After the long draw out Group stages of the Kent
League Cup and a Quarter Final victory over local rivals Faversham Town the
treble chasing Reds welcomed Paul Fisk's Hythe Town to Belmont Road in the 1st
leg of the Semi Final. In front of 205 spectators the home side went close
after just three minutes when Jimmy Strouts tested Hythe custodian John Sparks
who was equal to the shot.
After the long draw out Group stages of the Kent
League Cup and a Quarter Final victory over local rivals Faversham Town the
treble chasing Reds welcomed Paul Fisk's Hythe Town to Belmont Road in the 1st
leg of the Semi Final.
In front of 205 spectators the home side went close
after just three minutes when Jimmy Strouts tested Hythe custodian John Sparks
who was equal to the shot.
On seven minutes leading scorer Stuart King opened
the scoring when after Micky Lane had been fouled the talented teenager curled
the ball past Sparks from the resulting free kick.
Hythe grew stronger after this goal and duly
equalized on 32 minutes when Ian Hayes fired in at the far post from a cross
from the impressive Lee Winfield.
In the second half the visitors continued the
stronger side with Kevin Fewell making two excellent saves. The first from Dale
Skelton's close range effort and then saving with his legs from Jason
Brazier.
Andy Constable who had replaced Sam Prett after 67
minutes then put Whitstable in front with a shot which was helped in by a
defender although as all good striker do the big man will claim the
effort.
Only seven minutes later Hythe drew level for the
second time in the game when Skelton converted after young defender Will Dunlop
had helped on a corner from Hayes.
The last clear chance fell to Constable which
Sparks saved low down and this 1st leg tie is all set up nicely for the 2nd leg
at Reachfields next Tuesday.
Whitstable 1. Fewell 2. Gess 3. Adcock 4. Thomas
5. Ohakam 6. Lane (Martin) 7. Prett (Constable) 8. Perona 9. King (Button) 10.
Hossick 11. Strouts
Subs Unused Keir
Attendance 206
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