Ashford Town 0-5 Bromley - Holders Bromley to stage Kent Senior Cup Final

Ashford Town bowed out of the John Ullman Kent Senior Cup at the penultimate hurdle on Monday night as they were comfortably overrun by a treble-chasing Bromley side, writes Jack Wilson.

Gareth Williams was Bromley’s chief destroyer bagging a hat trick, while Tutu Henriques and Nic McDonnell completed the rout with a goal each in the second half.

As well as challenging for top spots in the Ryman Premier, Bromley have now earned places in the final of both the London and Kent Senior Cup’s.

Although it was little surprise that Ashford were beaten, as John Cumberbatch’s squad was down to its bare bones due to cup rules.

With players registered after 28th February ineligible, players including Nick Wright, Asa Hall, Jason Stuart and Ryan Andrews were all unavailable as Ashford’s boss was forced to name a bench full of reserves.

Graham Porter started in the holding role, Joe Hitchings behind Steve Sodje upfront, and defender Jamie Smith was forced to occupy a right midfield berth in a team which clearly struggled to adapt to their new formation.

And it took just 11 minutes for the Ravens to breach Ashford’s defence through Williams.

The backline was caught napping from Bromley’s early short corner, as the ball was allowed to be whipped into the back post for Kirk Watts who headed to Williams, whose shot nestled into the bottom right corner.

Seven minutes later Bromley doubled their lead again through Williams. This time the striker latched on to a cross from the right to head firmly to the right of Whincup, and he could do little but parry the ball into the net.

Despite starting brightly after the break, it soon became clear that Ashford fans were to endure more of the same in the second half.

Tutu Henriques added the third when he turned in a low cross with a superb back heel that left Whincup no chance, and then Williams completed his hat trick from the spot after he was brought down by Tom Adlington.

Ashford threatened sporadically with goalkeeper Andy Walker saving from Joe Hitchings and Simon Glover, but referee Mick McCoy was the main thorn in the Ashford side as he made a catalogue of catastrophic decisions, typified by Bromley’s fifth goal.

Substitute Nic McDonnell ran on to a ball despite being yards offside, but the assistant referee kept his flag down allowing the Bromley man to finish with his right foot from ten yards.

Ashford Town now face a touch trip to Fleet on Wednesday as their concentration reverts back to the Ryman League.

Holders Bromley won the coin toss and will stage the Kent Senior Cup Final for the second successive season.

They will meet their Ryman Premier League rivals Tonbridge Angels at Hayes Lane on Tuesday, 24^th April (7:45pm).

Ashford Town: Jake Whincup, Tom Adlington, Ken Jarrett-Elliott, Simon Glover, Marc Cumberbatch, Joe Hitchings, Jamie Smith, Gary Clarke, Steve Sodje, Graham Porter, Ian Ross (Lee Ealham 62).
Subs: Dave Bourne, John Douglas, Gary Croxton, Callum Mairs.

Bromley: Andy Walker, Junior Kadi, Sam Wood, Adam Greenway, Francis Duku, Tutu Henriques, Peter Adeniyi, Barry Moore, Garath McCleary (Tony Boot 67), Gareth Williams (Nic McDonnell 80), Kirk Watts (Ashley Reid 74).
Subs: Bobby Bowry, Jerome Sobers.

Attendance: 214