Match report: Hythe & Dibden’s four-game unbeaten run ended by high-flying Wessex League Premier Division leaders AFC Portchester’s 3-0 win
Hythe & Dibden came into the match full of confidence on Saturday after going four games unbeaten, but red-hot league AFC Portchester won 3-0 to maintain their 12-point gap.
AFC Portchester made a bright start thanks to Lee Wort’s early goal, and although a second didn’t arrive until the 55th minute, it was fully deserved, and a third soon followed.
“AFC Portchester are flying, and they’re a very good outfit”, said Hythe & Dibden manager Richard Morse. “We just couldn’t get near them, sadly, which was a shame because coming into the game, we were four games unbeaten and felt confident we could compete, but it wasn’t to be.
“We can’t do anything about it now and just have to prepare for the next game away to Laverstock.”
The opener came after a delightful header from Wort, whose glanced header flew past Luke Deacon in the Hythe goal.
The visitors’ best chance to grab a second in the first 45 miniutes came off another header. This time, captain Kane O’Keefe nodded the ball beyond the keeper, but a well-placed and alert defender was on hand to hack clear.
With 10 minutes of the second half played, AFC Portchester were firing hopeful ball after hopeful ball into the box. Eventually, one would make it to Josh Clack, who fired a low shot into the net to make it 2-0.
Just over 10 minutes later, Ryan Pennery curled an effort into the far corner of the net to effectively kill the game as a contest and seal three points for the champions-elect.
Hythe & Dibden’s match on Saturday against Laverstock & Ford at 3pm is expected to be a closely fought contest, with the two sides locked together on 29 points. However, Hythe will be a slight underdog, with Saturday’s hosts holding three games in hand.
Hythe & Dibden: L. Deacon, S. Boon, S. Danvers, R. Crookes, R. Flooks, J. Batt, M. Laptas, B. Sexton-Chadwick, L. Carbayo-Borges, D. Hacon, H. Clarke. Subs: C. Hewson, L. Thompson, K. Gatera, T. Lycett, T. Hobbs.
