27thoct03

Bromley 0-1 Ashford Town
John Ullman Cup - Under 18s - Second Round
Monday 27 October 2003
by Stephen McCartney www.kentishfootball.co.uk

Tom Poyner's strike four minutes into the second half proved to be the decisive goal in Monday night's John Ullman Cup second round tie at the Clive Christian Stadium in Hayes Lane.

Poyner's twenty-five yard shot from the right hand side of Bromley's penalty area beat Bromley goalkeeper Dean Cairns inside his near post, in what was the visitors first shot of the game.

Had Bromley taken their many chances then Derek Parnham's side would have progressed further in the competition.

Edwin Mante and Danny Pearce are players who could both make the grade at Bromley, and both players went close in the opening nine minutes.  The latter seeing his free kick saved by Ashford goalkeeper James Coleman from the left
hand side.

Coleman comfortably saved another free kick, this time from Danny Anderson before Mante struck a left footed shot over the crossbar from twelve yards as another Bromley chance went begging.

Jamie Leggett cut inside a visiting defender after 35 minutes before his shot flashed wide of the left upright before Mante delivered a floated free kick which narrowly evaded Donalee Campbell and then Alan Owens who slid in at the far post.

Whatever was said by Ashford manager Martin Larkin inside their dressing room during the break had the desired effect as they scored what turned out to be the winning goal four minutes into the second half.

The visiting side were intent in keeping their single goal lead intact and had most of their players behind the ball, denying the home side any clear cut chances for long periods.

Ashford's second chance fell to Harry Hrehorow whose shot from thirty yards ballooned over the crossbar with nineteen minutes left on the clock before half-time substitute Josh Newman drilled a low shot well wide of the left post six minutes later.

Sandwiched between these Ashford chances fell to Nick Letham and Mante who both struck efforts over.

Bromley substitute Jack Hicks missed a golden opportunity to equalise seven minutes remaining when his low shot agonisingly went the wrong side of the right upright.

Bromley: Dean Cairns, Elliot Payne, Peter Wilcox, Nick Letham, John Butler, Donalee Campbell (Junior Olatunde 85), Alan Owens (Sulyman Meer 63), Danny Pearce (Capt) (Jack Hicks 53), Danny Anderson, Edwin Mante, Jamie Leggett.
Subs:  Tom Ponton, Michael Sibley.

Ashford Town: James Coleman, Luke Walder (Josh Newman HT), Bryn Williams, Darren Moody, George Walker, Tom Poyner, Harry Hrehorow, Tom Dawes (Jimmy Adams 73), Darren Eke, Albie Barton.  Subs:  James Standen.