Southern Counties East League round-up: Chris Alhassan scores first-half hat-trick as Snodland put seven past bottom side Hythe

Hythe Town were hit for seven on a bruising day for the Southern Counties East Premier Division strugglers.

The league’s bottom side are eight points from safety following a 7-2 defeat away to a Snodland Town side whose win moved them into the play-off places.

Chris Alhassan scored a hat-trick - including two penalties - while Steadman Callender struck for the Cannons as the first half ended 3-1.

Nathaniel Olawole, a Charlie Sheringham double and Vance Bola’s strike extended the hosts’ advantage before a late consolation from Kian Scott.

Leaders Whitstable’s run of seven successive league victories ended after being held to a 1-1 draw by Phoenix Sports.

Hosts Town trailed to a Will Efambe goal on the hour mark, with Joe Healy levelling five minutes later.

Second-placed Larkfield & New Hythe fell 11 points behind Whitstable after losing 3-2 to Corinthian.

Kesna Clarke gave the Larks a half-time lead but Jake Williams and a Tom Mitcham double turned the game on its head before Tunde Aderonmu’s injury-time reply.

Faversham Strike Force swapped places with Chislehurst Glebe just outside the relegation zone after inflicting a 5-1 defeat on their fellow strugglers.

Ali Wren scored twice, with Mefose Esumobi, Marshall Wratten and Josh Oliver also on target.

Tunbridge Wells scored a last-minute winner in a 3-2 success at second-bottom Stansfeld.

Trailing at the break to a Glen Bain goal, Regan Corke and Muiz Alaka scored for Wells inside six minutes of the restart.

Macey Malyon made it 2-2 but Christian Lawal won it at the death for the visitors.

Two late goals sent Punjab United through to the Kent Senior Trophy semi-finals.

Billy Lewins’ early strike looked set to be enough for Bearsted but Roman Campbell levelled in the 86th