Tunbridge Wells 5 Hythe Town 0
Southern Counties East Premier Division
Tuesday 31st March 2026
The Cannons had an horrendous start to this game finding themselves four down after 20 minutes but the new look team showed real character under the leadership of interim manager Henry Newcombe in coming back into the game and putting real pressure on the home defence. They eventually lost 5-0 at Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday evening.
With a number of players walking away after the resignation of ex-Manager Andy Drury there were seven changes to the starting line up with Carter Wilson starting in goal replacing Archie Simmonds, Folarin Awoleke, on his return to Hythe, replaced the unavailable Louie Procopi, Jack Hanson and Jake McCarthy started in place of the departed Will Dempsey and Dan Thompson. Olu Shobowale and Marley St Louis made their debuts replacing the now departed Tom Hanfrey and Blu Husthwaite who was on the bench.
The game could not have started worse for the Cannons as Tunbridge Wells took the lead on only two minutes. Christopher Lawal sent in a corner to the near post where Ollie Hyland sneaked in at the near post to fire home. It was two on six minutes. Regan Corke hit a volley that slammed against the upright. Lucas Murrain was quickly onto the rebound to rifle the ball home.
Things got worse for Hythe after a quarter of an hour as Corke slotted the ball past Wilson to make it three. Hythe defence, who had never played together before, were four down as Corke got his second on 20 minutes as he planted the ball in the Hythe net.
To their credit Hythe did not totally collapse and started to fight back and were unlucky not to get back in the game when Dolan broke through, but his final effort went just the wrong side of the upright. At this stage of the game Hythe were beginning to look the stronger team although Wilson was called on to make a save from Rory Ward.
The visitors then forced a foul on Richie Keil just outside the area as they continued to press. Ben Martin-Coward brought down the young striker and was immediately issued with a red card reducing Tunbridge Wells to ten men.
Before half time there were three more chances for Hythe as Levi Burgin had a shot blocked and then Dolan forced a save from home keeper George Bentley. On the stoke of half time Burgin was in the action again as he had attempt deflected away for a corner.
Hythe continued to have the bulk of the play after the break but were stung by a goal against the run of play on 63 minutes as Hyland cleared into the path of Corke who drilled the ball off the underside of the cross bar and into the net to make it five.
Hythe did find the net on 74 minutes but that was ruled out for offside. There were two great saves from Wilson denying both Jack Gallagher and Corke. It was left for Hythe to have their best effort right on full time when substitute winger Rotimi Johnson crossed from the left finding Awoleke’s who turned and shot forcing Bentley to palm the ball over the bar.
The Cannons now look certain to be relegated to Step 6 where they will have to rebuild for next season.
Team: Carter Wilson, Folarin Awoleke, Jake McCarthy (Blu Husthwaite 46 mins), Jack Hanson (Jerzy Krzyszka 70 mins), Jason Fregene, Olu Shobowale, Marley St Louis (Rotimi Johnson 65 mins), Robbie Dolan, Richie Keil (Elijah Abatan 74 mins), Monty Saunders, Levi Burgin (Jordan Hushie 65 mins).
Scorers: Tunbridge Wells – Ollie Hyland 2 mins, Lucas Murrain 6 mins, Regan Corke 15,20 and 65 mins.
Attendance: TBA
