Hythe Town: 0

Tunbridge Wells: 0

TUNBRIDGE Wells proved last week's 3-0 reverse at Corninthian was just a blip by claiming a hard earned point at Hythe Town on Saturday, writes Glenn Garrett.

Facing a team in a rich vein of form was always going to be a stern test, but Martin Larkin's side were more than a match for their rivals. In fact, Larkin felt Wells could even have come away with the win.

"We restricted them to long range efforts and over the 90 minutes they didn't have a single shot on target from open play – that was impressive," Larkin said.

"In the second half we really came into it. They were pushing forward looking for the win – they are chasing the title – and we hit them on the break three or four times.

"With a bit more composure we would have come away with three points."

As to be expected the hosts put plenty of pressure on the Wells goal throughout the 90 minutes, but for all their play rarely troubled Mikelle Czanner. Having already lost twice to Hythe this season, Larkin changed things round a bit, playing a narrower midfield and it paid dividends as the hosts struggled to get any shots on target.

Dave Cook headed a second minute free-kick from Gary Clarke over, and Hythe had their best two chances of the opening half in the space of two minutes.

Firstly Mike Yianni's dipping volley from another cross by Clarke was just too high. Then Kieran Byrne's goalbound blast was scrambled away on 12 minutes.

Hythe's chances came and went – they had a dozen corners spread throughout the 90 minutes – while the visitors look dangerous on the counter, with one very good chance in each half.

Their best effort of the first period was well saved by Kieron Mann as he beat away Nick Graham's shot at the back post, just before the half-hour mark.

Hythe had arguably their best opportunity of the game within a minute of the second half restart.

This time, good build up on the right between Yianni and Ian Batten ended with the ex-Whitstable midfielder blazing over from inside the six yard box.

Impressive keeper Czanner foiled Byrne, who was set up by Pat Kingwell just after the hour.

But it was Wells who finished the stronger, hitting Hythe on the break. Mike Lord dragged a shot wide and in all honesty they could have taken maximum points.

Wells are at home to Herne Bay in the Kent senior cup tomorrow afternoon. 3pm kick-off.

"It's a one-off cup game," Larkin said. "They are the only team to beat us at home this year and we are keen to put that right. We've got our Christmas party afterwards, so hopefully it'll be a good day all round."

In other news, on Tuesday night Larkin completed the signing of Tom Davey from Ryman league outfit Chatham.

The former England schoolboy captain will go straight into tomorrow's starting XI.