Hythe Town 0 Snodland Town 0
Hythe Town won 9-8 on penalties
SCEFL Challenge Cup 3rd Round
Tuesday 20th January 2026
A makeshift Cannons team put up a dogged performance against Snodland Town as they drew 0-0 in normal time and then went on to win 9-8 in an extended penalty shoot out on Tuesday evening at Reachfields.
Manager Darren Beale had to make a number of enforced changes. Henry Newcombe, Blu Husthwaite, Taurean Roberts, Gil Carvalho and Francisco Gomes were unable to play as they weren’t signed on when the original game was postponed. Will Dempsey was also out with a hamstring injury so in came Dan Kennedy, Richie Keil, Storm Gaultier, Folarin Awoleke, Kian Scott and Armani Jordan-Martin. There were three regular member of the under 23s on the bench in Zian Nanda, Aiden Cassidy and Josh Cleaver who came in to fill the gaps.
Snodland started the better of the two sides with an attack in the first minute as Emmanuel Shoderu broke through but Hythe keeper Kennedy was quickly off his line to prevent any early goal. Almost immediately Tyler Jackson-Hunt attempted a curling shot that went high and wide. A run in by Zak Jacubowski followed that saw the striker try to chip Kennedy but he was able to catch the ball above his head.
However, Hythe were also beginning to create chances and on nine minutes Martin played the ball off to Awoleke whose effort was held by away keeper and former Cannon Nathan Boamah. Jason Fregene did have an effort on 23 minutes but he screwed his attempt wide.
The game then went into stalemate as both sides struggled on the heavy pitch and it was no surprise both sides went in level at the break.
The second half saw the Cannons on the front foot as they attacked. On 49 minutes a Steadman Callender cross found Martin and Richie Keil who both had shots blocked in quick succession and then Scott sent a shot from 25 yards high and wide. Roarie Deacon sent in a free kick that found Mo Kamara who got under the ball and sent his shot over the bar as the Cannons continued to press. Martin also had and attempt that was side footed wide.
Kennedy was to keep the Cannons in the game as he saved twice in quick succession as he quickly cleared a scramble in the home penalty area and then blocked a shot from Harry Hudson but the scores stayed level and it was on to the dreaded penalties.
The first six for each side were slotted home and then Louie Griggs missed for the visitors leaving an opportunity for Cassidy to win the game for Hythe. Unfortunately for the youngster, who played exceptionally well when he came on, was to miss. The next two each were converted and then Tyler Jackson-Hunt was to miss leaving Jerzy Kryzszka to blast his penalty home to seal the win for Hythe and a quarter final tie at Bearsted next Tuesday (27th January 2026) with a 7:30pm kick off.
It was encouraging performance from the Cannons and hopefully they can carry this improvement into their league form.
Team: Dan Kennedy, Roarie Deacon, Storm Gaultier (Aiden Cassidy 81 mins), Folarin Awoleke, Jason Fregene, Jerzy Kryzszka, Richie Keil, Mo Kamara, Steadman Callender (Ikye Dalton 67 mins), Armani-Jordan Martin, Kian Scott (Zian Nanda 90+1 mins). Subs Unused: Robbie Keil, Josh Cleaver.
Yellow Card: Kian Scott 45+1 mins.
Attendance: 79
