the top of the table.

With the benefit of the strong wind in the first half, Sevenoaks pinned the visitors back for the opening 15 minutes of the game but couldn't capitalise on their greater possession.

Hythe goalkeeper Nick Day only had to make one serious save that came from Gary Wood, a new signing from Ryman Premier Division club Dover Athletic.

The half wore on and Hythe settled down and with the constant threat of forwards Mark Pollard and Roy Godden, the home defenders had to be constantly alert.

The turning point in the first half came on the half hour mark when a bizzare decision from referee Morgan saw two players from each side being sent off.

Sevenoaks player Dave Forster was allegedly meant to have stamped on a Hythe player who then struck out at Forster.

At best, both players should have been shown a yellow card.

Without the infleuential Forster the home team had to reorganise their midfield with Clarke pushing up from defence.

It was Clarke, however, who had the best effort of the half as his twenty-yard free kick was spilled but Wood was unable to convert the rebound.

On the stroke of half time, Hythe got the all important first goal.  A long throw was flicked on by Pollard and his strike partner Godden was on hand to power home a header from six-yards.

Sevenoaks started the second half well and were on level terms within five minutes.

A ball played into the six-yard box was headed home by former Dover striker Wood as the forward stopped low to head past a diving Day.

Sevenoaks tried to work an opening for the second goal but their final pass let them down.

Both Sevenoaks strikers Wood and Andy Constable were not getting the service they deserved.

Sensing that the three points were there for the taking, Hythe stepped their game up and put the home defence under considerable pressure.

The home side gave away a number of free kicks in dangerous areas.

From one of these, Hythe took the lead on 70 minutes.  Widnall's free kick was hooked home by defender Farrell Cox.

The visitors, however, held on for an important three points, and Sevenoaks will be looking to win the league's only midweek game when they face Erith Town at Greatness Park on Tuesday.

Sevenoaks Town: Smart, Johnson (Draper), Miles, Clarke, Underdown, Balmer, Aldridge (Ralph), Forster, Spillane (Bryce), Constable, Wood