Hythe Town 1 Lordswood 1

by Darrell Harman

LOWLY Lords emerged with a well-deserved share of the spoils against a Hythe team who were chasing the Kent League title 10 days ago.

The home side posed most of the early threats and Steve Ward beat Lords keeper Mark Beresford but hit a post in the sixth minute.

However, in the 18th it was home fans who were looking on in dismay as Dominic Elmes flicked an Aaron Burrett cross beyond the reach of Hythe keeper Kieron Mann from 15 yards.

The game was ebbing and flowing at this stage, but it was from a half-cleared corner that Ward squared the scores.

Having equalised, Hythe suddenly upped their game and in the 34th minute Dave Cook headed wide unopposed from six yards. Eight minutes later Craig Thompson hit a post and the interval arrived at just the right time for the visitors.

Hythe were in the ascendancy in the second period, but while Thompson (twice) and Martin Chandler had opportunities they missed the target. When Thompson did get a header right, Beresford pulled off a cracking save.

Lords' defence worked overtime but battled on to the end and in the 84th minute Ray Broad almost nicked it with a snap shot which was saved at the second attempt by Mann.