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Hythe manager Sam Denly reacts to 2-0 FA Cup defeat against Tonbridge Angels

09:07, 09 September 2018

updated: 09:28, 09 September 2018

Disappointed Hythe boss Sam Denly had no qualms with the result after his side were knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Visitors Tonbridge produced what Denly described as a "professional" performance to win 2-0 in the first qualifying round at Reachfields.

"The best team won," said Denly. "I think we might have gifted them a couple of goals but over the course of the game we didn't create enough or look good enough going forward.

"It was a good, disciplined performance from Tonbridge. We went with two players up top, we wanted to have a go and at 1-0 we were in the game still.

Hythe's Aziz Lyoubi clears his lines against Tonbridge on Saturday. Picture: Paul Amos
Hythe's Aziz Lyoubi clears his lines against Tonbridge on Saturday. Picture: Paul Amos

"But I don't think we had enough conviction in our play going forward, we got into good areas but our final ball was poor and it was one of those days. I think we'd still be playing until eight o'clock and not score - and that's the harsh truth.

"We've been dangerous going forward and created lot of opportunities this season but we just didn't create enough."

Tonbridge have conceded just one goal in six league games to climb to the top of the Bostik Premier.

They continued that form into the FA Cup tie and were always on the front foot against Hythe.

"It's a pretty good stat and on that performance you can see why," reflected Denly. "It tells you they're going to be good at the back and they were.

"Where we weren't good on the ball in the first half, that was probably because they were hunting in packs and rushing us.

"We weren't doing the same. The ball was changing hands too quickly once we got it and they were working harder to get it back than we were.

"You want to get a bit of luck with the draws which we probably didn't because Tonbridge are flying.

"I think we could hold our own in the league above so it wasn't a fixture that was impossible to get a result in.

"We had to be at our best, we couldn't carry any passengers but unfortunately there were too many mediocre performances."

Click here to read Tonbridge manager Steve McKimm's reaction to the game

Click here to read the match report

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