Pre-season friendly sees Hythe & Dibden defeat local rivals Bashley
Pre-season friendly
Hythe & Dibden FC 2
Bashley FC 1
HYTHE & Dibden got some much-needed minutes in the legs while defeating local rivals Bashley by a 2-1 margin.
Hosting at the Hythe Garage Services Stadium, they claimed some bragging rights while defeating Bashley, who play in the division above, after goals from Charlie Drury and Zak Willis.
Bashley fired home a late consolation strike from the 12-yard mark after a penalty award, but Hythe held on.
Bashley took control of the ball right from the start and put Hythe under extreme pressure, knocking the ball around and putting them on the back foot.
However, the hosts showed excellent composure and organisation, which gave them a platform to unleash some attacking football that matched their superior opposition.
Eventually, their efforts were rewarded when Drury found himself through on goal in the 17th minute before slotting home the opener.
The game was pretty even throughout the rest of the first half, but Bashley looked like the side that was more likely to score next.
However, the Hythe defence held firm, frustrating the visitors’ attempts at finding an equaliser, and Luke Deacon was on hand to make the stop anytime Bashley breached the back line.
Hythe strung impressive attacks together, and they eventually got their rewards with 54 minutes played when a good crack down the right led to a threaded pass to Willis at the back post, who passed it nonchalantly into the back of the net.
Bashley laid siege to the host penalty area, but they could only find the back of the net once the referee pointed to the penalty spot, with keeper Deacon unable to deny the effort.