Cannons slay a second giant- and Sheppey hit six

Pitching In Isthmian Premier Whitehawk travelled to the Kent coast for a FA Trophy ‘derby’, as they took on South East promotion hopefuls Hythe Town. The last time the two sides had met was in the South East Play Off Final at the end of last season, the Hawks delivering a narrow triumph, so this was a chance for the Cannons to take revenge- and how they took it, slaying that ‘giant’ in a five goal thriller.

Hythe went ahead just before the half hour mark, Aaron Barnes making the breakthrough- and it was a lead they doubled just before the hour, Jake Embery knocking home after Lex Allen headed on a long throw.

As we moved into the last ten minutes, the Hawks finally found their shooting boots. Substitute Josh Nandrha, who had only been on the field for four minutes, pulled a goal back- but the visitors hopes were quickly dashed as Brad Schafer restored the hosts two goal cushion.

With three minutes to go Charlie Walker gave Whitehawk hope once more, but it turned out to be forlorn hope. Congratulations to the Cannons, who will welcome National League North side Chorley in the next round- and have now delivered two giant killings in a row.

Our Pitching In Isthmian South East programme was almost washed out- but Littlehampton Town survived the deluge. Sadly for the Golds, they didn’t survive ninety minutes against Sheppey United with their goal nor their dignity intact, as the Ites hit them for six.

We knew there would be goals. Last season’s encounters delivered fifteen goals- ten of them going to Sheppey- so we expected the match to be exciting, but we didn’t expect it to be quite so one sided.

The opening goal arrived on eight minutes, and it went to Dan Bradshaw, who took his tally for the season into double figures in the process. Two minutes later it was two-nil, Javaun Splatt doubling the tally, and the third goal arrived just before half time, Frankie Del Morgan scoring for the first time since the opening day.

Half time gave the hosts the opportunity to regroup, but sadly for the home faithful nothing changed. It was four-nil within nine minutes, Briggs Ojemen adding to the lead, and with nineteen minutes left an own goal brought up number five. Two minutes later Splatt got his second of the match to make it six, and at that point the Ites relaxed, happy that their work was done.

Sheppey are up to fifth, five unbeaten and that was their fourth clean sheet in succession.

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