ASHFORD TOWN 1 BROMLEY 1 – FA CUP First Qualifying Rd. 13/09/03

Macca’s new style ‘solid and robust’ Bromley were exactly that in this well contested and entertaining cup tie. Despite getting caught on 6 mins, the Ravens came back into the game showing real determination and easily deserved a replay.

After a fairly level start, Ashford took the lead when a ball in from the left caught the defence flat and despite Harwood making two good stops Tucker smashed the ball in from close range to put the Kent countryside team one up. Bromley showed resolve though and unlike the last two performances they dug in after the set back and got back in the game. On 14 mins Bromley broke at pace from defending a corner. Reid took the ball to the edge of the Ashford box before laying it off to Drewett whose attempted chip was followed in by Huggins and he headed it home. Referee Briffitt managed to upset both sets of fans throughout the game. Notably in the first half he let many late tackles go and didn’t award Ashford a clear free kick before levelling his error up by not giving a clear penalty to Bromley when Huggins was pulled to the ground in the box! 1-1 was about fair at the break.

For a long period of the second half the Ravens had to defend their box and look to attack on the break, which they did very well and all the back four deserve praise. On the midway point of the half Harwood was lucky not to be sent off for bringing down an Ashford striker after running out of his box to the corner flag. Danny only got a yellow card and once again Mr Briffitt levelled it up by not sending off Westwood after his awful scything foul on Reid as he was running towards goal. The game got quite nasty, nut never really boiled over and the Ravens looked stronger going into the last 10 mins. Amoako came on and gave us another edge up front. He nearly made the vital impact when his header from a Potterill cross was cleared from under the bar by O’Leary, with one or two players appealing it had gone in. So we do it all again on Tuesday at the Nest and both sides will fancy their chances.

Quote for the game: ‘I’ll take a replay right now.’

Team: Harwood, Potterill, Luckett, Vines, Willy, Forbes, Smith Snr, McKoy, Drewett, Reid, Huggins.

Subs: Hunt, Amoako, Butler, Nolan, Goodwin.