Chatham Town edged into the last four of the DFDS Kent Senior Cup but needed a shoot-out triumph to get past the ever improving Corinthian on a bitterly cold Bauvill night.

After an even game ended 1-1 – Callum Peck scoring for Chatham whilst Brandon Davey replied for Corinthian – the home side edged through 5-3 on penalties with keeper Nathan Harvey the hero as he saved the eighth penalty from Oscar Housego to set sub Dan Bradshaw up with the chance to take the Chats into the last four, and it was a chance that Bradshaw was never going to miss.

The two goals were really the first real chances of the game – Peck racing onto a great through ball to round keeper Dan Comer to score, whilst Harvey didn’t get enough on a corner from the right allowing Davey the space and room to loop a header over the stranded keeper to level the scores.

The home side pressed to regain their lead – Seidou Sanogo fired over, Eman Oloyede was wide with a header before forcing Comer into a fine block with a shot through a crowd of players.

It was Sanogo who had the best chance however in the stroke of the break as his free header from an Ike Orji cross went wide.

The second half began with the visitors seemingly intent on holding onto what they had as Harry Lashley, Sam Fitzgerald and James Billings held the back line together magnificently, frustrating the home side on a regular basis.

The introduction of Bradshaw helped the home side but the big number nine cut a frustrated figure as he couldn’t get enough on a tantalising cross to trouble the Corinthian goal and then had a snap shot whistle just the wrong side of the post.

As the game headed towards the ninety minute mark, the visitors looked more like the winners. Housego was denied three times in the closing moments – he shot straight at Harvey after good work from Jack Beerling, Harvey produced the save of the night to keep out a low angled drive before the keeper was brave at the Corinthian skipper’s feet.

The game was decided by spot kicks and after seven kicks, it looked like the night could be extended – Saraiva, Danny Thompson, Prince Domafriyie and Oloyede netting for the Chats with Billings, Josh Leach and Harry Sargeant replying for the visitors.

Up stepped Housego and Harvey pulled off a great block leaving Bradshaw the opportunity to send the Chats through which he duly did sending Comer the wrong way.

Chatham move on and now host either Ebbsfleet United or Welling United in the last four, whilst for their current main rivals in the Isthmian South East table – Ramsgate – will face neighbours and local rivals Margate in the last four if they get past the Angels from Tonbridge with the reward being a Finals place at Priestfield o Wednesday May 3 rd ; the remaining Quarter Finals being scheduled for March 14th.

CHATHAM TOWN – Harvey, Orji, Robins (Bradshaw), Butler (Domafriyie) Beckwith, Oloyede, Saraiva, Taylor, Peck, Sotoyinbo (Thompson).

Subs not used – Cooper, Bodkin.

CORINTHIAN – Comer, Beerling, Leach, Lashley (Sargeant), Billings, Fitzgerald, James, Davey, Godfrey (Daniel), Housego, Bewick.

Subs not used – Box, Futa.

REFEREE – Mr Smith

Attendance: 136