It was a case of up go the heads as Bromley defeated Dartford in the second round of the DFDS Kent Senior Cup.

All three of Bromley’s goals, as well as Dartford’s strike, were headers in the first half, three of the four from dead ball deliveries. Bromley’s team was made up of players from their Under 21s and younger. Dartford also fielded a youthful team with the majority of their sixteen having come through their academy.

Todd Brand curled an effort over for Dartford, before firing a shot just wide of the near post. However, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock, in the tenth minute, when Dennis Kelmendi delivered a free kick that was headed home by Charlie Paye.

Three minutes later, the Ravens added a second when Paye again rose highest to head home Callum Corbin’s corner.

Ade Yusuff attempted to nutmeg Bromley goalkeeper James Batt but it clipped the inside of his boot and went just wide. However, from the corner, the Darts pulled one back when George Whitefield headed home.

Nathan Paul-Lavaly used his strength to break through but the Darts’ goalkeeper Jacob Marsden thwarted him with an excellent save, then Yusuff again burst clear only for Batt to rush out and spread himself to block.

Yusuff was again thwarted by an excellent Batt save to keep out a well struck half-volley then Gabe Campbell drilled an effort beyond the far post.

Eight minutes before half time, the hosts scored again when Tade Ibrahim scooped it forward and Emmanuel Deh headed home.

Paul-Lavaly shot over after bursting through before he was sent clear by Deh to draw another excellent save by Marsden who stuck out his right boot.

When the players came out for the second half, Dartford took off their two most experienced players, Yusuff and former Bromley favourite Marc-Anthony Okoye having given them the playing time that they needed. However, they still created chances and Campbell fired just over.

Josh Tobin curled wide for the hosts after Callum Corbin created the opening before the Darts again came close when Tyler Christian-Law chipped forward for Campbell to chase but Batt was out quickly and managed to hack it away.

After Corbin had drilled wide, Ashdon Day tried to create another chance for Campbell but Freddie Fletcher reacted quickly to make a great last gasp challenge. 

As the game moved into the latter stages, the hosts looked the more likely to score again. Marsden made a great save from Corbin, and George Evans’ follow up was deflected onto the crossbar. Archie Cassidy’s shot whistled wide then Marsden made another excellent save when Will Gutierrez burst through. It came out to Paul-Lavaly who shot wide.

That was the last chance for either side and it was the Ravens who progressed. However, both sides showed that they have a lot of players with potential who will have benefited from the experience.

Bromley: Batt, Paul-Lavaly, Ibrahim (Cassidy 81), Fletcher, Paye, Cave. Corbin (Gutierrez 88), Tobin, Deh (Mann 72), Kelmendi (Evans 72), Penn (Aris 88).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Paye (10), (13), Deh (37)

Yellow cards: None

Dartford: Marsden, Whitefield, Brand, Okoye (Day 46), Williams, Apat, Kpaka (Pinder 72), Naylor, Yusuff (Husthwaite 46), Campbell, Christian-Law (Mandry 84).

Sub not used: Atkinson.

Goalscorers: Whitefield (19)

Yellow cards: Christian-Law, Apat

Referee: Joe Dann-Pye

Assistants: Peter Conn & Ayden Gillespie

Fourth Official: Gerry Heron

Attendance: TBC

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.