Hythe Town 3 Corinthian 1
Southern Counties East Premier Division
Saturday 21st October 2026
The Cannons surged back after being one down at half time to end up convincingly beating Corinthian 3-1 at Reachfields on Saturday afternoon for their first league win since 13th September 2025.
The Cannons started with five changes with new keeper Dion-Curtis Henry coming for injured keeper Henry Newcombe. Will Dempsey returned from suspension to replace Antonio Morgan, Jerzy Krzyszka came in for the injured Callum Firth and Olu Oluwatimilehin and Richie Keil replaced Callum Morris and Steadman Callender with the latter on the bench.
Corinthian had the better of the early exchanges and threatened on two minutes as Tom Mitcham was denied by Henry and then two minutes later at the other end Monty Saunders pounced on a loose ball but sent his effort over the bar.
However, it was the visitors who were looking the more dangerous as Mitcham had another attempt saved by Henry and then former Cannon Alfie Cragg broke through, but his effort flew straight into the arms of the keeper.
On 12 minutes Hythe did have a chance as Krzyszka had an effort deflected wide for a corner, but Corinthian were creating the better chances and on 19 minutes they got the goal they deserved as a deflection rebounded out to away captain James Billings who fired home past Henry to make it 1-0.
The Cannons did show some fight as Dolan played the ball off to Keil whose shot was pushed wide by Corinthian keeper Zacharias Akinde. From the resultant corner captain Jason Fregene had a header blocked and then with three minutes of the half left Keil had another attempt that forced Akinde to save well. Corinthian probably deserved their goal lead at the break but as the half had progressed there had been some improvement from the hosts.
The manager’s half time talk seemed to have an effect on the Cannons as they began to block off Corinthian attacks, and they began to get a foothold in the game. In the 53rd Keil minute sent in a shot that appeared to hit the arm of a defender, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals. Then on 58 minutes the ball came out to Dolan on the edge of the penalty area, and he unleashed an effort that flew past Akinde into the corner of the net to bring the scores level to the relief of the home crowd.
Corinthian were now struggling to break through the Hythe defence although Mitcham did surge through but a decisive interception from Fregene prevented any damage. In fact, it was now the Cannons who were looking the more likely and on 79 minutes they took the lead. A shot was blocked and the rebound fell to substitute Oku Oji who neatly slotted the ball home.
Hythe continued to press and on 83 minutes they sealed the points as Carvalho worked his was in from the right and rifled the ball into the far corner of the net. Corinthian were unable to respond although there was one more effort from the visitors as Oscar Housego sent a shot into the arms of Henry.
As the referee blew his final, the relief around the ground from the long-suffering Cannons supporters was profound. Perhaps they can make the “Great Escape”. On this performance maybe there is a chance….
Team: Dion Curtis-Henry, Jerald Aboagye, Will Dempsey, Olu Oluwatimilehin (David Opoku 82 mins), Jason Fregene, Jerzy Krzyszka, Monty Saunders, Robbie Dolan, Richie Keil (Blu Husthwaite 87 mins), Jack Hanson (Uko Oji 54 mins), Gil Carvalho. Subs Unused: Dan Kennedy, Steadman Callender.
Scorers: Robbie Dolan 58 mins, Uko Oji 79 mins, Gil Carvalho 83 mins. Corinthian – James Billings 19 mins.
Yellow Card: Monty Saunders 60 mins.
Attendance: 194
