Erith Town 1-0 Hythe Town - Two many Cooks spoil the broth

The Dockers player-manager, who turns 41 next month, partnered the impressive Marcus Cassius up front for 75 minutes during this hard-fought game at a sun-kissed Buzzlines Stadium in Folkestone.

A crowd of 447 saw this disappointing Cup Final, played by two sides in the top five, settled by an unfortunate own goal scored by Hythe’s central midfielder Dave Cook, six minutes before the break, following a corner from Erith Town’s left-sided midfielder Kevin George.

Unfortunately, this game lived up to it’s expectations - it was a very dull.

Erith Town had the game’s first real chance just before the 20 minute mark.

Adam Heaslewood arrowed a free-kick towards the far post from halfway but George sent his towering header past the post.

George then drilled a 35-yard shot, on the angle, down the left-hand side after 32 minutes, which brought a comfortable save from Hythe’s 45-year-old goalkeeper Paul Hyde.

Despite scoring 47 goals this season, Hythe striker Michael Smissen was quiet throughout as the Erith side was well marshalled by former Margate defender Bill Edwards, 35.

But Smissen did have a sight on goal after cutting in from the right, but he scuffed his left-footed drive from 30-yards, which was easily dealt with by former Welling United goalkeeper James Wastell.

However, the goal that settled this dour Kent League Cup Final arrived with 38:55 on the clock.

George whipped in the Dockers’ second corner of the game and this wasn’t dealt with at the near post by a combination of Hythe’s Dale Skelton or Hyde and the ball hit the leg of the unfortunate Cook some three yards from his goal-line and can only look on in horror as the ball caressed the net.

Poor Hythe defending almost allowed Erith to score from another George corner, but following the cut-back, Edwards’ blazed his right-footed shot over the crossbar.

The Erith contingent in the main stand thought their side had doubled their lead inside injury time, but Cassius’ 25-yard screamer, from the left-hand side, flew agonisingly past the wrong side of the post.

Wastell had to be alert inside the opening ten minutes of the second half when he took the ball off Smissen’s head following Lee Winfield’s corner.

But Hythe’s best chance arrived in the 58^th minute.

Corner taker Winfield delivered the ball towards the far-post, which was met by a bullet header from Gavin Ransley, but the skipper was denied by a headed goal-line clearance by Erith’s right-back Alan Matthews, positioned on the right-hand post.

Cook almost made amends for his earlier own-goal, when, on the hour-mark, his right-footed drive from 25-yards, was saved at the second attempt by a scooping Wastell.

Much-travelled striker Tompkins was denied a goal on his last game when his right-footed hooked half-volley was beaten out by Hyde at his near post.

But Erith Town should have wrapped up the victory, only for the crossbar to save Hythe.

Another George corner was met by a towering header from big and strong central midfielder Mahama Cho, but his looping header bounced off the top of the crossbar and bounced out for a goal-kick.

Smissen did get a chance to add to his goalscoring tally in the last 22 minutes, but he was denied by Wastell.

A driven cross from the right by substitute Ian Hayes found Smissen inside the penalty area at the near post, and after turning, his low shot brought a smart near-post save.

Winfield’s last action before being replaced,was to whip in yet another corner, but this was met by a glancing header from central defender Ransley, which sailed wide.

As Hythe tired, it was the pace of 18-year-old striker Cassius that caused Hythe problems late on, but on both occasions George failed to find the finishing touch.

Erith Town: James Wastell, Alan Matthews, Adam Heaslewood (Charlie Burgess 73), Bill Edwards, Danny Twinn, Miguel Cunha (Adam Ebrey 56), Mahama Cho, Alan Hanlon, Mark Tompkins (Wayne Grizzle 75), Marcus Cassius, Kevin George.
Subs: Nick Powell, Alwyn Jones.

Goal: Dave Cook 39 (own goal)

Hythe Town: Paul Hyde, John Walker, James Gregory, Sam Marsh, Gavin Ransley, Dale Skelton, Joe Neilson (Ian Hayes 56), Dave Cook, Michael Smissen, Pat Kingwell (Jason Brazier 51), Lee Winfield (Simon Rainbow 71).
Subs: Ian Ross, John Sparks.

Booked: Gavin Ransley 31

Attendance: 447
Referee: Mr Darren Blunden (Dartford)
Assistants: Mr Mark Cheeseman (Faversham) & Mr David Harnett (Ramsgate)
Fourth Official: Mr Jamie MacLeod (Welling)