Ramsgate are celebrating after winning the Isthmian South East title.

They got the victory they required at relegated Hythe to secure the club’s first league championship since 2006.

TJ Jadama opened the scoring with an early goal, defender Jay Leader added the second after half-time, Alfie Paxman made it three and skipper Joe Taylor wrapped up the win.

After finishing runners-up and missing out in the play-off semi-finals for two years running, the Thanet club are champions with a couple of games to spare.

Hundreds of Ramsgate fans followed their team for Reachfields anticipating a title party.

And they soon had a goal to celebrate with Ben Smith’s side taking the lead in just the third minute.

Benny Bioletti was the provider down the right, squaring to Jadama, who stroked the ball into the bottom corner.

Former Cannons boss Nick Davis had spoken about staying in the game for as long as possible, before his departure was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

And with caretaker boss Martin Chandler no doubt saying something similar in his team-talk, you feared for the Cannons after falling behind so early.

Ramsgate dominated possession for a spell after the goal, popping the ball about patiently at the back and building further attacks.

They threatened again when Lee Martin pinched possession high up the pitch and fed Jadama but this time he dragged his shot wide, while Leader sent a free header wide after meeting a Roarie Deacon corner.

Hythe produced a spirited response, however, and grew into the game.

They had a big chance to level when the lively Anthony Adesite worked the ball to Javaun Splatt, whose strike beat keeper Tom Hadler but not Leader on the goalline.

But Ramsgate doubled their lead early in the second half, Leader the scorer with a thumping header from Deacon’s corner in the 49th minute.

The Cannons had a chance to get back in the game after Splatt was brought down on the edge of the area, although there were suggestions it may have been inside.

Hadler parried Splatt’s well-struck free-kick and Adesite nodded the loose ball over the bar.

Rams skipper Taylor, who will be presented with the league trophy after the Easter Monday derby against Margate, worked Charlie Wealands midway through the second half after turning on the edge of the box.

A third followed for the visitors when Josh Ajayi, just on as a substitute, laid on a back-post tap-in for Paxman with 11 minutes remaining.

Ajayi delivered his second assist in the 89th minute, setting up Taylor, who slotted his 48th goal of another brilliant season for the striker.

Hythe Town: Wealands, Procopi, Taggart, Etumnu, Addotey, Ajayi (Rowland 84mins), Adesite (Ogboe 73mins), Splatt, Dent (Elito 53mins), Brown, Agbebi. Subs not used: Heath, Shah Abed.

Ramsgate: Hadler (Newcombe 90mins), Deacon (Oluwatimilehin 80mins), Ellul (Barnes 54mins), Leader, Clifford, Munday, Martin, Bioletti (Ajayi 76mins), Jadama, Paxman (Gard 86mins), Taylor. Subs not used: None.

Referee: Rhys Jeffery.

Attendance: 1,226.