10 October 2022

SCEFL Challenge Cup 1st round

 

SC Thamesmead               1          Gonnella pen 90

Erith and Belvedere          1          Tijani 13

(Thamesmead win 5-4 on penalties)

 

NO DOUBLE FOR DERES

 

The last time Erith & Belvedere won the Kent League title, in 2012-13, they competed a memorable Kent League double by winning what is now the SCEFL Challenge Cup.  Even if they stay atop the league this season, there’ll be no such double as they went out on penalties to a team from the division below. 

 

Thamesmead’s win, albeit against a side featuring three players making their debuts and another with just one sub appearance last season, was well deserved and came from hard work and endeavour in the second half in particular, and a set of nerveless penalties against probably the best keeper in the league.

 

Just two days after the 6-1 beating of Kennington, assistant manager Andy Constable rested a few players and introduced Rashid Tijani, who had produced outstanding performances in the FA Youth Cup run, and Bradley Russell in the starting line-up, and substitutes Banji Dauda, who came on at Rusthall last season, and George Button.  Rory Ward and George Purcell made their first starts after 18 sub appearances between them.

 

Purcell had the first chance with a free-kick over the bar in the 12th minute, but just a minute later Nathan Palmer’s centre from the right was met expertly by Tijani for a debut goal.  Ben Wilson and Tijani again sent chances into the knot of Deres supporters behind the goal, and the half ended evenly with just the one goal in it.

 

Thamesmead became ever bolder as the second half progressed with no further strikes by the visitors and makeshift defensive duo Smith and Anderson performing well at the back.  Adam Molloy and Jack Miles had to block successive goalbound attempts from Antonio Gonnella and ex-Dere Merrick Simms, and Molloy made a good save from Jesse Sentamu with seven minutes left.  Then in the last minute Thamesmead were awarded a penalty which Gonnella converted coolly after a 5-minute holdup for debates and a red card for Ashley Martin.

 

The penalty took the game to a penalty shootout, which went as follows:

 

Ryan Palmer             scored            Antonio Gonnella     scored            1-1

Ben Wilson               scored            Bethel Gboda            scored            2-2

George Monger        scored            Jesse Sentamu        scored            3-3

Rory Ward                 scored            David Jesus              scored            4-4

George Purcell         saved             Jordan Samuel         scored            4-5

 

Purcell’s shot was too close to the keeper’s right while Samuel hit the roof of the net.  It was disappointing but you can’t complain when the opposition score 6 penalties out of 6.  Deres have bigger fish to fry in the league, while Thamesmead visit Lewisham Borough in the next round.

 

THAMESMEAD: Aaron Cathrew; Amari Kedpo, Ryan Solan, Antonio Gonnella, Aidan Smith, Jordan Anderson, Abdou Jobe, Bethel Gboda, Jesse Sentamu, Max Williams, Harry Main.

DERES: Adam Molloy; Bradley Russell, Ben Wilson, George Monger, Jack Miles, Reece Barrett, Ryan Palmer, Rory Ward, George Purcell, Nathan Palmer (Banji Dauda 72), Rashid Tijani (George Button 59).