TWO goals from Alex Read stole the show for Tonbridge Angels as they cruised into the second qualifying round of the FA Cup at Reachfields Stadium.
The visitors started with an attacking mindset and winger Adem Ramadan went close to scoring after cutting through the Hythe defence inside the first minute.
Ramadan was soon involved again and he provided Read with an excellent cross that the striker bundled into the net after seven minutes.
The Angels enjoyed a multitude of chances and set-pieces, but Hythe’s keeper George Kamarasi pulled off some commanding saves to keep the margin slim.
The Cannons made a special effort to keep Joe Turner out of the game but that allowed Ramadan to capitalise on the lack of bodies on the other flank, and he made another good run that saw him come close again in the 24th minute.
Angels keeper Jonny Henly was called into action once during the first half but it was otherwise uneventful as the visitors went in at half-time with their slender lead intact.
Read came close just three minutes into the second half when a fine cross from Tommy Whitnell found him in the box but he was unable to head it home.
The Angels had a good chance just before the hour-mark with a free kick just outside of the box, but it was cleared by an unflinching Hythe wall.
Despite having three defenders glued to him whenever he saw the ball, Turner managed to get on the end of some excellent through-balls from Tom Parkinson, Jack Parter and Whitnell.
Whitnell went off in the 75th minute after picking up a knock to his knee, but his replacement Liam King made an instant impact.
He provided a deft cross that was met by Read and he put the Angels 2-0 up in the 81st minute after slotting it into the bottom left corner.
When Hythe threatened an attack, the Tonbridge defence remained as solid as they have been all season to see the game out.
Angels manager Steve McKimm said: “We had to be on our game today. It’s all about making it through and we made it.
“In the last five [minutes] they threw everything at us, but we’d done our homework on them and we came away with the win as a result.”
The Angels, who are on top of the Bostik League Premier, return to league action with a visit to Brightlightsea Regent on Saturday (September 15, kick-off 3pm).
PICTURE: DOUBLE TROUBLE: Alex Read scores the first of his two goals PHOTO: David Couldridge
Bring me your arrows
Charismatic darts pro Wayne Mardle, aka Hawaii 501, is coming to the Tonbridge Angels Marquee for an exhibition evening on Friday September 21 from 6.30pm.
Tickets are available for £15 plus booking fee from eventbrite.co.uk in advance or £20 on the door. For £30 you can meet Wayne from 5.30pm.
