Tunbridge Wells 5-0 Hythe Town - I'll be happy to do it if I'm asked to do it, I'll be happy to take on any other role until the end of the season, says Hythe Town caretaker manager Henry Newcombe

Tunbridge Wells 5 – 0 Hythe Town
Location	Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SG
Kickoff	31/03/2026 19:45

TUNBRIDGE WELLS  5-0  HYTHE TOWN
Presence & Co Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Tuesday 31 March 2026
Stephen McCartney reports from Culverden Stadium

HYTHE TOWN caretaker manager Henry Newcombe says he’ll be happy to do the job or take on any other role until the end of the season and says his players have got a free hit after the club suffered back-to-back relegations after being thrashed by ten-man Tunbridge Wells.

Play-off chasing Tunbridge Wells were ruthless in front of goal by scoring four goals inside the opening 16 minutes as debutant goalkeeper Carter Wilson suffered a chastening first experience of the ninth-tier Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

Centre-half Ollie Hyland, striker Lucas Murrain and winger Regan Corke (twice) all scored during a clinical spell from the home side, as Hythe Town’s two centre-halves Jason Fregene and debutant Olubiyi Shobowale were cut to shreds in embarrassing fashion.

Hythe Town then showed tremendous character and desire at four-nil down and Tunbridge Wells lost their left-back Ben Martin-Coward to a straight red card on the half-hour mark, before Corke scored a sublime half-volley to notch his hat-trick and his 18^th goal of the season in the second half to send out a statement to the sides above them in the table that Tunbridge Wells are still involved in the play-off race following their fourth win on the bounce.

Andy Drury stepped down as Hythe Town’s third manager of the season within the dressing room following their 5-2 derby day defeat at Kennington at the weekend, after failing to get a tune out of his side and losing five of his eight games in charge, leaving the club second-from-bottom in the table with 20 points (five wins, five draws and 20 defeats).

Hythe Town made six changes to the side that lost in Ashford and six of their 16-man squad made debuts here tonight.

Goalkeeper Newcombe, 28, who is currently on the sidelines with a knee injury, was contacted by chairman Vishal Nanda on Sunday to take temporary charge and get 16 players to Culverden Stadium but there was no evidence that they can avoid relegation, with the Reachfields Stadium outfit 13 points adrift of safety (Faversham Strike Force) with 15 points up for grabs.

Newcombe reflected on his first game as a football manager.

“I think it’s hard.  If you look at the whole scenario as a whole, I think, massive transition.  I had 48 hours to sort players.  We were calling in favours from people, people’s brothers who they know. People on non-contract, people that we need to get in on the (transfer) deadline.

“I made it pretty simple today on how I wanted to play and we got punished for it by a team that’s been together for a lot longer.

“But after that I think how we’ve not come away and not scored. I can’t fault the players for running their socks off constantly for me, keep winning headers against a side that’s been together for ages.

“People were getting to know each other 15 minutes before the meet time. I can’t really fault it at all. 

“Obviously, the result from the outside looks horrendous but I think we were unlucky not to get at least one or two goals there and to be fair I’m proud of the boys that put in a shift.

“I know a lot of them could’ve easily gone, could’ve walked away and seen the season off and they’ve done what I’ve asked them to do. They’ve ran around, they’ve put a shift in and I’m happy with that.”

Ira Jackson (21 games in all competitions, six wins, two draws and 13 defeats), Darren Beale (nine games, no wins, four draws and five defeats) and Drury (eight games, two wins, one draw and five defeats) and 92 footballers have all contributed to  Hythe Town dropping into the tenth-tier Southern Counties East Football League First Division in what can be described as Hythe Town’s worst ever campaign.

“My job was to come in and do tonight. The chairman rang me on Sunday and I said I would,” revealed Newcombe.

“I’ve had to retire from playing for the foreseeable because I’m going through another knee operation. I’ve always thought about going into managing, probably not at the age of 28 but it’s a free hit.

“The club has been really supportive of me. Andy Short, the secretary, Andy (Vishal Nanda) the chairman have backed me. It’s given me a taste of management, probably a few years (earlier) than I thought it would and I’ve seen it from the other side.

“It’s been enjoyable and it’s a free hit for myself. The club have made it constant for me that it’s a free hit and I’ve got nothing to lose. Go and have a go, have an experience and hopefully the boys show a bit of fight for the end of the season.”

It was the first time that Tunbridge Wells have scored five goals since thrashing Holmesdale 5-1 at Oakley Road on 26 April 2025.

“Look, I wanted to win and I’ll take any win going,” said Tunbridge Wells manager Steve Ives.

“Obviously, the margin was comfortable. I think the first 20 minutes we kind of blew them away.  Obviously, they’re fighting for their lives as well, so I’m sure they’ll be disappointed.

“The sending off was a tricky one. It made things a bit more complicated but yes ultimately, I’ve got to be happy with that haven’t it and the fight the boys showed to hang onto the clean sheet, playing against 11 men for the best part of an hour with 10 men and still I would suggest looking the better side for most of that, so I’ve got to be happy.

“There were rumours that they were basically going to bring the under 23s but actually a lot of the boys that were here tonight, were involved in their game on Saturday, so I certainly don’t think anyone can excuse them of downing tools and I think they were quite clearly up for being competitive and up for having a fight.

“But when you kind of start like that, it kind of knocks the stuffing out of anyone doesn’t it? I feel for them a little bit, it’s a big football club and obviously they’re in a bit of trouble, aren’t they?”

An outstanding Tunbridge Wells set the tone after only 19 seconds when left-winger Daika Montague split an awful Hythe Town defence to put Corke through on goal but Wilson came off his line to smother the ball at the attacker’s feet.

“That would’ve been a flying start. It was a fantastic start. We challenged the boys in the changing room because we’ve had a couple of sloppy starts recently against Stansfeld and Snodland, where we went 1-0 down,” explained Ives.

“We just said on an occasion like tonight, didn’t want to give them any sort of encouragement or any sort of cause to cling onto, so to come out of the blocks like that, I’m really pleased and proud of the boys.”

Tunbridge Wells opened the floodgates by taking the lead with only 135 seconds on the clock, following the first of only two corners (Hythe Town actually took eight, four in each half).

Central midfielder Christopher Lawal delivered the ball towards the near-post from the right where Hyland came up from the back to find space at the near-post to hook his right-footed volley into the right-hand corner of the goal.

Ives said: “I think one thing that we said is and I’ve been saying this for a couple of games, we’ve now got some real big aerial threats from dead ball and Chris’ delivery  has been pretty much on the money 80-90 per cent of the time.  I’m not sure they really recovered from that did they?”

Newcombe said: “I’ve known Carts for years. He works for me. He’s a young keeper. He is 20-21, so he’s a young kid.

“I know how hard it is. I mean, you have to establish yourselves at levels but you need opportunities as a young keeper. I’ve given him his opportunity tonight.

“He’s made two absolute worldys in the second half, so it could’ve been more but for a keeper it’s all an experience.  Everything’s an experience.  You learn more as a keeper when you’re older, that’s why keeper’s peak when they’re 26, 27, 28.  They’ve got the games behind them because they learn from these experiences and these moments in games, that he’ll learn from.

“Some of the goals he’ll learn from. Some of the goals he’s sort of left out to try but he will learn from that.

“I’ve given him experience. I want him to go and get more experience and I’ll do that with all these players. We’ve got young lads. I don’t know the average age of my side, I’ll find out but I’m giving these lads a chance to go out and express themselves.”

Clinical Tunbridge Wells doubled their lead – with six minutes and 36 seconds on the clock – on the counter-attack.

Lawal travelled over the half-way line on the right before pinging a long diagonal out to Montague, who cut into the channel and reached the by-line before dinking in a cross towards the unmarked Corke, who hooked his right-footed volley against the far post but Murrain was on hand to slam the ball over the line to score his sixth goal of the season.

“We’ve missed Lucas. He had a few months working in Oman. He’s come back because of the Middle Eastern conflict, which has worked out quite nicely for us,” said Ives.

“He’s a number nine, he’s a predator. He holds the ball up well and that was just an example of someone following in, which good centre-forwards do and we probably haven’t had that for parts this season.”

Newcombe added: “It’s just one of them. I think when you’re down there, I think luck is against you. I think it’s one of those that it’s opened up and it always seemed to fall for them, that’s it.  You create your own luck and I think by doing things right, we can only be positive about these things and the players will learn from it.”

Hythe Town’s left-winger Levi Burgin was their only threat during the first half as he played the ball down the line, Monty Saunders hooked pass released Robbie Dolan who charged down the left before hitting his left-footed angled drive looping over the top of the far post from 14-yards on the angle.

A ruthless Tunbridge Wells raced into a three-goal lead with just nine minutes and 53 seconds on the clock, as Hythe Town left-back Jake McCarthy and Shobowale produced more Sunday League defending.

Tunbridge Wells’ holding midfielder Matthew Dunmall split open the pair with a fine 40-yard deck through ball for Corke to make a well-timed run in behind, easily skipped past the onrushing awful goalkeeper before rolling his right-footed shot into the middle of the empty net.

“Reg was a massive, massive threat of their left-backs shoulder,” added Ives.

“Matty, who I thought was exceptional. He ended up playing right-back. In fact, my whole back four, three of them, I said at half-time, ‘three of you wouldn’t tell me defence if your favourite position’ but I look at the clean-sheet and they’ve done it with pride haven’t they.

“But anyway, back to your point. It was a good through ball from Matty and I thought he played well.”

Newcombe added: “Disappointing. I mean we’ve got two centre-halves that haven’t played at all, didn’t know each other before tonight.

“I think these things will happen and you get found out at this level against a team that are experienced and have been together for a long time.

“I think we can look at individual mistakes but ultimately there basics in football you need to do and you can’t be done by a straight ball but I can’t really pinpoint and put blame on anyone tonight.”

Dunmall played a low ball in from the right-channel, Murrain laid the ball off inside the box, the away side failed to clear their lines and Murrain swept his first-time shot wide of the goal from the corner of the penalty area.

Tunbridge Wells notched their fourth goal of the night – as an awful Hythe Town back four capitulated for a fourth time with only 15 minutes and 33 seconds on the clock.

An unpressed Martin-Coward was close to the half-way line and played another long ball, which failed to be cut out by awful pair Fregene and Showbowale and the outstanding Corke latched onto the ball and clinically placed his low right-footed shot past the rabbit in headlights Hythe Town goalkeeper.

“When Reg has got his tail up he is lethal because of his pace. It’s just a question whether he’s got his scoring boots,” said Ives.

“He had missed a few chances. I’ve sort of challenged him the last few games because he has missed a couple. He took his goal really well against Snodland and he’s carried that on tonight.

“I thought his finish was clinical. Having said that, the keeper did make a couple of good saves, he possibly could be looking at four or five so credit where credits due to the lad in goal.”

Newcombe added: “Regan Corke’s a good player. I spoke to a few of the boys at Snodland before and they highlighted him and we just didn’t deal with them and that’s what happens when you don’t deal with good players.”

Hythe Town created a glorious chance to pull a goal back (20:25) when Shobowale’s left-footed long ball was hit down the line. The ball was flicked on by the rising Burgin and Dolan did well to cut inside two defenders (Joshua MacArthur-Nolan and Ryan Hine) and Dolan drilled his left-footed shot across the keeper and watched the ball bounce just past the foot of the far post.

“Levi is a creative player.  He’s tall, he’s strong. I think even off the pitch, Levi’s helping out. He’s brought his brother in, who was Marley (St Louis) on the other side,” revealed Newcombe.

“It was Levi’s first game on Saturday, gets brought off. Manager quits in the changing room, could so easily had walked away, find another club or chilled out for the rest of the season but he’s rolled his sleeves up, come in, offered me players to bring in, the same as well with Olu (Shoebowale), the centre-half tonight.

“He didn’t play any minutes on Saturday, seen the manager quit and then rings me up, rings the chairman up, offers up three players (debutant substitutes, wingers Rotimi Johnson and Judah Hushie and striker Elijah Abatan) he knew, so the boys that came on from the bench and I think fair play to characters like that, who are willing to play for free, roll their sleeves up and keep going and keep fighting.”

Corke, who was now partnering Murrain, played the ball square to attacking midfielder Rory Ward, who stroked a first time right-footed drive from 25-yards, which was pushed towards safety by Wilson, diving low to his left, for a morale boosting save.

There were numerous long balls played by both sides and referee Joshua Cloake pulled out a straight red-card (29:33) for Martin-Coward for his last-man foul on Hythe Town’s five-goal striker Richie Keil, just a yard or so from the penalty area.

Both manager’s were asked about the incident – but Hythe Town certainly started to perform better before their hosts were reduced to 10.

Ives said: “That red card, it probably knocked our rhythm. I’m not totally sure. You never want to see one of your players get a straight red but if it was the last men then I guess it’s letter of the Law wasn’t it?  At least it wasn’t a penalty, so it’s easy for me to sit here now and be quite relaxed about it.

“I feel sorry for Ben because he’s been very patient waiting for (Muiz Alaka) to be away so he can have a start and I actually thought he started the game really well.

“In fact he put a through ball in for one of Reg’s goals. He clipped one over from the left, so I don’t want to rob him of an assist but I thought he had a really strong 25 minutes. I thought he looked comfortable.”

Newcombe added: “I think it’s a read card. I think he’s been brought down on a goalscoring opportunity.  I’ve seen Harry Maguire (Manchester United centre-half) get sent off the same literally two weeks ago, it’s definitely a red card.

“When the boys’ picked up what I’m telling them to do. I can’t fault Richie at all, been at the club all season, been through all sorts of transitions, always been there and I’d love to have a GPS on him tonight because he must’ve run about 12-13 kilometres, easily.

Shobowale summed up his lack of quality by drilling his left-footed drive straight into George Bentley’s five man wall before the centre-half lashed his second bite of the cherry over the crossbar from 19-yards.

Hythe Town then started to control proceedings and two brothers, both wingers, combined, while kicking down the hill.

Marley St Louis reached the right by-line and cut the ball back to Burgin, who lacked composure inside the six-yard box and had too many touches, which allowed MacArthur-Nolan to make a last-ditch defensive block, pulling his hamstring in the process.

Hythe Town’s holding midfielder Jack Hanson pinged a diagonal ball to Dolan, who took a touch before cracking a right-footed rasping drive towards the top right-hand corner from 25-yards, forcing Bentley to dive to his left and claw the ball out high to his left.

“I think everyone on the sideline looking at it, you’re thinking cricket score but they didn’t roll over, they didn’t die. They respected me by doing that,” said Newcombe.

“It’s my first time out in the dug-out and it’s probably a record as a manger of how many goals you can concede within 16 minutes but fair play to them, they rolled their sleeves up, solidified it and we had so many good opportunities after it.”

When asked about Hythe Town’s players showing character at four-nil down, Ives replied: “Agreed! I mean when you’re 4-0 up, you should really be saying the game’s dead, shouldn’t you but there’s a little part of me particularly when you go down to 10 men that’s just thinking if they can get one back because they looked fired up, they completed, they competed for every ball, every second ball. Robbie Dolan was winning a lot of headers in the midfield. They were clearly trying to get in behind us as soon and early as they could.

“I won’t say they were actually threatening our goal as much, although there were a couple of scares but they certainly didn’t down tools, that’s the one thing.

“I thought going into half-time, was probably their strongest spell. They got the momentum going down the hill. I don’t think we quite adjusted to having 10 men. It took us a little while because a couple of people, Rory Ward’s ended up playing left-back then Macca has to go off.

“That’s the other thing, it’s just not the red card. Macca pulled his hamstring so I’ve lost my left-back on 30 and then my right-back on 45 and we’re a little bit, it’s almost typical Tunbridge Wells, just when you think things are going well, you get a kick in the proverbial but we rode out.

“There was a sequence where a couple of people put their bodies on the line and as you say Hythe showed a lot of desire to get back in the game but I think we matched that with our desire to keep our clean sheet.”

The impressive Burgin twisted and turned MacArthur-Nolan on the by-line and put in a cross towards the near-post but Saunders lacked quality and clipped his left-footed half-volley off target and Bentley stepped to his right to gather.

MacArthur-Nolan was subbed just before the interval and Ives put Dunmall at right-back and Ward slotted in at left-back after Martin-Coward went for an early shower.

Ives said: “We got our shape sorted out and we just basically said the challenge really is to keep a clean sheet and we’ve won the game.  We obviously managed to do both so can’t be anything happy and proud to be fair.

“I think maybe they (Hythe) ran out of steam a little bit last 20 minute actually 100 per cent they looked like they were playing for the shirt and the manager and we’ve just been clinical, haven’t we. Let’s me honest, we’ve just been clinical in front of goal.”

When asked what he said during his first half-time team talk of his rookie managerial career, Newcombe revealed: “I did ask them questions. I just asked the boys how I wanted them to play before the game. They answered me, so I questioned why they didn’t (follow out the instructions) for the first 16 minutes.  I questioned why they didn’t.  I just think it’s a little bit of naivety.

“It’s the problem of a new team getting thrown together and people don’t know each other and at the end we looked like a team at 4-0.  We showed that character and I said to them, we changed the formation because they went down to 10 and it just gave us a bit more solidity at the back.

“I didn’t scream and shout – I did enough of that on the touchline. I didn’t think there was any need to.  The group of players that we’ve got now are going to be the group of players for the end of the season and I want to get the best out of them.

“I asked them questions, they answered me and we went out and changed that, albeit until they scored their last goal, I thought we were good.”

Hythe Town came out with all guns blazing and dominated proceedings for the first 15 minutes of the second half, helped by the introduction of right-back Blu Hustwaite, who is on dual-registration from Isthmian League South East Division side Margate.

Hustwaite started the move, which ended with St Louis playing the ball inside to Hanson, who took a touch before drilling his right-footed drive across the keeper and harmlessly wide of the left-hand post from 30-yards after only 91 seconds.

“I think Blu’s a good player, another good player. He’s played in midfield, played right-back,” said Newcombe.

“I spoke to Blu and said he’s going to have an impact on this game. I spoke to all of the subs. I said they’re all going to get minutes. These boys have given up their time, some of them have come without traveling expenses.  I have to be fair to people that have travelled down. It’s not the easiest place to get to on a Tuesday night within 48 hours of knowing each other, so I will be fair with that.

“I was really impressed with Blu. He’s a good player. I’ll work with him until the end of the season and give a young player more match minutes and more experience.”

With Dolan pulling the strings in the middle of the park inside the Tunbridge Wells half, Dolan linked up well with now left-back Folarin Awoleke, before his half-volley found St Louis, who stroked his left-footed shot past the left-hand post from 22-yards (3:28).

Saunders cut the ball back from within the right-channel to a high Hustwaite, who whipped in a first-time hanging cross, which Bentley did well to stick out an outstretched right-hand to punch towards safety, high to his right.

However, Tunbridge Wells went route one to score their fifth goal of the night, an example that they tick whenever Corke is hitting his own very high standards.

Hyland smashed a long ball out of defence with his right-foot and Awoleke went missing as Corke charged down the hill towards the corner of the penalty area, before drilling a quality right-footed half-volley in off the underside of the crossbar from 22-yards, with 18 minutes and 11 seconds on the clock.

Ives said: “The pace if absolutely frightening isn’t it from Reg and when we’re down to 10 men and you’re humming and erring is it time to withdraw Reg and just protect him but he’s such a threat. It just sends the other team backwards and stops them slinging defenders forward because they left three of them back.

“The finish was brilliant, wasn’t it? Ollie’s clearance stroke through ball has put him in and he’s lobbed the keeper, in off the underside of the crossbar, so absolute quality from Reg tonight.”

Newcombe added: “It’s a worldy finish and it’s one of those that you hope it hits the bar and we draw the second half, or at least nick it in the second half but it’s a quality finish and if you’re undone by quality, I’ve got no complaints.”

Tunbridge Wells substitute striker Kieran James was a threat in the air and he met Corke’s cross from the by-line with a free header which he steered across Wilson and the keeper was able to comfortably gather.

Wilson made amends following a set-piece from Tunbridge Wells (31:40).

Dunmall delivered a deep right-footed free-kick from the half-way line, James’ towering header sailed across the face of goal and substitute central midfielder Jack Gallagher’s stabbed shot was tipped towards safety by Wilson, diving to his left.

The Hythe Town goalkeeper also dived high to his left to claw out Corke’s attempt on goal, shortly after Jonathan Shea’s deck pass played in Dunmall and the now right-back dragged his right-footed shot across Wilson and past the far post as the home side knocked on the door against a tiring Hythe Town team.

A sixth goal would have taken his side above Snodland Town on goal-difference but the Wells remain in 12^th place in the table tonight on 43 points (13 wins, four draws and 13 defeats).

“I’ll be honest, I was aware that six would put us above Snodland, so I didn’t want to put the pressure on the boys because you know what happens, you start forcing it and you let a goal in and for me the clean sheet was the number one priority tonight,” added Ives.

“Literally on the final kick and like all of the boys had a massive commitment to not let a goal in and it’s brilliant to see because I am quite a defensive minded coach – you wouldn’t think it if you look at some of our results this season but I actually really proud of that defensive display tonight.”

Tunbridge Wells maintained their clean sheet with the last kick of the game (49:25).

Substitute winger Rotimi Johnson swung the ball in from the left towards the back post where Awoleke’s shot on the turn was tipped over the crossbar by Bentley, who sprinted out to narrow the angle.

“I mean, it’s a great save, they celebrated it. That’s what I want my teams to do when I’m a manager. I want us to celebrate every header, every clearance. That’s where I’ve been, that’s why I’ve had success in my career at clubs that really care about the finer details and keeping the ball out of the net, that’s big and that’s what I want to embrace here,” said Newcombe.

“Obviously, we’ve done that after the 16^th minute really well, so that’s what I want them to take on board and I think fair play to them, 5-0 up, they want to keep a clean sheet and that’s how football should be.”

Tunbridge Wells are seven points adrift of the play-offs after tonight’s impressive performance and have six games remaining.

Kennington (home, 4 April), Rusthall (home, 6 April), Larkfield & New Hythe (away, 11 April), Faversham Strike Force (home, 14 April), Corinthian (home, 18 April) and Fisher (away, 25 April).

“Dan Scorer (Kennington manager) is a good friend and they’re a good side. They played Hythe previous game to us so anything could happen,” said Ives.

“Look, we’re on a roll, we’re in good form. I’d love to continue that but one thing I know is you start looking any further ahead than what’s right in front of you and you trip over, so we’ll rest up, we’ll re-group.

“I think what you saw tonight is we were able to manage the subs. I think all the subs that came on, the squad is now that strong the boys coming on don’t make us any weaker and I’ve got some interesting selection dilemmas for Saturday but that’s good.”

The race to see who will join champions Whitstable Town (77 points from 31 games) in the Isthmian League South East Division next season is hotting up.

Fisher (55 points from 30 games) and Bearsted (55 points from 32) look destined to confirm their play-off places – but all can change in the last month.

Larkfield & New Hythe (50 points from 31 games) and Rusthall (50 points from 30 games) are also in the play-off zone tonight.

Hollands & Blair (48 points from 32 games – and held Rusthall to a goal-less draw last night), Punjab United (47 points from 30 games), Phoenix Sports (46 points from 31 games), Sutton Athletic (46 points from 31 games), Erith & Belvedere (43 points from 32 games), Snodland Town (43 points from 30 games) and Tunbridge Wells will all believe that they all stand a chance too.

When asked about the home Rocks derby against Rusthall on Easter Monday, Ives replied: “As I’ve said to you mate, I think if you start looking any further ahead than the next hurdle then you fall over your nose, so I’m purely focusing on Kennington right now and we’ll try to put our best account of ourselves then and the derby is more one for the fans than us to be honest. I see it as another game od football that I want to win.”

When asked about making a last-gasp dash into the play-off zone, Ives replied: “We’ve set targets. I’ll be honest with you, everybody in the changing room knows what our targets are. I ain’t going to be stupid enough to put them on here and make myself look silly if it doesn’t happen but you’ve watched us, you watch a lot of football. You’ve watched two other play-off contenders last night, you tell me where you think we’re in the pecking order right now?

“There’s always a chance, there’s always a chance but we’re just focusing on one game at a time as I say and I say again if you start looking at the hurdle further in front and you trip over the one you’re trying to get over, so all about Kennington now.

“Dan’s a good manager, they’re a good side. I’m not doing nothing other than putting all my energy into beating Kennington (13^th place, 38 points – 11 wins, five draws and 15 defeats).

“Fair play to Hythe. I wish them well. They can still mathematically stay up. It’s a good club, good people. We’ve done that job, that’s done. It’s another side we’ve done the double over. Four games in a row we’ve completed the double over our opposition.  Kennington beat us last time (2-1, 9 August), so we can’t do the double over them but it will be nice to take three points off them to even things up a bit.”

Stansfeld are rooted to the foot of the table with 16 points with seven games remaining, while Hythe Town have picked up 20 points (five wins, five draws and 21 defeats) and are 12 points adrift, 13 if you take goal-difference into account of safety, with Faversham Strike Force surviving their first campaign at this level.

The miss-firing Cannons complete their miserable campaign against Larkfield & New Hythe (away, Saturday), champions Whitstable Town (away, 6 April), Sutton Athletic (home, 11 April), Faversham Strike Force (home, 18 April) and Punjab United (away, 23 April).

“Until we’re mathematically down, we’re not down, that’s it,” insisted Newcombe, who knows suffering a 5-0 defeat against 10 men away from home means that the club will be playing in the tenth-tier next season.

“It’s a free hit, every game now is a free hit. People say until it’s mathematically done but if you’re realistic and you’re looking and you’re honest with players, this is a free hit for all of our players to showcase what they can do against any other opposition.

“I said to the boys, you’ve got an opportunity to go and play against a play-off team and then the champions Whitstable and showcase what you’ve got. It’s a free hit, a free situation of the boys to go and express themselves.”

When asked whether he will be in charge for the game at New Hythe Lane at the weekend, Newcombe replied: “I’m not too sure. My role was to come to help the club out at short notice, which I’m happy to do.

“It’s given me experiences that I’ll always remember and any experience in the dug-out as a coach, watching any game, being involved in any game of football, dealing with all the ins and outs that happens, all the admin, just how a football club runs, experience is good experience for me.

“I’ll be happy to do it if I’m asked to do it. I’ll be happy to take on any other role until the end of the season. I think we just need loyalty until the end of the season and then we’ll go from there.

“All of the boys came through unscathed. I just think it was the lack of minutes, there were a few tired legs out there.  But that’s what I expect.

“I want all of the boys to run into the ground and then I bring them off and then the next person comes on and will do the same.  There was a bit of fatigue but no-ones got any real injuries.

“I didn’t want to bring 19-20 players to Tunbridge Wells and leave four out. I think that’s unfair.  We tried to get as many in as we could before the deadline.  We’ve got a very good under 23s team and I’m a firm believer of giving other people an opportunity as well.”

Tunbridge Wells: George Bentley, Joshua MacArthur-Nolan (Bradley Austin 45), Ben Martin-Coward, Matthew Dunmall, Ryan Hine (Michael Samson 76), Ollie Hyland, Daika Montague (Jonathan Shea 46), Christopher Lawal (Jack Gallagher 74), Lucas Murrain (Kieran James 63), Rory Ward, Regan Corke.

Goals: Ollie Hyland 3, Lucas Murrain 7, Regan Corke 10, 16, 64

Sent Off:  Ben Martin-Coward 30

Hythe Town: Carter Wilson, Folarin Awoleke, Jake McCarthy (Blu Hustwaite 46), Jack Hanson (Jerzy Krzyszka 68), Jason Fregene, Olubiyi Shobowale, Levi Burgin (Judah Hushie 65), Robbie Dolan, Richie Keil (Elijah Abatan 74), Monty Saunders, Marley St Louis (Rotimi Johnson 65).

Attendance: 153
Referee: Mr Joshua Cloake
Assistants: Mr Joseph Murray & Mr Thomas Colyer