Lewisham Borough 2 Hythe Town 3
Southern Counties East First Division
Saturday 26th September 2026
The Cannons’ incredible run continued as they made it seven wins on the spin as they snatched victory with an injury time winner in their 3-2 win at Lewisham Borough on Saturday afternoon.
Manager Andy Crush made three changes bringing back three players who were unavailable the previous Saturday. Dan Smith, Jarred Trespaderne and Lewis Stevens-Toomey returned to replace Kye Davidson, Josh McCue and Harry Codd in the starting line-up.
It was the hosts who were first to show as Nfonkeu Noel shot across the face of the goal from a tight angle in the second minute. However, it was Hythe who got on the score sheet first in the fourth minute as Harry Linch broke down the right-hand touchline whipping in a cross to Jake Embery who side footed home from close range. It was Embery’s eighth goal in seven games.
The goal seemed to kick start Lewisham’s fightback as Noel sent in a shot that rolled into the arms of Smith in the Hythe goal. Lewisham were not to be denied and were level on a quarter of an hour as Noel was again in the action as he played the ball to Caden Havell-Olding who from the left slammed the ball against the far upright. The Hythe defence failed to clear and Mamadaliu Balde, following up, blasted the ball into the net.
Noel, who was proving a pain in the Cannons’ side, sent a free kick from 25 yards over the Hythe crossbar and then at the other end Hythe were denied a goal as Linch drove the ball from out on the right that forced a stretching save from home keeper William Barker.
It was Lewisham who were to take the lead on a half an hour. An in-swinging corner from Chuk Nwobani-Akano found Tyler Kerlew-Stewart who headed home from close range. It was the hosts who finished the half the strongest and the visitors were relieved to hear the half-time whistle.
The second period started with Hythe on the attack as Harry Maher sent in a cross that was headed wide by Embery. There were calls for a Hythe penalty as Linch surged through but the referee waved away the appeals as Nwobani-Akano tackled the Cannons’ winger.
Hythe were to deservedly level the scores on 63 minutes as a corner from the left by Monty Saunders was drilled into the near post where Josh Byford was able to get his foot to the ball and direct it into the net.
Both sides were then looking for the winner and there were chances at both ends. Firstly, a cross from Noel found Havell-Olding at the far post but he headed the wrong side of the upright. Then on 83 minutes Noel fired in forcing Smith to save well and then then at the other end Maher blasted high over the bar.
To their credit both sides continued to “slug it out” as the game moved into injury time. There was a scramble in the Hythe penalty area with Noel eventually sending the ball wide. But it was a magic moment five minutes into injury time that saw the Cannons grab all three points. Byford sent in a high free kick from 30 yards that looped over everyone including Barker and under the crossbar and in to the home net to give Hythe all three points to the delight of the Hythe team and supporters.
The win was a little harsh on Lewisham who deserved a point but credit to Hythe who battled to the end and never gave up.
Both teams should be proud of their performance in a highly entertaining game that will live on in the memory.
Team: Dan Smith, Michael Stott, James Nurden (Harry Codd 69 mins), Jarred Trespaderne, Lewis Stevens-Toomey, Teddy Nelson (George Grosvenor 20 mins), Monty Saunders (Richie Keil 86 mins), Harry Maher (Josh McCue 90+5 mins), Jake Embery, Josh Byford, Harry Linch (Sammy Carpenter 58 mins).
Scorers: Lewisham Borough – Mamadaliu Balde 15 mins, Tyler Kerlew-Stewart 30 mins. Hythe Town – Jake Embery 4 mins, Josh Byford 63 & Josh Byford 90+5 mins.
Yellow Cards: Harry Linch 17 mins, Harry Maher 41 mins, Monty Saunders 53 mins.
Attendance: 105
