Bromley secured their place in the quarter finals of the Kent Senior Cup with a strong display against a young spirited Whitstable side in an entertaining game at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.

The game got off to a lively start with Bromley looking to press, Brad Goldberg fired over early on before Alex Wall put The Ravens in front on 9 minutes, the big striker hitting an unstoppable half volley from 20 yards past Dean Eason in the visitor’s goal.

After more pressure from the home side it was Wall who doubled the lead on 23 minutes with a fiercely struck free kick from 25 yards out that flew past Eason and grazed the underside of the bar on the way in.

The Oystermen’s first chance fell to Charlie Smith, but his powerful effort was tipped over by Chris Kettings.

Goldberg and Reece Prestedge forced saves from Eason late in the half, before the final chance of the half fell to Whitstable’s Sam Conlon who drive from distance was saved by Kettings.

The second half saw Goldberg miss a header from a good Aaron Tumwa cross before Pierre Joseph-Dubois fired over.

Sam Bewick forced a save from Kettings at the other end before The Ravens made it 3-0 on 53 minutes. Paul Rodgers charged down the right before cutting into the box and sending in the perfect pass for Wall to convert from close range for his hat-trick.

Goldberg had a low drive saved by Eason soon after and Rodgers went close before Prestedge was denied by another good Eason save.

Prestedge was just off target a couple more times before The Oystermen had their best spell of the match, Conlon firing narrowly wide when well placed.

The final goal came on 79 minutes when Goldberg showed very quick feet to create space in the box and dink the ball over Eason for 4-0.

Late on Goldberg, Brendan Kiernan and Prestedge all went close but The Ravens had to settle for the four and booking a home game against Charlton Athletic in the next round.

Bromley now have to wait until the 12^th December for their next match away to Braintree Town in the FA Trophy, hoping that some more players can return from injury and Wall can continue his fine scoring form from tonight.

Whitstable’s new management team will have taken a lot of heart from the display as they look to mount a climb up the Ryman League Division One South table to safety.

 

Bromley: Kettings, Udoji, Tumwa, Swaine (Carter 84), Chorley, Dubois, Prestedge, Minshull, Rodgers (Kiernan 81), Wall (Anderson 70), Goldberg.

Subs Not Used: Emmanuel, Dewer-Douglas.

Whitstable: Eason, Edwards, Skinner, Algar, Punton, Sayer, Conlon, Bewick, Smith (George 80), Hurcomb (Oknou 54), T Jackson.

Subs Not Used: I Jackson, Brooks, Kennett.

Goals: Bromley – Wall 9, 23, 53mins, Goldberg 79mins.

HT 2-0 FT 4-0

Ref: Mr S Finnegan