Beckenham Town 1 Leatherhead 2

Wednesday 01st February 2006

Beckenham were minutes away from making progress to the quarter finals of the Surrey Senior Cup but a cruel twist of fate saw their Ryman League opponents snatch victory in the 91st and 96th minute, writes Ian Muir.

The match started at a considerable pace with the visitors taking up residence in Beckenham Town’s half.

During the ensuing barrage Leatherhead managed to scrape the crossbar with a fierce strike.

It would be at least ten minutes before Beckenham came up for air and started to turn the tide closing the opponents down and getting forward down both flanks.

It appeared as if the visitors had done their homework and were attempting to snuff-out any advantages by Beckenham’s midfield trio of Kadi, Rose and Adeniyi. The contest in the centre at times was ferrousios and neither side was allowed any time on the ball.

Leatherhead were quick to pounce on any stray ball and mounted a series of counter attacks pushing at least six players forward at one time stretching Beckenham Town’s defence.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between as both sides were blocking and tackling well. Martin and Green managed to get behind the Leatherhead defence only to be hustled off the ball. Rose and Kadi combined well in the centre creating openings.

The second period started with Beckenham looking the better of the two sides holding the ball up well and finding more space, Rose had started to push forward into almost a centre forwards role and it was after 70 minutes that Green and Cheeseman were replaced by both Morris and Vines who moved into the centre and immediately started to cause problem for Leatherhead with their presence.

Beckenham were now growing in confidence and ball wizard Martin somehow managed to beat four players in a small area only to be knocked down by a clumsy challenge that earned a booking.

Moments later Ahwan came forward combining well with Kadi and cut open the visitors rear guard with an inch perfect ball into the path of Rose who burst through to slot home with only ten minutes to go.

A crunching tackle on Morris saw him take no further part in the contest, his replacement was midfielder Stewart. With time running out the visitors pushed forward on both flanks in an attempt to drag Town out of position.

However, a minute into injury time disaster struck as Leatherhead drew level from with a simple tap-in at the far post.

Just five minutes later Beckenham lost the ball in the centre and a delicate pass saw a visitors forward scampering away and had the simple task of putting the ball beyond Tolfrey, despite appeals for offside the goal was allowed to stand.

Beckenham have played some of their best football in this competition with victories over Merstham and Crystal Palace reserves, tonight’s contribution was no exception as they battled hard but could not find the resources to add to their slim one goal lead.

Consolation can be found in the knowledge that the performance tonight was an improvement on Saturday’s 2-0 Kentish Observer League defeat at Whitstable Town.

Beckenham Town: Rob Tolfrey, Aliy Kyezu, Errison Ahwan, Asher Hudson, Jake Daniels, Junior Kadi, Gavin Rose, Peter Adeniyi, Ellis Green. Subs: Jay Roberts, Paul Vines, Ohran Stewart, Dean Lodge