There threatened to be an upset in the Kent Senior Trophy quarter final match hosted by step five Stansfeld against step six Staplehurst Monarchs.

When the visitors went two up, it certainly looked like a shock was on. However, manager Billy Shinners made a triple substitution that changed the course of the game entirely. 

Dario Sesay-De Luca, making his return to Stansfeld after three months at Poole Town, came close to making an immediate impact with a free kick that came back out off the bar, however it was the visitors who drew first blood in the seventh minute. Callum Gallie’s clever pass sent Dan Ashton through and he stroked it inside the far post.

Oliver Andrews, Stansfield’s captain, tried a shot from thirty yards that Steven Lawrence saved comfortably before the Monarchs’ defence allowed the ball to bounce and Chris Alhassan took advantage by heading it through to Sesay-De Luca. His first time poke beat Lawrence but also the foul post.

Jack Bray headed Connor Watson’s free kick over for Staplehurst before Gallie headed Ashton’s cross into the arms of Ted McDonald. Kameron Mendez then hit a free kick over for Stansfeld before the Monarchs doubled their lead. Luke Adams had a shot blocked and it fell to Gallie who tucked it away.

Shinners reacted with a triple change and it paid dividends when Stansfeld pulled a goal back almost immediately. Sesay-De Luca broke down the left and eased in before slotting it home confidently.

Rob Hughes came close to equalising just before the break but Lawrence came out quickly to make a good block.

Three minutes after the interval, Stansfeld did level. Jack Calvert, one of the three first half substitutes, made his mark when turning his marker inside out before giving Lawrence no chance with a great finish.

Now with the slope and momentum in their favour, Stansfeld started to apply pressure and Lawrence came out to make a great tackle after Calvert got in behind the Monarchs’ back four.

It only seemed a matter of time before the hosts went ahead and just five second half minutes had passed when they did just that. Sesay-De Luca took aim from twenty-five yards and it flew into the bottom corner.

Five minutes later, Stansfield scored again. This time Sesay-De Luca was the creator with a pass to Alhassan. He cut in and hit a terrific shot that gave Lawrence no chance.

Calvert had a shot saved then Billy Marsh shot wide. However, it was not all one way traffic and Staplehurst came close to getting back into the game when Adams set up Ashton and his shot rattled the crossbar. Jack Hyslop then slung in a free kick that Gallie headed over.

Eleven minutes remained when Stansfeld guaranteed their place in the semi-finals. Alhassan was sent clear and he produced another great finish with a fierce drive. The Staplehurst defence were convinced that the goal should have been disallowed however, although one of Alhassan’s team mates was offside when the pass was made, the Stansfeld number nine was not, and the assistant referee appeared to be correct in keeping his flag down.

Jack Mahon might have made it six when heading wide from Alhassan’s cross but it was not costly as Stansfeld join Bearstead, Larkfield and New Hythe, and either Faversham Town or Whitstable Town in the semi-finals.

Stansfeld: McDonald, McCormack, Green, Andrews (Marsh 40), Barrie, Panyi, Sesay-De Luca, Hughes (Mahon 81), Alhassan (Williams 88), Mendez (Calvert 40), English (Asiedu 40).

Subs not used: None.

Goal scorers: Sesay-De Luca (43), (50), Calvert (48), Alhassan (55), (79).

Yellow cards: None 

Staplehurst Monarchs: Lawrence, Sargeant, Wheeler (Cheek 78), Watson, Bray, Hooper (West 66), Beech (Mingle 66), Hyslop, Adams, Ashton, Gallie.

Sub not used: Delayney. 

Goalscorers: Ashton (7), Gallie (36)

Yellow cards: West (81 foul), Bray (88 foul)

Referee: Stephen Ryan

Assistant Referees: Samuel Girt and Gareth John

Attendance: 101