Whitehawk 1 Hythe Town 0 Isthmian South East play-off final match report: Battling Cannons pipped to promotion

A season to remember for Hythe ended in Isthmian South East play-off final defeat at Whitehawk.

The Cannons gave everything at the Enclosed Ground but were edged by Charlie Harris’ goal shortly before half-time.

What a campaign it’s been, though, for the Cannons, who’ve upset the odds time and time again to reach the play-offs, winning 14 of their final 19 league games and finishing with the best defence in the division.

Underdogs Hythe made one change to the side who won on penalties in the semi-finals at Ramsgate, with Jarred Trespaderne replacing the injured Marvin Hamilton in midfield.

There was a place on the bench for 38-year-old Nathan Elder, a player well known in these parts from his Brighton days, and a man Cannons boss Steve Watt knows will always help him out when he can even though he’s pretty much retired these days.

With extra-time taking it out of the Cannons on Tuesday, they could have done with defending the Hawks’ notorious slope in the first half while the night was still young.

The hosts, however, won the toss and Hythe knew what was coming.

True, it gave Hythe a chance to try to build a lead going downhill in the first half but Whitehawk know how to play their pitch.

Lex Allan won multiple flick-ons from Steve Phillips goal-kicks but a tired Hythe side couldn’t get anything going in attack.

Indeed, their only effort on goal in the first half was a 30-yard free-kick from Frannie Collin that was comfortably held by Luke Glover.

Allan also had the beating of Hawks targetman Rob O’Toole when the home side went long in what was still a tight game.

But the big moments in the first half belonged to Whitehawk and they eventually took the lead shortly before half-time.

O’Toole and Charlie Lambert missed