Halls Athletic 0 Hythe Town 1
Southern Counties East 1st Division
Saturday 8th August 2026
The Cannons stole all three points as they converted a controversial penalty right on the stroke of full-time winning 1-0 at Halls Athletic on a warm Saturday Afternoon.
Manager Andy Crush put out a strong side that dominated the early stages of the game. Their first opportunity came in the second minute as a corner from James Nurden found Michael Stott whose close-range effort was blocked then another Nurden corner found the head of George Grosvenor whose attempt went just over.
At this stage of the game, it was all Hythe as a through ball by Josh Byford found new signing Jake Embery who fired over. Halls had their first meaningful chance on 25 minutes as Tyrone Kumi sent a deep free kick that was met by the foot of Bacari Bari, but his effort was easily collected by Cannons keeper Dan Smith.
Hythe continued to dominate play, and they were unlucky on 41 minutes as Harry Maher got the ball into Embery, but his timed shot was brilliantly saved by home goalkeeper Josh Atkinson. Atkinson was to deny Hythe a second time as he pushed a long-range effort wide from Maher.
Hythe remained in the ascendancy at the start of the second half as Byford played the ball in to Monty Saunders whose curling effort went just over the bar and then Embery broke free, but his effort went wide of the target.
As the second period progressed Halls began to look dangerous as Gergo Petrovics launched an attempt from 20 yards over the bar. The game was now getting more frantic as both sides searched for an elusive goal. Firstly, Embery was through again, but Atkinson was there to block and then at the other end a dipping shot from substitute Jay Bayford forced Smith to tip the ball over the bar.
Then came the moment where the hosts had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock as Stephen Gbopo sent a short pass across the penalty box to Bayford who was completely unmarked, but he side footed wide when it looked easier to hit the target. On the counter attack Sammy Carpenter broke down the right sending in a cross to Embery who lifted the ball over the bar from close range.
As the game came towards its climax it was the visitors who retook control as Harry Codd did well to regain the ball on the right-hand side playing in to Tom Walmsley who fed Jarred Trespaderne who ran in, but his final effort was blocked by Atkinson who was quickly off his line to push the ball wide.
From the resultant corner Nurden sent the ball in to the far post onto the head of Stott whose effort was cleared off the line by Sam Doyle. However, right on 90 minutes Hythe went ahead from the penalty spot. A deep cross from Nurden was on its way in to Embery but Atkinson clumsily barged into the Hythe striker as he attempted to punch the ball away. The referee had no hesitation and pointed to the spot. He double checked with his assistant who confirmed his view
Embery got up and side footed the resultant penalty into the corner of the net to give the Cannons a hard-earned winning start to the season. On the overall performance Hythe edged the game and deserved the three points and the travelling supporters went home happy.
Team: Dan Smith, Michael Stott, James Nurden, Jarred Trespaderne, Lewis Stevens-Toomey, George Grosvener (Sammy Carpenter 64 mins), Monty Saunders (Wes Maggs 90+7 mins), Harry Maher (Tom Walmsley 85 mins), Jake Embery, Josh Byford (Josh McCue 87 mins), Harry Linch (Harry Codd 64 mins).
Scorer: Hythe Town – Jake Embery 90 mins (Pen).
Yellow Cards: Harry Maher 71 mins, Monty Saunders 87 mins, Jarred Trespaderne 90+7 mins.
Attendance: 135
