Ryman League Division One South
Hythe Town 2 South Park 0
A depleted South Park side missing seven regulars were defeated 2-0 away at Hythe Town with the hosts scoring both halves to claim the points.
The playing surface did little to help either side in a game which the side were better than the visitors. Chris Smith had a shot blocked in the second minute after good work from Burgess. Hythe responded with a cross from the right that was headed wide from 15 yards. David was forced to head a left wing cross behind to thwart the home side. Davids' long throw picked out Chris Smith in the Hythe box however the home defence crowded him out. Yianni hit s speculative long range shot over the bar for the home side before Wellford headed a right wing cross straight at Wastell. Chalie Smith's corner found Lavery who goal bound header was blocked. Hythe opened the scoring in the 36th minute when a ball from the right flashed across the six yard box to Wells who scored at the far post. The injured Michael Smith was replaced by Jee with Jack Watts moving into central midfield. Wastell made a double save just before the break, firstly saving Wellford's header and the follow up effort low down by the post.
A Park free kick was only half cleared to David who fired over the bar at the start of the second period. Wastell beat away a swerving 25 yard shot. Chris Smith ran onto a through ball and just as he was about to shoot the ball took an untimely bobble and his miss hit shot flew wide of the post. The home side doubled their lead in the 57th minute when a ball was played into the Park are for the onrushing Conlon to score. Burgess cleared a corner off the Park line. David's run and pulled back found Lavery however the defence blocked his effort at goal. Wellford shot wide for Hythe when well placed. Hythe hit the Park bar in the closing stages as the home side ran out comfortable winners.
South Park are away at local rivals Redhill on Tuesday. They then have successive home fixtures against Worthing on Saturday and Walton & Hersham (17/02).
South Park: Wastell, Watts, Hatfield, Miles, Ward, Charlie Smith, Burgess, Michael Smith, Lavery, Chris Smith, David. Subs: Jee, Rice, Parrott
