Hythe Town sack manager Darren Beale after eight league games in charge of the Southern Counties East Premier Division strugglers

Hythe Town have sacked manager Darren Beale after only eight league games in charge.

Beale was dismissed by his hometown club following the Cannons’ 7-2 defeat at Snodland on Saturday.

The result left them bottom of the Southern Counties East Premier Division - eight points from safety with 13 games remaining and battling to avoid successive relegations.

Beale succeeded Ira Jackson in November with the Cannons in trouble after a run of 11 defeats in 12 games, taking on his first manager’s job after a long and successful career in coaching.

He set about strengthening the squad, naming Roarie Deacon as his player-assistant manager, but a league win proved elusive and he departs Reachfields with three draws and five defeats from his eight matches.

Hythe’s only victory under Beale came against the same opponents who ended his reign, beating Snodland on penalties in the Challenge Cup on Tuesday night following a goalless draw.

The Cannons announced the dismissal of Beale and his management team in a club statement.

“This decision has not been taken lightly,” they said.

“Over a sustained period, league performances and results have not met the standards or expectations of the football club.

“Throughout this time, the board has continued to fully support the manager - both operationally and financially -allowing him to bring in the players he believed were needed to turn results around.

“Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the required improvement has not materialised.

“As a football club, our responsibility is to act in the best interests of Hythe Town FC. That means protecting the club’s stability, safeguarding its future, and ensuring continued progression both on and off the pitch.

“Football is a results-driven