Although Division One Halls Athletic took an early two goal lead, Premier Division Snodland Town turned it around to win an eventful Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup Second Round tie.

As well as five goals, there were plenty of cards shown with Halls ending the game having had two players dismissed.

Referee Jamie Gray started his spree in the first minute when getting his yellow card out of his pocket to caution the visitors’ Jaydon Bolarinwa for a foul. Sam Bayford struck the resulting free kick cleanly and Oscar Ling did well to turn it over.

Although nothing came of the corner, Halls only had three more minutes to wait before going ahead. Bayford sent Abdulahmed Oladimeji away and he tucked it in off the far post.

After Kian Scott had headed wide from Jimmy Shepherd’s cross, the home team went straight up to the other end to double their lead. Gergo Petrovics played it outside to Ben Martin and his fierce strike gave Ling no chance.

Todd Brand fired well over for Snodland then their player manager Connor Dymond shot wide of the near post. Bayford was again denied by Ling after the midfielder had surged forward before the visitors pulled one back midway through the first half. The Halls defence allowed it to bounce and Will Sims crashed it home from inside the area.

Oladimeji was then picked out by Troy Copeland but it was slightly behind him and he failed to muster the power to bother Ling before a long range shot by Chris Alhassan was pushed out to safety by Halls goalkeeper Harvey Olenga. He was again in action when saving a long range attempt by Shepherd then, at the other end, Martin’s effort was turned over by Ling.

Deep into first half stoppage time, the visitors levelled. Brand’s shot was beaten out by Olenga and Shepherd was on hand to head the rebound into the net.

Early in the second period, Snodland’s Fynley Rutherford crossed to Sims who headed over before Abimbola Ogunyemi’s shot at the other end flew out of the ground. Scott then had an effort tipped over.

Just shy of the hour mark, the visitors went ahead. Although an assistant referee’s flag was raised, causing a distraction, Rutherford was in a good position and drilled it into the bottom corner. So incensed was Bayford that a comment that he made earned him a trip to the sin bin and before he had left the pitch, he was shown a second yellow and a red card.

Being a goal behind, and a man short, Halls were up against it and Shepherd had a shot well saved by Olenga before manager George Michaelas made a change, bringing on defender Leo Mabb for striker Copeland.

Another Rutherford shot was well off target but it wasn’t all one way and Ling made a fingertip save to deny Olademeji. A shot by Sims whistled wide and Olenga saved well from Scott, Alhassan and Rutherford.

In the latter stages, Halls had one last chance when Leo Mabb’s free kick was beaten out by Ling but nobody was following up to put away the rebound.

There were just seconds left on the clock when a massive fracas broke out. Halls substitute Korran Charles-Reid was cautioned for a foul and for dissent simultaneously and was shown a yellow, a second yellow, and a red card all in one go. He was reluctant to leave the field and some of the Snodland players tried to ‘assist’ him.

Mayhem ensued as coaches and players who had been substituted got involved and the referee decided to end the game. He then brandished his red card at least twice more to members of the Halls management team.

Eventually, the two teams left the field with Snodland progressing to the third round. 

Halls AFC: Olenga; Bari (Charles-Reid 80), Powell, Asiedu; Martin (Tavares 80), Petrovics, Bayford, Gayle; Ogunyemi (Baker 72), Olademeji (Amadi 80); Copeland (Mabb 62).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorer: Olademeji (4), Martin (8)

Yellow card: Olademeji (28 delay of restart), Charles-Reid (90+4 foul)

Sin bin: Bayford (59)

Red card: Bayford (59 second yellow dissent), Charles-Reid (90+4 dissent)

Snodland Town: Ling; Brand, Bolarwina (Fitchett 15), Fenn, Cousins (Jackson 62); Dymond, Rutherford (Ottley 84); Shepherd, Simms (Benning 70), Scott; Alhassan.

Sub not used: Johnson.

Goalscorers: Sims (24), Shepherd (45+4), Rutherford (58)

Yellow cards: Bolarwina (1 foul), Dymond (54 foul)

Referee: Jamie Gray

Assistants: Alexis Stacchini and Adam Back

Attendance: TBC