League

Hythe Stadium
Spectators: 8596 (Terracing: 6448, Seating: 1977, VIP seats: 171) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Tosh Higginson took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 2nd match minute, Ashley Down Athletic was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Les Tinker to maneuver through the defense. Martyn Tandy showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tosh Higginson in the 3rd minute of the match. 4 minutes had been played when some careless play by Ashley Down Athletic's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Dylan Crossley was slow to take the kick. During this time Hythe Rangers United's players had a chance to rest. A well-hit corner resulted in Zak Crocker heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. When Ashley Down Athletic's Ed Helks in the 6th minute got a chance for a shot 6th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Hythe Rangers United's goalie prevented a goal. The supporters of Ashley Down Athletic booed when Hythe Rangers United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 7 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ollie Paterson didn't get a good kick on the ball. Ed Helks blasted a shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Janes Van Huruck having to make a save. In the 9th minute, Will Starr hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 10 minutes, Tosh Higginson made it 1-0 with a short kick to the right side. Ashley Down Athletic's Martyn Tandy tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Janes Van Huruck stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Matthew Macken's shot from short distance in the 13th minute. Ed Helks might have been able to make a better finish in the 19th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Janes Van Huruck. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Ed Helks ran back to his position shaking his head. Martyn Tandy took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tosh Higginson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ed Helks blasted a shot towards the goal in the 29th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Janes Van Huruck having to make a save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ed Helks in the 29th minute of play forced Hythe Rangers United's goalkeeper Janes Van Huruck to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ronny Sutherlands short, quick shot in the 30thth minute got Martyn Tandy to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. After 32 minutes, Tosh Higginson made it 2-0 with a short kick to the right side. Ashley Down Athletic's Martyn Tandy tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. If Matthew Macken had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With an all-out effort, Hythe Rangers United's Martyn Tandy threw himself towards the right post 41 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Tosh Higginson, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Janes Van Huruck took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ed Helks, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Matthew Macken sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 45 minutes into the match, Matthew Macken had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Janes Van Huruck. Hythe Rangers United's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Matthew Macken was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-1.

Ashley Down Athletic made a substitution. Steven Grigg replaced Matthew Macken. 54 minutes into the match, Ronny Sutherland notched a goal, 3-1, to the right of Ashley Down Athletic's Martyn Tandy. Martyn Tandy was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Janes Van Huruck showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ed Helks, who was totally free with the ball in the 62nd minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Tosh Higginson in the 64th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Martyn Tandy saved Ashley Down Athletic from getting behind. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Tosh Higginson in the 67th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Martyn Tandy saved Ashley Down Athletic from getting behind. In the 71stth minute of the game Ronny Sutherland who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ashley Down Athletic's Martyn Tandy was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. With his leg Janes Van Huruck managed to avoid a goal in the 72ndth minute, when Ashley Down Athletic's Ed Helks fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. After 72 played minutes Hythe Rangers United got a freekick which was hit by Ollie Paterson. Janes Van Huruck stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Ed Helks's shot from short distance in the 78th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ronny Sutherland in the 81st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Martyn Tandy prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Steven Grigg had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 83rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Martyn Tandy showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ronny Sutherland, who was totally free with the ball in the 92nd minute. Ashley Down Athletic's Martyn Tandy played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Zak Crocker in the 95th minute of play. 96 minutes into the match, Ashley Down Athletic's goal looked a bit too open when Ronny Sutherland came free, but Martyn Tandy reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Hythe Rangers United had won after a very even match.