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Bromley put to the sword

Thurrock 3-0 Bromley
FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 14 October 2003
by Stephen McCartney www.kentishfootball.co.uk

Thurrock comfortably sealed their passage into the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 victory over Ryman League Division One South outfit Bromley.

The Essex side host Nationwide Conference neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge in a lucrative clash on Saturday 24 October.

Bromley, missing influential central defenders, Dean Forbes (injured) and Joe Vines (suspended) and biting midfielder Paul Kember, who was forced to sit on the bench, failed to repeat their passionate performance in Saturday's 1-1 draw at their Clive Christian Stadium home.

It took the Essex side only 73 seconds to fire their first shot on goal when Bromley goalkeeper Danny Harwood denied Thurrock hit-man Cliff Akurang.

Dave Collis' squared a free kick into Martyn Lawrence's path and his shot was hit straight at Harwood, before Akurang was denied again by the Bromley shot-stopper after eleven minutes.

Bromley's first chance came after nineteen minutes when Gary Drewett, Bromley's key-man, blasted over the crossbar following good play from Leroy Huggins and Tony Reid.

The home side took the lead after twenty minutes.

Collis' free kick was pushed around the right upright by Harwood.    Collis' flag kick was met by a powerful header by Tresor Kandol, left unmarked, finding the back of the Bromley net.

Former Dagenham & Redbridge goalkeeper, Paul Gothard pulled off the first of three terrific first half saves after 27 minutes.

He flew to his right to push Tony Reid's twenty yard shot around the post.

Harwood saved from Akurang and Kris Lee before Gothard made his second fine save after 34 minutes from Gary Drewett's 25 yard shot, that he clawed narrowly past the left upright.

Thurrock doubled their lead six minutes before the break.  Collis' free kick found Paul Linger and he rolled the ball past an exposed Harwood.

Gothard put behind a deep Colin Luckett cross before Reid headed wide from Luckett's resulting corner.

The first chance of the second half fell to the home side after 61 minutes when Akurang's  high speed run down the left flank gave an shooting opportunity for Jimmy McFarlane, but the Thurrock defender, making his 500th appearance for the club, blazed over.

A high speed run down the left by Akurang saw the prolific striker crash a 30 yard shot against the underside of Bromley's crossbar and substitute Terry Bowes slotted home the rebound to score the Ryman League Premier Division side's third goal after 72 minutes.

Lee flashed a shot wide of the left post before Reid shot over for dejected Bromley before Harwood pulled off saves from Bowes and Akurang.

The plus point from Bromley's trip were the club's supporters who vocally supported their side throughout the game, even when their side were 3-0 down.

Thurrock: Paul Gothard, John Purdie, Mark Goodfellow, Dave Collis, Jimmy McFarlane (Capt) , Paul Linger, Martyn Lawrence (Terry Bowes 63), Steve Heffer, Kris Lee (Lee Allen 86), Tresor Kandol (Gary Howard 86) , Cliff Akurang.  Subs: Jason Broom, John O'Brien

Bromley: Danny Harwood, Steve Potterill, Mark Willy, Danny Smith, Colin Luckett (Capt), Michael Harney, Gary Drewett, Jason McKoy, Tony Reid (Grant Watts 88), Leroy Huggins, David Smith (Adolph Amoako 55).  Subs: Paul Kember, Kwabena Amaning, John Butler.

Referee: Andy Legg
Assistants: Mr R Taylor and Mr B Hartland