Bridon Ropes 0 Tunbridge Wells 1

Match 34/18/1627 - Wednesday, 19th September 2018 - FA Vase 2QR Replay

Bridon Ropes (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells (1) 1 Powell 45+1
Attendance: 101

Admission: £3
Programme: Sold Out
Mileage: 80/1,898

Over the course of 210 minutes, Bridon Ropes might justifiably claim that they did enough to progress in the FA Vase at the expense of their senior visitors Tunbridge Wells having reportedly had the better of Saturday’s encounter at Culverden. But, this was a night when the Wells dug in, defended resiliently and clung on to their lead acquired in first half time-added.

From the outset of this replay on a windy evening, Bridon Ropes were good going forward, it was easy to see how they had managed 26 goals already this season in SCEFL1. The brothers, Cameron and Tyler Anderson-Parr, were an exciting watch, even if supporting the opposition and John Woodcock stood over each and every set-piece producing some tempting deliveries into the box.

What the south London-based team didn’t have was the quality player on show, Tunbridge Wells’ Jake Beecroft, who was at the heart of everything positive about his team’s performance.

The opening chances of the game fell to Tunbridge Wells with Josh Biddlecombe firing over and the ever-willing Danny Powell having his shot comfortably saved by Bridon’s goalkeeper Levi Rutherford.

Bridon Ropes had chances, the best of which saw Cameron Hall needing to make a smart save at the feet of Tyler Anderson-Parr who had weaved his way into the penalty area.

Tunbridge Wells had the ball in the net after 32 minutes when Drew Crush hooked the ball in from a free kick but a linesman’s flag ruled it out.

But it was the Wells who got their noses in front in first half time-added when a perfectly judged through ball from Beecroft saw Powell outpace a defender and produce a clinical finish into the bottom corner.

After securing a second half equaliser on Saturday there was no way that the Ropes were going to lie down and they, in turn, also had the ball in the net just prior the hour mark but this time the goal was chalked off for handball.

The game took the shape of Bridon Ropes searching for an equaliser but not really forcing Cameron Hall into a save of note, with the Wells attempting to catch the home side on the break. Biddlecombe shot narrowly wide and his shot-cum-cross needed safe hands at the far post from Rutherford.

Whilst no wishing the lad injury, no one of a Tunbridge Wells persuasion were sad to see Tyler Anderson-Parr limp out of the game after 70 minutes, such was the impression he had made. His replacement was a man mountain, Mojeed Adisa and he was guilty of wasting a glorious chance as he fired over after being set up by Woodcock.

The Wells needed all the resilience they could muster to ease their way through the final 10 minutes with a goal line clearance the closest Bridon came to forcing extra time.

Tunbridge Wells go on to meet AFC Uckfield, the FA Cup’s surprise package at Culverden in the next round.