Larkfield & New Hythe 4 Hythe Town 0
Southern Counties East Premier Division
Saturday 4th April 2026
It was a sad afternoon for the Cannons as their relegation to the SCEFL First Division was confirmed. However, the players who have stayed loyal to the club put up a performance that left the Hythe supporters proud as they went down 4-0 at high flying Larkfield and New Hythe on Saturday afternoon.
There were a number of departures from the team that played at Tunbridge Wells with Jason Fregene, Robbie Dolan, Jake McCarthy and Carter Wilson leaving the club. The team was able to sign goalkeeper Ben Gamage as a late signing on dual registration with Chalfont St Peter.
The game started with the Cannons on the attack as after on three minutes Monty Saunders sent a free kick from 20 yards just over the bar. Larkfield had their first opening on five minutes as Jahmahl King headed over from a corner.
The hosts took the lead on twelve minutes as Jay Wade whipped in a cross that found Kesna Clarke who made no mistake from the middle of the penalty area to make it one-nil. However, the Hythe defence were working hard, and they then did well to block a shot from King.
Hythe had their best chance of the half on 23 minutes as Robbie Keil played the ball across to Levi Burgin whose effort from just outside the penalty area went just the wrong side of the upright. Larkfield got their second on 28 minutes as a shot from close range by Clarke took an awful bounce taking it out of the reach of Gamage into the Hythe net. Hythe remained resolute until the half time break.
Larkfield were unlucky not to go further ahead as a shot from Tyler Ibe rattled the crossbar, but they were to extend their lead on 57 minutes. Clarke laid the ball off to Courtney Barrington who fired home to make it three-nil. Burgin was to again shoot wide of the target before a corner was whipped in and was headed home by Ayman El-Mogharbel (who was recently on Hythe’s books). He was then to send a dipping shot just over the bar.
Gamage showed his quality as he made two saves from substitutes Steven Famose and Matt Day and then made another save that Larkfield pounced on the rebound but an outstanding clearance on the line by Alfie Williams prevented further damage.
With the makeshift side, the Cannons could be proud of their performance where they showed great resilience and commitment.
Team: Ben Gamage, Marley St Louis (Alfie Williams 72 mins), Blu Husthwaite, Olu Shobowale, Folarin Awoleke, Robbie Keil (Kacey Richards 83 mins), Elijah Abatan (Keaton Baverstock 75 mins), Monty Saunders, Rotimi Johnson, Richie Keil, Levi Burgin. Subs Unused: Kwakho Jojo, Zian Nanda.
Scorers: Larkfield & New Hythe – Kesna Clarke 12 & 29 mins, Courtney Barrington 57 mins, Matt Day 66 mins.
Attendance: 125
