Beckenham Town 3-1 Hythe Town

In a very entertaining hard fought match Beckenham eventually ran out comfortable winners against an in-form Hythe side, writes Ian Muir.

There was not much to separate the two sides as far as possession was concerned but it was Beckenham who created more chances.

The home side started brightly, forcing a shot in the first minute and following up a couple of minutes later with a great opportunity by Awuah that was well saved by the keeper. A minute later Hythe squandered a chance but headed just past the post.

Beckenham then spent the next 5 minutes pushing forward and were rewarded with a goal after Awuah slotted home following some good work by Carew.

Two minutes later the referee waved a strong penalty appeal by Hythe on. The visitors started pushing forward and Rose and Barrett had to be at their best to contain the livewire front-runners but still managed to survive a few nervous moments.

Awuah should have made it two after 22 minutes but Hythe closed him down well forcing him to shoot wide. Both sides were battling to gain midfield supremacy but Town were holding their line well and forced the visitors to shoot from range.

During a ten minute spell Hythe had a further two penalty appeals turned down as Beckenham rode their luck.

Beckenham Town stayed level after a Hythe forward blasted over when the home side were caught pushing forward, although this was their only clear chance during that spell.

Minutes before the break a bit of Smith trickery forced a superb save from the impressive visitors keeper.

In the final seconds a neat one-two between Cable and Awuah forced yet another save.

The keeper was in action within the first minute of the re-start when he yet again denied Awuah.

Becks were pushing forward at every opportunity but series of interchanges between the visitors caught Town’s defence square and Michael Smissen drew level in the 57th.

A minute later Hythe headed wide. For the next ten minutes Hythe pushed forward and looked very comfortable on the ball without creating many chances.

Beckenham were content to counter attack and Carew was now getting forward more. Smith, as ever was in the thick of the action and it was his long through ball that found Awuah, who, with players round him lobbed the advancing keeper from the edge of the area for his second with 20 minutes remaining.

The goal had the dual effect of knocking some of the wind out of Hythe and increasing Beckenham’s confidence, allowing them to play the ball around more freely.

Beckenham made a series of substitutions replacing Cable with a midfielder and adding an extra defender.

Ten minutes later the changes paid dividends as Beckenham mounted another attack, the ball was moved around the penalty area and searching cross-field ball found Carew who was allowed to turn his man to curl his shot into the top corner.

This was by far the best overall performance by Beckenham this season, their passing and workman like ability contributed to a well-deserved victory. The match itself was a good advert for Kent League football.

The visitors may feel a little hard done by with the 3 penalty decisions but it was Beckenham who put their chances away.

Beckenham welcome Thamesmead Town to Eden Park Avenue in the Kent League Cup before travelling to Slade Green next Saturday.

Beckenham Town: Brooks, Sinclair, Rose, Barrett, Hughes, Harris, Smith, Carew, Hart, Cable, Awuah Subs: Hawkes, Curran, O’Donahue, Lawson, Carter.

Visit Beckenham Town's website: www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk