Hythe Town 2 v 0 VCD Athletic

Kent Football League Premier Division

VCD Athletic's unbeaten start to the season came to an end at a well-organised and confident Hythe Town side.

On a hard and bumpy Reachfield pitch, VCD started well with Danny Penny seeing a smart free-kick saved after 10 minutes and Mark Greatorex fired over from 15 yards.

It appeared from the start it may not Vickers' day as too many passes were going astray.

Hythe were dominant in midfield and with Roy Guiver a constant threat up front they were the better side up to half-time, although VCD were holding firm with a 0-0.

The second half was much like the first half with VCD doing well for the opening 15 minutes which saw Penny, Kevin Winchcombe and Stuart Abbott all going close.

They were made to pay for their missed chances as Hythe saw off the threat and then laid seige to the VCD goal.

Hythe were rewarded on 60 minutes when stand-in VCD keeper Alan Hughes dropped an innocent looking free-kick into the path of the grateful Dave Skelton.

With 10 minutes remaining the hosts wrapped up the points when Lee Winfield fired home from 10 yards.

VCD boss Martin Ford said: "It was a very disappointing way to lose out unbeaten record.

"We looked well off the pace after a bright opening but Hythe full deserved all three points.

"They were hungry and more up for the challenge than us which is a worry for me.

MATCH FACTS:

VCD ATHLETIC: Hughes, Ratchford (Ward), Thomson, Foley, Barry, Hogg, Probets, Winchcombe (Spriggs), Abbott, Greatorex (Ramirez), Penny.

SUBS NOT USED: Mahir, Minshull.