Snodland Town are through to the next round of the Kent Senior Trophy but Rochester United made them work hard to begin with but in the end it was quite emphatic, this followed last week’s mauling of Lydd.

This game was completely different from the League game earlier in the season when it was nil nil so expectations weren’t high on many goals but this is cup football.

The game started with Rochester playing some good football & in the second minute they could have opened the scoring when Levi Gold 15 yards out received the ball but his shot was saved by Shaun Wicks, then two minutes later Harley Gorse on the right wing received the ball & went into the area before his low cross into the area was neatly turned in by Regan Corke from 6 yards.

Six minutes later Snodland nearly doubled their lead when a long ball out to the left to Harry Bradford who superbly brought the ball down & his shot from 15 yards saw Jamie Kelly push it around the post.

In the 12th minute Hicham Azhazzan’s free kick into the area found Lucas Payne but his side foot effort was saved by Wicks. Ten minutes later Sam Smith saw his 30 yard free kick go just past the post.

In the 30th minute Rochester should have scored when Azhazzan’s shot was parried out by Wicks but straight to Harrison Hume but from 5 yards his shot was cleared off the line. Rochester continued to have a lot of possession but without causing any problems & also dogged defending by Snodland.

In the 42nd minute Snodland did double their lead when Bradford on the left wing crossed into the area for Corke who headed in from 10 yards. In the last few minutes Snodland could have scored more when first Bradford on the left saw his 18 yard effort pushed around the post by Kelly then in the next minute it was Josh Froggatt’s turn & his 10 yard shot was tipped onto the post for a corner & from the corner which was half cleared Corke picked up the ball 25 yards out & let fly but Kelly was up for it & pushed it around the post.

Half time arrived & Snodland were maybe a little lucky to be in front as Rochester had dominated possession but goals win you games.

The second half took a while to get going then Rochester had a couple of chances, in the 69th minute Azhazzan in the area saw his blocked by Ryan Cheek & cleared the three minutes later Smith saw his 18 yards effort go just wide.

In the 74th minute Snodland increased their lead when Bradford was put through & he ran into the area unopposed & shot past Kelly.

Everyone in the ground thought game over but in the 74th minute Luis Dos Santos out of nothing shot home from 18 yards.

Snodland to their credit did not worry about this & in the 83rd minute a bad back pass allowed Corke to latch onto it & he went found Kelly & knocked the ball into an empty net for his hat trick then in the next minute the fifth came when a long ball down the right wing saw Corke get to it & he went into the area before passing into the path of Froggatt who side footed it in from 5 yards.

The game ended & Snodland were on a roll & next play AFC Whyleafe in the FA Vase.

SNODLAND:

S.WICKS 2. B.WEBB (68) 3. C.PLUMMER 4. A.COOPER (49) 5. R.CHEEK 6. J.FROGGATT 7. H.GORSE 8. B.DAVISSON (68) 9. B.WALKER 10. R.CORKE 11. H.BRADFORD

SUBS USED: 12. A.HOOPER (49) 14. S.TAIWO (68) 16. C.WEBBER (68)

SUBS NOT USED: 15. R.DENNESS 17. S.SWIFT

BOOKINGS: 9.B.WALKER (58) 16. C.WEBBER (87)

ROCHESTER UNITED:

J.KELLY 2. T.WEBB 3. L.COOK 4. L.PAYNE 5. M.CIANO 6. L.MERCER 7. H.AZHAZZAN 8. L.WILKINS 9. L.GOLD 10. H.HUME (54) 11. S.SMITH (86)

SUBS USED: 14. L.DOS SNTOS (54) 15. H.TAYLOR (86)

SUBS NOT USED: 12. S.MILES 16. J.HARDY

BOOKINGS: 10. H.HUME (53) 4. L.PAYNE ( 90+2)

REFEREE: Mr O.CAIRNEY

ASSISTANTS: Mr. W.ROUGH & Mr M.JUKES

ATTENDANCE: 155