Hythe Town 1 Holmesdale 1
Southern Counties East Premier Division
Saturday 21st March 2025
It was heartbreak for the Cannons at Reachfields on Saturday as Holmesdale snatched an injury time equaliser to draw 1-1 and dent Hythe’s hopes of survival in the relegation battle.
There were five changes in the Hythe starting line up with new signing Daniel Jinadu coming in to replace Dion-Curtis Henry who left for Whitehawk in the week. Also, in were Dan Thompson, Robbie Dolan, Richie Keil and Tom Hanfrey replacing David Opoku, who is now at Metropolitan Police, Blu Husthwaite who was on the bench and Jack Hanson who was injured.
The first opportunity of the game came from Lewis Heywood who sent an effort straight into the arms of Jinadu in the Hythe goal. However, it was Hythe who had made the breakthrough on 13 minutes. Gil Carvalho got the first attempt which was blocked by Holmesdale keeper and former Cannon Charlie Wealands. The rebound looped up into the path of Jerald Aboagye who made not mistake following up to give the Cannons the lead.
The first half had limited chances with only two for the visitors as Anthony Musoke broke down the left and sent an effort across the face of goal and then an attempt from 25 yards by Heywood was easily smothered by Jinadu. Hanfrey had two efforts for the hosts as firstly he had a shot easily saved by Wealands and then on the stroke of half time he fired wide.
The second half was a tense affair with limited chances created. Robbie had two efforts blocked in quick succession and then the nearest the Cannons came to increasing their lead saw a shot by Uko Oji pushed us in the air by Wealands but it was continuing to spin towards goal before Wealands doubled back to tip the ball over the bar. The Hythe defence limited the Holmesdale attack to only one attack as a dipping shot from substitute Nathan Palmer went just over the bar.
A Carvalho cross was headed over by Thompson before the 90+2 minute equaliser as Mecca Samuels followed up a blocked shot to fire home just as Hythe looked like they were going to get all three points.
The disappointment around Reachfields was tangible and to cap off the afternoon there was brawl at the end of the game that saw scorer Aboagye receive a red card along with Holmesdale’s substitute Ramon Lewis.
The “Great Escape is still doable” but a lot harder in what Hythe can consider two points dropped rather than one gained.
Team: Daniel Jinadu, Jerald Aboagye, Will Dempsey, Tom Hanfrey, Jason Fregene, Dan Thompson, Monty Saunders (Jake McCarthy 74 mins), Robbie Dolan, Uko Oji, Richie Keil (Blu Husthwaite (Richie Keil 59 mins), Gil Carvalho (Callum Frith 90 mins). Subs Unused: Henry Newcombe, Robbie Keil.
Scorers: Hythe Town – Jerald Aboagye 13 mins. Holmesdale – Mecca Samuels 90+2 mins.
Red Card: Jerald Aboagye 90+5 mins.
Attendance: 239
