Hythe Town 5-4 Raynes Park Vale - It's one of the best games that I've ever been involved in, says Hythe Town boss Steven Watt

Hythe Town 5 – 4 Raynes Park Vale
Location	Reachfields Stadium, off Fort Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6JS
Kickoff	23/08/2022 19:45

HYTHE TOWN  5-4  RAYNES PARK VALE
(after extra time)
The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay
Tuesday 23 August 2022
Stephen McCartney reports from Reachfields Stadium

HYTHE TOWN manager Steven Watt praised his unbeaten side’s desire and character not to get beat after winning a nine-goal FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay epic against an impressive Raynes Park Vale.

Joshua Gallagher’s men needed two games to beat Erith & Belvedere in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round and gave Isthmian League South East Division side Hythe Town a right scare during this enthralling tussle.

The Cannons defeated AFC Varndeanians 1-0 in the Extra Preliminary Round before coming away from Corinthian with a 2-0 win in their only league outing of the season, going into this tie in fifth-place in the table.

Despite being in fourth-place in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South table with two wins from their opening two games, these two sides shared four goals at Grand Drive on Saturday and Hythe Town scraped through to earn a home tie against Hayes & Yeading United in the First Qualifying Round on Saturday 3 September and picking up a vital £1,444 in much needed prize money.

Raynes Park Vale's four-match FA Cup run has seen them bank £1,606 in prize money, but more importantly they can compete against higher league opposition.

Raynes Park Vale drew first blood with left-winger Jordan Gallagher converting a sixth minute penalty, before Hythe Town striker Johan Caney-Bryan headed in his first goal of the night.

Hythe Town centre-half Lex Allan, who gave away the penalty, headed the home side into the lead seven minutes before the break.

Raynes Park Vale dominated large chunks of the second half and it was no surprise when they equalised with 13 minutes remaining through Jordan Gallagher’s clinical finish.

Raynes Park Vale were on the verge of causing an upset when left-back Callum Hope was left in space at the far post to tuck the ball into the bottom near corner.

However, the 82^nd minute substitution of 35-year-old Frannie Collin proved to be difference between the two sides as his free-kick was bundled in by centre-half Jason Fregene to force extra-time.

The Cannons raced into a two-goal advantage courtesy of a clinical finish from Collin, before Caney-Bryan tapped in their fifth, before Raynes Park Vale scored the ninth goal through a long-range finish from substitute centre-half Nathan Lewis.

“I said after the first game, Josh Gallagher has got a really good side there,” said Watt, 37.

“I always knew it would be a 50-50 game.  I don’t see them as a Step Five side.  I think they’re an equivalent to a good side in our league so it was very much a league game and a league feel.

“Also when you’re playing a cup match, I would say, there’s a little bit more caution to the wind gets thrown, hence why you’ve got a result like you’ve got tonight.

“I thought over the two legs it’s one of the best games that I’ve ever been involved in in terms of football.  I’ve come out the right side of it.  I think I’ll be honest and say if we lost that tonight 5-4, I’ll be saying the same.

“At no point did you know what was going to happen. It was a really good game of football. I think we made it a lot more difficult than it had to be.  Some of our decisions that we made and the mistakes we made for the goals, obviously, I didn’t want it to be how it was but I’m delighted for the boys and the character the boys showed was tremendous and I’m delighted to be in the hat.”

When asked how tonight’s game was won, the Aberdeen born manager replied: “Desire, refusal to be beat.  Refusal to accept defeat and just that hard grit that I want my sides to have as well. It’s one thing I like my sides to be, a side that’s going to refuse to be beaten.  We’re not going to be beaten or if you beat us, it’s got to be like that.  We’ve got thrown everything at us and we’ve not been able to defend well enough.”

Raynes Park Vale are a quality side that are very impressive on the counter-attack and they drew first blood, with the goal coming with five minutes and 43 seconds on the clock.

Callum McAllister rode a strong challenge on the half-way line before prodding the ball inside to right-back Archie Hardland-Goddard and Bradley Sweeney whipped in a low cross and referee Kane Dempster penalised Allan for a push inside the box.

Jordan Gallagher stepped up and drilled his right-footed penalty straight down the middle, with goalkeeper Aaron Lee-Wharton moving to his left.

“I thought it was a soft penalty to be honest,” admitted Watt.

“From my angle, I’d like to see it again. I thought it was shoulder-to-shoulder personally but if I saw it again and he was behind it, I can’t argue.

“I asked the ref and he said he was slightly behind him.  That’s where the push from behind came so if that’s his view, I can’t argue with that but what I saw, I thought it was soft.

“I thought it was harsh but it wasn’t a great start. I’m so proud of this team with the character that they’ve shown.”

Hythe Town went close to grabbing an equaliser in the ninth minute when Josh Stirman (who impressed down the left during the first half) delivered a deep free-kick from just outside the centre circle and centre-half Ollie Gray had two bites of the cherry to score, clipping his half-volley past the left-hand post.

Stirman then floated in a deep corner from the left where Jason Fregene (who plays on the left of a three-man central defence) rose and glanced his header across goal and past the far post.

Hythe Town restored parity by scoring an equaliser with 18 minutes and 15 seconds on the clock.

Left-wing-back Liam Smith clipped a long right-footed ball down the left channel and McAllister ushered Stirman away from goal, with advice coming from his goalkeeper.

Liam Smith offered support and played Stirman in and whipped in a delicious cross from the by-line which was met by Caney-Bryan’s downward glancing header, which nestled inside the bottom right-hand corner from six-yards.

Watt said: “We’ve brought Josh into the team after having a look at him on Saturday and I thought it worked, particularly first half.

“I thought after the goal we took a real foothold on the game and should’ve been out of sight at half-time really.  I think we should’ve been 3-1 up at half-time, if not 4-1.

“It was a good delivery by Josh. He did exactly what I wanted him to do when I envisaged him being in the side.  I’m glad for Johan.  You’ve seen tonight he’s run himself into the ground and I’m delighted for him to get his goal.”

Raynes Park Vale were a threat on the counter-attack and were to be denied by former Tunbridge Wells’ goalkeeper Lee-Wharton in the 26^th minute.

Former Glebe winger Aaron Watson fed Jordan Gallagher down the left and his right-footed drilled angled drive was destined to nestle inside the bottom near corner from 25-yards, only for Lee-Wharton to dive low to his right and use a strong right hand to turn the ball behind for the second of 14 corners for the away side.

The Cannons then created a couple of chances from set-pieces.

jack Steventon’s long throw (he took seven of them during the entire game) was flicked on by Liam Smith at the near post and Caney-Bryan’s towering header took a deflection and flashed past the far post.

Stirman’s resulting left-wing corner was met by Fregene’s diving header, which flashed past the left-hand post.

Hythe Town grabbed the lead with 37 minutes and 33 seconds on the clock, following their fifth of seven corners.

Stirman’s corner from the right was flicked back into his own box by Sweeney at the near post and Allan glanced his free header across the keeper and into the back of the net from six-yards out.

Watt said: “It was a good header by Lex.  He arrived well. I’ve said this season we have to score more from set-pieces and I’m delighted for Lex to get his head on the end of it and get a good finish.”

Both goalkeeper’s were then involved in the space of only 29 seconds, with Lee-Wharton’s efforts a firm contender for Save of the Season in this year’s FA Cup.

Harry Miller played the ball out to Stirman on the right and he floated in a cross towards the back post for Caney-Bryan’s whose downward header was hit straight at visiting goalkeeper Billy Bishop who spread himself well and big at his near post.

Raynes Park Vale immediately broke up the other end and right-winger Sweeney whipped in a cross and Lee-Wharton made a world-class double save.

He kept out Watson’s driven shot and somehow got himself off the ground and clawed Jordan Gallagher’s follow-up shot out (stretching high to his right) as the ball looped towards the top left-hand corner to the delight of his manager.

“As much as the double-save is incredible, it should never been happening! I think Johan has to score but as a striker you’re going to get chances and you’re going to miss chances – it’s how you react,” said Watt.

“Aaron was called upon at the other end and he made two incredible saves. I don’t know how he got to the second, I really don’t. It was really incredible.”

When asked his thoughts going into the interval, Watt replied: “I thought we were hurting them doing basic things. We didn’t necessarily have to move the ball around the pitch or keep possession.  Simplicity was hurting them if I’m being honest, balls in behind, get the balls up and wide, putting crosses into the box. 

“I thought the basics of the game were really hurting them in the first half so I asked for much more of the same and we just spoke a bit tactically how to deal with their threats.”

Raynes Park Vale dominated the second half and there was no a gulf in class between the two sides and they were the better side on the night.

Just past the 10 minute mark, Hope played in a low centre from within the left channel and Jordan Gallagher poked the ball across the face of the penalty area  and Lee-Wharton was forced to boot the ball clear whilst under pressure as Daniel Moody played the ball into the danger area.

Raynes Park Vale kept knocking on the door and on the hour-mark, Sweeney reached the by-line and cut the ball back for Jordan Gallagher to drill his shot on the turn past the right-hand post from 10-yards.

Sweeney then drilled a shot past the near post from a tight angle as Hythe Town continued to sit back and soak up the pressure from a side that should be playing in the Isthmian League next season.

“We changed our shape and we struggled to get to grips with it, if I’m being honest.  I got messages around the pitch but we just didn’t get to grips with it,” admitted Watt.

Raynes Park Vale’s dominance paid off as they deservedly equalised with 31 minutes and 24 seconds on the clock.

They built up well down the right before playing the ball inside to an unmarked Watson, who had superb vision to slip a 20-yard through ball in behind Gray to put Jordan Gallagher through on goal, taking a touch before slotting a clinical right-footed finish across the keeper to roll the ball into the bottom far corner from 16-yards.

“Jordan’s a good player, he scored 42 goals for that club last year,” said Watt.

“I know Jordan from Leatherhead days, he’s a really good player. When he gets in that position, he doesn’t really miss but we’ve got to do better.  It’s sloppy defending but you’ve got to say it’s good play by a good team.  They got him in.  From our point I’m not happy with the goal but you’ve got to give them credit and credit’s due.  I thought it was a well-worked goal from them.”

Hythe Town were now on the ropes and Raynes Park Vale squandered a glorious chance to notch a deserved winner.

Good wing play from substitute Ethon Archer – during a second phase of a corner – saw him put the chance on a plate for the outstanding Jordan Gallagher but he lacked composure and skied his first-time shot over the crossbar.

With two games over the holiday weekend against Sevenoaks Town (home, Saturday) and a trip to Ramsgate on Bank Holiday Monday, Watt said he was keen to avoid an extra 30 minutes.

“I changed the shape again, to try to get more bodies up front, to try not to take it to extra-time because I wanted to try to win the game and get the game done there and then because we’ve obviously got two tough games coming up in a very short period of time, so I thought let’s try to win the game and get it down but it didn’t quite work out that way.”

Hythe Town offered very little in attack during the second half but they almost snatched the lead when Liam Smith’s hooked pass released Collin down the right channel and he put over a cross for Caney-Bryan to hit his shot on the turn over the crossbar from 12-yards out.

Raynes Park Vale had one foot in the next round when they deservedly scored their third goal with 39 minutes and 36 seconds on the clock.

Sweeney, a threat down the right all night, cut in and drove a cross towards the back post for an unmarked Hope, to drill a left-footed drive to beat Lee-Wharton at his near post from eight-yards out, the ball clipping the inside of the near post and despite the goalkeeper's efforts to claw the ball out, the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line by assistant referee Richard Joss.

“Samuel Ituama switched off at the back post and he let him have a free run in and it’s a good finish, another disappointing goal from our point but I’ve got to say it’s a good delivery and the left-back done what he’s there to do, arrive late and finish it,” said Watt.

No one could argue against Hythe Town’s FA Cup elimination but they showed character to find a way, equalising in controversial circumstances with 43:59 on the clock.

Referee Kane Dempster awarded Hythe Town a free-kick just outside the right corner of the Raynes Park Vale penalty area for a push committed by Hope.

Collin whipped in a quality right-footed free-kick into the corridor of uncertainty and Fregene bundled the ball over the line from close range from within a crowd of players.

“I’ve not found out (who scored the goal) yet. Some of the boys were saying it was Jack Steventon but I’m not sure yet. I don’t really care who scored it,” admitted Watt.

“That’s what Frannie Collin does. He’s got quality at this level and the levels above is second to none and when you get the free-kick in that area I’m half thinking it’s a goal because of the way the game has gone in the last two games.

“When Fran gets the ball in that area, you know there’s going to be a chance of some sort and it’s an unbelievable delivery. Anyone could’ve put that into the net.”

Watt explained why referee Kane Dempster showed his assistant manager Michael Phillips a red card following the sixth goal of the game.

Watt said: “There was an altercation with the bench, that’s all. When they scored their goals, they were in our bench and in Micky’s face and nothing was done about it and when we scored the natural reaction sometimes is to retaliate.  Mick’s taken it a little bit too far and he’s seen a red for it.”

Watt was delighted with his side’s start to extra-time, making it 4-3 just 108 seconds in.

Jarred Trespaderne, a central midfield substitute, picked up the ball inside the final third and drove into the Raynes Park Vale penalty area and his right-footed shot clipped the base of the far post with Bishop beaten.  A composed Collin smashed his first-time drive into the net to score from eight-yards.

“I wanted to win. I didn’t want it to go to penalties, simple as that. I wanted to try to get it done early,” said Watt.

“If there’s anyone in the world you want that to be rolling back to, with all of that pressure around him and bodies flying everywhere, it’s Frannie. It’s on his weaker foot and he just lifts it beautifully.  It’s a great goal.

“Jarred gets a lot of credit for that goal because of the way he steps forward and drives through and he gets a shot off. I thought it had gone in but then it falls back to the person that you want it to fall back to and he makes no mistake.”

Harland-Goddard released the impressive Sweeney down the right and his cross from the by-line clipped the top of the Hythe Town crossbar, before Hythe Town seemingly killed the game off with their fifth goal with nine minutes and 59 seconds on the clock.

The excellent Collin drilled his right-footed free-kick from 30-yards into the wall and Bishop back-peddled and used a strong right hand to push the ball over the crossbar in the centre of his goal.

Collin floated in the home side’s sixth and penultimate corner of the game, the ball was flicked on at the near post and Caney-Bryan prodded the ball over the line from close range.

Hythe Town scraped through this tie because of Watt sending on the cavalry and Collin got his manager out of a sticky situation.

“He was the difference tonight for us to get over the line, 100%,” said Watt.

“Not even just that, his know how all around the pitch and where he needs to be, winning headers, he’s back winning tackles, not just the quality with the goals but just his know how and experience on the pitch, helping us get over the line.

“Frannie’s had a hand in three goals, all to do with his quality. He was only on the pitch for 38 minutes but that’s why I’ve brought him back to the club (from Ashford United). I know we were going to go younger this year so I know there’s going to be a bit more mistakes but we needed that quality and experience in our team.

“Fran coming on to the pitch and he’s had a hand in every single one of our three goals so in terms of tonight Fran’s made a big difference for us tonight to get over the line and get that win.

“I’m delighted for Johan, he’s worked every so hard over the last three games, even tonight.  He’s not got the return of goals but I’m delighted he’s got his couple of goals.”

There was still time for Watson to feed his former Glebe team-mate, substitute striker Charlie Penny, whose left-footed angled drive from 20-yards was pushed behind by Lee-Wharton at his near post.

Raynes Park Vale kept plugging away, however, and scored the ninth goal of this epic encounter with 26 seconds into time added on.

Archer played a low ball in from the right to an unmarked Lewis, who drilled a left-footed shot from 30-yards, which screamed into the roof of the net over Lee-Wharton’s out-stretched fingers.

Watt said: “I think Aaron should do better.  The sequence before that he comes and punches a cross and I think he can collect and then that does happen.  It’s disappointing but the saves I’ve seen Aaron make I expect him to make that save.  I can’t dig him out as he’s kept us in the game with some good saves over the two games, in particular the double-save tonight.

“He thinks he should do better with the goal but it certainly made for an interesting second 15 minutes.”

Raynes Park Vale missed a glorious chance to force a penalty shoot-out in the second period when Moody’s cross was met by Penny, who looped his header over the crossbar from eight-yards out.

Having overseen his first nine-goal thriller, Watt can now look forward to two league games before welcoming Southern League Premier Division South side Hayes & Yeading United in the next round.

“I’m glad to have a home tie,” said Watt.  “Higher opposition so no pressure.  The boys can go out to play with free down and we’ll see where it goes.

“We’ve got two very big games coming up.  Tonight has taken a lot out of us so we’ll have to patch the squad up and get everyone back in on Wednesday and Thursday and make sure everyone’s good and we go again on Saturday.

“If I’m being honest, the resources (of Sevenoaks Town and Ramsgate) compared to us anyway, I think they’re two favourites for the league. 

“Harry Hudson has done a great job since he’s gone to Sevenoaks and Steve Lovell has done a great job and is a fantastic manager and going to be a great asset for Ramsgate Football Club and built a good side, so you can’t probably pick two harder games back-to-back if the League tried for us but we’ll try to win games, that’s what we’ll try to do.

“Hopefully, we can continue to win games, hopefully not 5-4. I’d rather much win it 1-0, but it gives the fans a bit of entertainment for coming down tonight.”

Hythe Town: Aaron Lee-Wharton, Samuel Ituama, Liam Smith, Ollie Gray, Jason Fregene (Marcus Goldsmith 106), Lex Allan, Harry Miller (Jarred Trespaderne 63), Jack Steventon, Johan Caney-Bryan, Josh Stirman (Frannie Collin 82), Ethan Smith (Shad Ngandu 71).
Subs: George Sibley, Frankie Smith.

Goals: Johan Caney-Bryan 19, 100, Lex Allan 38, Jason Fregene 90, Frannie Collin 92

Booked: Harry Miller 14, Ethan Smith 53, Jarred Trespaderne 65, Jason Fregene 76, Frannie Collin 120

Sent Off: Michael Phillips 90 (assistant manager)

Raynes Park Vale: Billy Bishop, Archie Harland-Goddard, Callum Hope, Callum McAllister, Ben Dyett (Reece Hamilton 71), Jordan Stepney (Nathan Lewis 45), Jordan Gallagher, Daniel Moody, Reece William- Bowers (Ethon Archer 71), Aaron Watson (Charlie Penny 96), Bradley Sweeney.
Subs: Ben Dyson, Louie Cockle, James Smith

Goals: Jordan Gallagher 6 (penalty), 77, Callum Hope 85, Nathan Lewis 105

Booked: Callum McAllister 90

Attendance: 227
Referee: Mr Kane Dempster
Assistants: Mr Richard Joss & Mr Ryan Chantrill-Smith