Hythe 2 Walton & Hersham 1

HYTHE TOWN'S growing reputation as a Cup side was reinforced on Saturday when they despatched Ryman Division 1 South leaders Walton and Hersham out of the E.0n FA Cup at Reachfields.

It was no fluke either as they matched the south London visitors throughout creating better chances and only denied a more comprehensive victory by some excellent saves from goalkeeper Anthony Hall.

In end it was was talisman striker Buster Smissen who fired them into first qualifying round on September 13 with a typical poacher's goal 16 minutes from the end.

They had to come from behind, however, as Walton and Hersham took a suprise lead five minutes before half time.

Two former Ashford Town players were matched up again and it was Walton striker Adrian Stone who got above Hythe skipper Tom Adlington to glance home a free kick on the angle from Stuart Booth.

Hyde was alert to keep out an early chance from Cramp in the second half but Hythe were back on terms on 50 minutes.

Pat Kingwell, normally Smissen's strike partner, was outstanding filling in at the back for regular centre half Gavin Ransley and he produced another man of the match display going forward to head home Hythe's equaliser from a Lee Winfield free kick.

Stone thought he had restored Walton's lead on the hour only for the effort to be rightly disallowed for offside.

The winner came on 74 minutes and came after a spell of terrific Hythe pressure.

Smissen's fine crossfield ball released pacy Hythe substitute Gary Mickelborough, who had replaced Nielson nine minutes earlier, and he caused havoc cutting it to get a fine shot on target which was magnificently saved by Hall. However, the ball only ran loose for Sly to knock back in towards the far post where Golden Boot Smissen showed his striker's instincts to head home close in from a tight angle.