Walking away from Hythe Town isn't an easy thing to do but I do feel that I need a new challenge, says manager Steven Watt

HYTHE TOWN manager Steven Watt has announced that he will step down from the Reachfields Stadium hot-seat for the second time at the end of the season.

Chairman Gary Johnson said that the 38-year-old Aberdeen-born manager told him at six o’clock this evening of his intentions to step down in seven game's time.

“Steve had signalled his intention to step down as manager in a meeting with myself this evening following the defeat at Sheppey United, but has respectfully offered to continue until the season end, which disappointingly I have accepted pending the appointment of a new manager,” said  Mr Johnson.

The Cannons suffered a 3-0 defeat at Sheppey United this afternoon - which was their fifth defeat on the trot - a result that has them in 12^th place in the Isthmian League South East Division table, having picked up 12 wins, seven draws and 12 defeats.  The Cannons are now 15 points adrift of the play-off zone.

“I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the nicest people in non-league football during my five-year involvement at Hythe Town,” said Watt in a statement.

“We achieved huge success in the last two years with the play-off final last season and making the last 32 of The FA Trophy this season.   These are two things that we can all be extremely proud of.

“The club had never achieved either of these at this level before and I’m so happy the boys and I were able to give these memories to the club and the fans.

“I haven’t made the decision to leave lightly, walking away from amazing fans and colleagues isn’t an easy thing to do but I do feel that I need a new challenge.

“I’ll continue to give my all as manger until the end of the season and have let the club know my intensions now so that they have plenty of time to find a new manager.

“I can’t thank the club, the fans, the players and the board enough for everything they have done for me and my family during my time here.”

The Cannons travel to bottom-of-the-table side Beckenham Town next Saturday, 6 April.

Phoenix Sports manager Steve O’Boyle stated following his side’s 3-1 home win over Sheppey United on Saturday that one more win from their last six league games will keep the club in the Isthmian League South East Division and O’Boyle’s men claimed a 2-1 win at Eden Park Avenue this afternoon.

Ernie Batten admitted Sheppey United's performance was 'unacceptable' as they suffered their fifth straight defeat - but they bounced back against the Cannons in front of 916 fans at Holm Park.

Darren Anslow’s side look certain to end their two-year stint in the eighth-tier as they remain rooted to the foot of the table with 19 points (four wins, seven draws and 22 defeats).

They are three points adrift of Erith & Belvedere – who claimed back-to-back draws over the Easter period against Burgess Hill Town (2-2) and East Grinstead Town (1-1).

Phoenix Sports have climbed up to sixteenth-place in the table with 31 points with seven games remaining, ahead of East Grinstead Town (29 points with six games remaining) and Littlehampton Town (29 points with six remaining).

Erith & Belvedere (22 points with five remaining) and Beckenham Town (19 points with five remaining) look on course to return to the ninth-tier next season, unless both sides experience a late upturn in form going into the final month of the season.

Applications for the managerial vacancy can be made by emailing Gary Johnson at Chairman@hythetownfc.co.uk.

Visit Hythe Town’s website: www.hythetownfc.co.uk