Chessington & Hook 0 vs 1 Hythe Town

Although that was mixed with some concern based on our previous result, and our visitors having experienced the heights of the first round proper last year and a tie against league opposition.

And it was those characteristics that came through over the ninety minutes.

In a game of few chances, certainly early on, Hythe looked sharper and stronger and we did well to deal with the bright opening from the visitors. Mark Daniels making a couple of comfortable saves and our defending much better than in recent weeks helping us see out the opening twenty minutes unscathed.

In midfield we were being a little out worked with the visitors right side enjoying a little too much freedom, but gradually that threat was nullified as we adjusted to the pace of the game.

At the top end we created very little, although worked hard to keep their defence under some pressure and to provide willing runners for our midfield and back line.

At the break we had reason to believe that we could cause an upset as we had more than dealt with what was thrown at us, and began to enjoy a little more of the game.

The pattern of the second half was not much different, although we were a bit sharper and Hythe certainly realised at this stage that they were in a game likely to be decided by the odd goal.

In fact the first real chance of the half came just before the hour, and fell to Chessington, when a fine through ball was chased down by Leon White and with the out rushing goalkeeper seemingly having got his angles wrong it did seem that the slightest touch from White would open the scoring. Unfortunately both players hesitation resulted in a chance for us going begging and our reward nothing more than a corner that was duly dealt with.

Shortly after, the visitors took the lead when an attempted clearance from Chris Davidson making his return to the club stuck under his leg and the Hythe forward accepted the opportunity with a cool finish.

Both sides continued in similar fashion and it was only in the last ten minutes that the game opened up.

We added some pace to our attack with the introduction of Shane Sinclair and Tyrone Roberts and the latter caused problems for the visitors with his pace, and with two or three fine crosses that we failed to get on the end of. In a further attempt to get something from the match Fontana was pushed forward seeing us play a brave 3 3 4 shape, leaving ourselves open in the bargain.

We were a little fortunate to not concede again but the gamble was worthwhile, and it nearly paid off in the final minute when Buari in chase with the last defender from a Fontana flick on was only denied on the edge of the area, as he was about to shoot.

This proved to be the final moment of the match and our exit from this years competition was complete.