Rookie goalkeeper Connor O’Hara has been thrown in at the deep end after Hythe Town’s regular No.1 Dan Eason was struck down by mumps.

O’Hara, 18, made his debut on Saturday as Hythe won 4-2 at home to Worthing.

But he’s set for a tougher examination tonight (Wednesday) when Scott Porter’s side travel to play Leatherhead, who sit second in Ryman League Division 1 South.

Porter admitted: "I don’t think Dan will be fit for Wednesday. His face has swollen up and we’ll probably keep him away. We don’t want anyone else to catch it.

"Connor’s only 18 years old but he was top drawer on Saturday, under a lot of pressure. He’s been with us for a while but that was his first game."

Three wins on the bounce have moved Hythe well clear of the relegation zone and Porter’s perspective on the last five weeks of the season is changing.

He said: "Three weeks ago, we were looking at the teams below us because of the situation we were in. Now we want to catch the teams above us. We haven’t cracked it yet but the results we’ve had will bring confidence and belief."

Hythe are away to Burgess Hill Town on Saturday.