Tunbridge Wells 2 Cray Valley PM 1

Match 98/17/1548 - Tuesday, 6th March 2018 - SCEFL League Cup QF

Tunbridge Wells (1) 2 Pilbeam 6, 90+3
Cray Valley PM (1) 1 Flack 22
Attendance: 137

Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 36/6,897

As the two previous quarter-finals of this competition had produced bone-numbing extra time on freezing cold evenings, extra time was something of a fait accompli as we entered three minutes of time added. For much of the second half Cray Valley had looked the likely winners, but a punt forward found a dallying full back and a goalkeeper unsure what his defender was about to do. Jon Pilbeam capitalised on the uncertainly, got between the two and slotted home with virtually the last kick of the match. It was nowhere near as cold as at Erith or Chatham, but the avoidance of those extra 30 minutes was still welcomed as was Tunbridge Wells’ place in the semi-finals.

Tunbridge Wells went ahead with the first real opportunity of the game in the sixth minute. A quick throw from Alfie Hall gave Tom Davey the time to deliver an inch perfect cross for Pilbeam to score with a far post header.

Cray Valley responded and took the game to the Wells and were fully deserving of their equaliser on 23 minutes. A cross into the box from Joe N’Guessan was headed clear by Jack Harris but only to Ryan Flack whose first touch lifted the ball to volley over the head of Cameron Hall.

Cray Valley enjoyed a dominant period with Hall injuring himself after a brave save at the feet of Callum Willock followed by some quick feet from substitute Enoch Adjei but a shot that was dragged wide.

It was the Wells though that finished the half in the ascendancy as the Cray goalkeeper, Andy Walker saved from Josh Biddlecombe and superbly from Jared Trespaderne from close range at the far post.

Goalkeeper Hall took the honours as the Wells fought a second half rearguard action coupled with some stout defending. Hall denied Adjei and Denzel Gayle before producing a double save to thwart both Gayle and Willock before a third effort was blasted over.

Extra time beckoned before Pilbeam’s intervention and, whilst Cray Valley will bemoan their wasted opportunities, the Wells resilience was to be admired and Cameron Hall, take a bow young man.