By pitchside reporter Andy Mason
Hythe Town 3 Ramsgate 1
Ethan Smith (1) Wes Hennessey (90)
Aaron Barnes (45)
Johan Caney-Bryan
A horrible wet evening at the Reachfield stadium, as the promised rain starts to fall. The pitch looking in tip-top condition after all the recent rainfall.
A dreadful start for the young Rams straight from the kick off. A ball played through for Ethan Barnes, he takes a touch and slots the ball across Archie Simmons and into the far corner of the net after just twenty eight seconds.
The early pressure is all Hythe as their more experienced side look to capitalise on their early lead. Rams are forced on the back foot and look initially stunned. A fourth minute Hythe free kick hit low and hard into the Rams box rebounds around eventually cleared for a corner.
The surface becoming even more slippery as the heavens really open.
As we approach the quarter hour mark, Rams start to put a little play together having settled after the onslaught from Hythe. They actually get a couple of shots off in front of goal albeit they are blocked but at least showing some intent.
Hythe have set up well and are moving the ball quickly with Frannie Collin & Jarred Trespaderne controlling the middle of the pitch, their strength difference & knowledge showing against the Rams.
Approaching the mid-point of the first half Rams have strung a few passes together and have brought Finley Bough more into the game down the wing and Jack Hawkins is seeing more of the ball in midfield as Hythe seem to sit back a little bit.
Trespaderne seems to move further forward and sets up a wonderful attack after Collin passes to him, played back to Collin who strikes forcing Archie Simmons to tip over the bar. The corner into the box. A fantastic double save by Simmons keeps Rams in the game.
Rams holding on a little. Hakins picks up a lose ball and runs at Hythe managing to evade a couple before he shoots fractions wide of Steve Phillips goal.
Rams Jack Hawkins is really getting into the game, challenging for everything near him and moving well going forward as the young Rams start to feel their feet in the game. We have seen great delivery from Bough from any dead ball situation. However, the experience of Hythe is nullifying Rams attacks.
As we come to the end of the first half the Rams switch off. Louis Precopi saves Rams at the back as Caney-Bryan is about to strike, out for a corner fired in through a crowd of players and Aaron Barnes fires in a thunderbolt beating all for Hythe to go in two up.
Hythe start on the front foot in the second half forcing Simmons to make more great saves, as Collin seems to be running the show allowing Barnes and Jake Embery more space on the wings.
Rams trying to keep up with the strength of Hythe, are trying to play but the final passes keep finding a Hythe player.
Considering the difference in the alleged ability, the Rams are competing and making life difficult for Hythe. There are a few substitutions from both sides as the match progresses.
A rash challenge by Rams sees Hythe gain a real advantage as Bough is dismissed, the resulting free kick fired to the back post and Carney-Bryan rises to head Hytes third. Rams heads one would have thought might drop, but no they continue with vigour sustaining a very high pace.
Rams efforts are rewarded with a late consolation from a corner kick into the area, as Hennessey goes for the ball it hits a defender giving no chance for Phillips to save and Rams have one back. We do not even have time to kick off as the referee blows for full time.
A great performance overall from the Rams, in this FA Trophy first round match. It’s Hythe progressing to the next round to face Tonbridge.
Attendance: 207
RFSA player of the match: Archie Simmons
The Teams:
HYTHE: 1Steve Phillips, 2Marcus Goldsmith, 3Jarred Trespaderne, 4Jack Steventon, 5Liam Smith, 6Lex Allan, 7Aaron Barnes, 8Ethan Smith, 9Johan Caney-Bryan, 10Frannie Collin, 11Jake Embery
Subs: 12Josh Stirman, 14Charles Noyelle, 15Kane Phillip, 16Kai Garande, 17Sam Flisher
RAMS: 1Archie Simmons, 2Louie Procopi, 3Tom Brisley, 4Joe Ellul , 8Harry Sharman, 9Wes Hennessey, 10Jack Hawkins, 11Finley Bough , 17Tristan Holden , 18Sinnkaye Christie, 19Freddie Oliver
Subs: 5Leo Moore, 6Leo Todd, 7Zack Jobe
Ramsgate net in action
04Nov Home Woking FA Cup 1st round 3pm
07Nov Away Mertsham Isthmian league 7:45pm
11Nov Home Beckenham Town Isthmian League 3Pm