First Team Vs Tunbridge Wells FC (Kent Senior Trophy)

Erith & Belvedere 3-2 Tunbridge Wells

WRITTEN BY MARK DOIG
WEDNESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2022 22:00

Tunde Aderonmu claimed a first half hat-trick as Erith and Belvedere progressed in the Kent Senior Trophy at the expense of Tunbridge Wells.

Adam Molloy saved well from Trevor McCreadie in the opening exchanges, but it was the hosts who went ahead in the fourth minute. Bradley Ryan’s low cross was diverted into the path of Aderonmu, and he made no mistake from the edge of the penalty area.

Aderonmu came close to a second, but Frankie Griffin dashed across to make a great block before the visitors created an opportunity when McCreadie shot wide from Rhys Bartlett’s low cross.

Another chance came and went for the hosts when Aderonmu knocked a Ryan cross back to George Purcell, but he hooked over, then Nathan Palmer cut in and curled wide of the far post.

Jacob Feasey had a shot blocked wide before they equalised. Robbie Bissett met Bartlett’s corner, and it appeared to come off an Erith defender before crossing the line.

Two goals in three minutes soon after put the Deres firmly in the driving seat. Palmer did superbly to bring down a long ball before crossing for Purcell. He knocked it back and Aderonmu replicated his earlier finish.

Palmer was also the architect of the third goal. He intercepted a clearance from goalkeeper Jason Tibble and sent in a diagonal cross. Aderonmu went in bravely and bundled it home.

It might have been four before the break when Fraser Walker found Aderonmu and his low cross hit Purcell and floated inches wide of the post with Tibble well beaten.

After the interval, Molloy thwarted Jack Palmby when he stuck his right boot out to block his shot.

Just after the hour mark, Palmby reduced the arrears. Molloy was deemed not to have been in control of the ball, Palmby nicked it away and rolled it into the empty net.

Bartlett lost a chance to level by trying to work it onto his right foot and Molloy had to get down well to save Palmby’s long range follow-up effort.

On the break, Erith might have put the tie to bed when Rob Strachan’s header found substitute Michael Hagan. He played in Palmer who opened his body before just missing as he attempted to pass it inside the far post.

Griffin broke through and fired over for Wells but as they continued to search for an equaliser, they might have been picked off on the break. Hagan fired over at the near post after Tyrell Richardson-Brown flicked it on then a Jerome Wade effort flew wide with Tibble beaten.

Three additional minutes were played but Tunbridge Wells were unable to create another opening and it was Erith and Belvedere who progressed to the quarter final.

Erith and Belvedere: Molloy, Walker, R. Palmer, Wade, Chambers, Strachan, Ryan (Hagan 66), Monger, Aderonmu (Richardson-Brown 57), Purcell (Lear 66), N. Palmer.

Unused subs: Wilson, Lugboso.

Goal scorers: Aderonmu (4), (37), (39)

Yellow cards: Chambers, Monger

Tunbridge Wells: Tibble, Griffin, Bissett, Wolvey, Smith, Pring, Astle, Palmby, McCreadie (Nurden 46), Feasey (Bradley 75), Bartlett.

Sub not used: Walder, Phillips, Turnball.

Goal scorers: Bissett (31), Palmby (63)

Yellow cards: Feasey

Referee: Zack Moules

Assistants: Adam Clayton and Raymond Snell

Attendance: 74