Beckenham held

Kent Premier Division

BECKENHAM dropped two vital points in their quest for promotion against Hythe Town, writes Ian Muir.

Despite having nearly all the possession Beckenham could not turn the advantage into goals.

Expectations were high when, inside the first minute, Beckenham had two clear-cut chances but from then on Hythe put 10 men behind the ball and it was clear that the visitors had come to Eden Park Avenue without an attacking strategy.

Town were quick to get the passing going but did not have much time on the ball as Hythe had crowded the middle out.

Paul Vines produced a superb shot from the edge of the area but found the keeper in fine form.

It was hard to keep track of Beckenham's chances as they mounted attack after attack.

A goal line scramble saw Asher Hudson just get a touch to the ball before it was smothered by the keeper.

Hythe were content to sit back and their only goal attempts were from long rangers which were high and wide.

A series of clumsy challenges by the visitors produced three yellow cards.

Beckenham continued to pour forward and as half time approached Ryan Martin was clear through only to be hacked down on the edge of the area.

From the resultant free kick Town's Junior Kadi skimmed the post.

It would surely only be a question of time before Beckenham would produce a goal in probably the most one-sided first half witnessed at Eden Park this season.

Within a minute of the restart Town should have gone ahead when Hudson tried an overhead kick but was left flattened on the ground, his reaction cost him a yellow card for dissent.

It was Ellis Green on the other flank who had the next chance firing just over after running on to a Jake Daniels' pass.

Peter Adeniyi then ran through from inside his half only to be pulled down again on the edge of the area but kadi once again blasted his free-kick just wide.

Town continued to apply constant pressure with another chance falling to Errison Ahwan who's powerful header from a Martin corner was blocked on the line.

Vines was forced to shoot from range as space inside the box was virtually non-existent.

With 20 minutes remaining Town to went three at the back then five minutes later forward Carlton Price came on to make it five up front - this tactic only forced the visitors back further and in injury time Tony Sinclair rattled the cross bar with a header.

In the dying seconds with all Town's players up field Hythe broke away in their first real chance and had a shot that hit the post.

The final whistle brought the curtain down on the only scoreless Premier Division match at Eden Park Avenue this season.

Beckenham now face a run of 5 away games starting with Sevenoaks on 21st march followed by Maidstone on the 25th.

MATCH FACTS: BECKENHAM TOWN: Tolfrey; Ahwan; Sinclair; Hudson; Daniels; Kadi; Adeniyi; Rose; Martin; Green; Vines.

SUBS: Kyezu; Price; Meeko; Cheeseman; Lodge.