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Hythe Town striker Zak Ansah looking to score in a record 10th consecutive game

Zak Ansah will make history if he scores the goal which sends Hythe Town into the play-offs.

Ansah has found the back of the net in nine consecutive games, equalling the record set by Brendon Cass at the start of the 2010/11 season.

Now he has the chance to break that record when the Cannons host Corinthian Casuals on Saturday, looking for the win that would secure a top-five finish.

Hythe striker Zak Ansah Picture: Andy Jones
Hythe striker Zak Ansah Picture: Andy Jones

"I'd love to do that," said Ansah.

"As long as we get the points we need to get in the play-offs, that's the main thing but if I can break the record that would be lovely.

"Especially as Hythe Town have given me a chance to enjoy my football again, I'd love to do that."

Ansah has scored 17 goals in his last 13 games and 19 in total since joining the club in January.

But he revealed he almost quit football after a series of knee injuries halted a promising career in the professional game.

Ansah spent 10 years at Arsenal, playing in the same youth side as Hector Bellerin, before moving on to Charlton and spending time on loan with Plymouth and Newport.

But he said: "But I've torn my cruciate ligament twice in the last couple of years and it set me back quite a bit.

"I tore my meniscus and stopped playing from July to January. I didn't play football at all.

"I was thinking about stopping completely but I was playing with Ryan Palmer on a Sunday, just for fun and he asked if I'd come down to Hythe. I spoke to Clive Cook and we made it happen.

"I was doing rehab on my knee and contemplating whether or not to play again because I wasn't enjoying it. My knee was giving me so much pain. My mind thought I could do things but my body wouldn't let me and it was frustrating.

"But I got my knee right and an opportunity came to play again so I took it.

Zak Ansah scores another goal for Hythe Picture: Paul Amos
Zak Ansah scores another goal for Hythe Picture: Paul Amos

"I just wanted to play football and enjoy it again. I haven't enjoyed it for the last four years because I've not been able to do what I want to do without being in pain.

"I was trying to enjoy the game pain-free and see if my knee would hold up - which it has."

Fit-again Ansah has scored the bulk of the goals which have lifted Hythe into the play-offs.

He said: "It's always enjoyable when the team's winning and obviously I'm scoring goals.

"The team spirit is great and we've got a never-say-die attitude. There's been games when we've gone a goal down or been pegged back and we always set out to attack the other team and win games.

"We're not going for draws, we're trying to win every game, no matter who we're playing.

"We've played Lewes, Greenwich Borough and Cray Wanderers and beaten them all. We've gone with the same mindset every game - to win."

Hythe were 10 points outside the play-offs when Sam Denly succeeded Cook as manager in January.

Ansah said: "It's a credit to the new gaffer and all the players and staff. Everyone's in it together and it's a great place to be at the moment.

"We don't really care who we play. We're fearless at the moment and we go out to attack in every game. We can beat anyone on our day but we've got to get there first.

"I just take every game as it comes. I believe that if I get a chance I'm going to score but my team-mates are giving me the chances and I'm taking them, which is my job.

"It's important not to get too carried away with things because if we don't get in the play-offs on Saturday, this run is going to mean nothing to me. I might have scored these goals but we haven't got to our end goal.

"I try not to get too excited because it can all be taken away on Saturday."

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