An entertaining game ended in late drama as FC Elmstead won at Sporting Club Thamesmead in the second round of the Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup.

Penalties looked on the cards at one apiece before Connor Cheek headed home for the visitors with one minute remaining in regulation time.

Alfie Curnow fired wide after Henry Awokere sent him through as the Acre started brightly then Elmstead’s Rob Myles cut in and drew a good save out of Michael Crabbe when he tipped the shot over. Crabbe’s pass over the top put his opposite number, Tom Cleary, under pressure as he couldn’t hold it when challenged by Awokere, but the goalkeeper recovered well to smother it.

Midway through the first half, the Acre went ahead. Joseph Ikuesan pulled it back to Jamie Williams and his shot struck a defender’s arm in the area and a penalty was awarded. Andrea Carrera converted from the spot, sending Cleary the wrong way.

Kameiko Pope-Campbell shot wide from outside the penalty area for the visitors before Thamesmead finished the half strongly. Patrick Geddis headed a Curnow free kick the wrong side of the upright then Ikuesan’s determination allowed him to get a shot away from a tight angle and it was deflected the wrong side of the post. Williams delivered the corner and it fell to Riley Butler and he was also unable to hit the target.

Early in the second period, Awokere’s poked shot was pushed round the post by Cleary then Carrera beat Cleary to a long pass out wide and the Acre man tricked his way along the bye-line before cutting out and hitting a shot from the edge of the six yard box that was blocked on the line.

Again Carrera was involved when his clever flick sent George Dennis through. The half time substitute opened his body up and shot for the far post but Cleary read his intentions and saved well.

At the other end Pope-Campbell’s trickery on the edge of the penalty area caused two defenders to lose their footing before he shot wide then Dennis had another chance to double the Acre’s lead when he got behind the defence again, and his shot crashed back off the bar.

That proved pivotal as Elmstead levelled minutes later. Myles found Pope-Campbell and his excellent first touch was followed by a brilliant finish.

Neither side seemed content to settle for penalties and Harry Bradford headed past the post for Elmstead before the hosts’ Owen Jeavons curled wide after good work by Henry Phillips. Ellis Shadwell crossed to the near post and Bradford’s diving header flew the wrong side of the upright then he came even closer when his shot, from Tom Goodayle’s pass, came back out off the foot of the post.

As time looked to be running out, and a shoot-out beckoned, Myles delivered a free kick and Cheek rose highest to head home.

There was almost a sting in the tail as a stoppage time free kick from out wide by Phillips dipped over Cleary and hit the bar but Elmstead were not to be denied and it is they who progress to the third round.

SC Thamesmead: Crabbe; Cravid, Ifeanyi, Butler, Suttie (Cann 73); Curnow (Phillips 68), Geddis; Awokere, Williams (Dennis 46), Carrera (Odedoyin 68); Ikuesan (Jeavons 73). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Carrera pen (23)
Yellow cards: Carrera (45 foul), Ifeanyi (88 foul)

FC Elmstead: Cleary; Ainsworth (Shadwell 56), Sherwin, Welsh (Cheek 74), Gibson, Myles; Croucher; J. Green (Neale 54), Pope-Campbell; Driscoll (Goodayle 62), Tiernan (Bradford 56). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Pope-Campbell (63), Cheek (89)
Yellow card: Ainsworth (35 foul), Myers (78 foul)

Referee: Michael Jones
Assistant Referees: Liam Broom and Ronald Albert

Attendance: 68