This pulsating cup tie between local rivals in front of over 4,000 had everything you would want from the old competition.

Played in driving rain on a very heavy pitch between two attacking sides with seven goals and plenty of incidents, it was Tony Burman’s Conference Premier side who eventually came out on top.

The game started with Bromley flying and they were in front inside a minute when Moses Ademola powered into the box and crossed for Louis Dennis to convert at the far post.

Both sides continued to look to attack, but as time went on Dartford began to dominate and push The Ravens back for long spells.

Max Cornhill had a header saved by Seb Brown and Brown was on hand to deny The Darts soon after when he raced from his box to make a good clearance under pressure.

The Ravens defence dug in and cleared their lines under intense pressure several times, but Bromley did create chances on the break with Dennis forcing a save from Jason Brown and Ali Fuseini firing over after great work from Ademola and Dennis.

Pierre Joseph-Dubois headed over from a corner and Ademola had a shot cleared by Nathan Collier as Bromley finished the half in more positive fashion.

The second half saw the visitors equalise almost straight away when Danny Harris headed home a corner at the near post.

The Darts continued to press and went in front on 57 minutes when Hayes powered his shot past Brown from another cross from the left.

Bromley rallied again though and drew level on 58 minutes when Ademola and Dubois put Brown under pressure with the ball at his feet and Ademola managed to win the ball and beat two defenders on the line to make it 2-2.

After a lengthy delay due to smoke bombs being thrown on the pitch, things continued in the same vein.

Once again The Ravens inability to defend crosses cost them as Elliott Bradbrook headed home a corner through a crowded area with Brown stranded.

The game was still open though and Bromley managed to draw level again on 73 minutes when Danny Waldren powerfully headed home a Dennis corner from ten yards out.

Dartford battled right back and they soon went in front again on 81 minutes when Tom Bradbrook headed in a deep cross from Danny Harris with the home defence and keeper static.

Bromley threw everything at it late on, but the closest they came was when Damien Scannell’s cross shot was just missed by Ademola and gathered by Brown.

In the end Dartford were just too good for Bromley with superior delivery and sharpness in front of goal giving an indication to Mark Goldberg on what is required in the division above.

 

Bromley: Brown, Holland, Anderson, Fuseini (Pinnock 86mins), McNaughton, Swaine, Dubois (Scannell 78), Waldren, Robertson (Culley 73), Ademola, Dennis.

Subs Not Used: Udoji, Rodgers, Birchall, Prestedge.

Dartford: Brown, T Bradbrook (Crawford 84 7), E Bradbrook, Collier, Harris, Sweeney, McAuley, Hayes (Noble 90), Burns, Bender, Cornhill.

Subs Not Used: Daley, Pugh, Mitchell King, Ibrahim, Boye.

HT 1-0

FT 3-4

Goals: Dennis 1, Ademola 58, Waldren 73mins – Bromley.

Harris 48, Hayes 57, E Bradbrook 65, T Bradbrook 81mins- Dartford

Star Man: Ryan Hayes (Dartford)

Match Rating: 5/5

Referee: Mr S Rushton

Att: 4,105