Defending Kent County League Invitation Charity Cup holders Sporting Club Thamesmead were worthy victors over Bridon Ropes at the Masher Brothers Community Stadium.

Two goals in the opening fifteen minutes put them in control and a third strike in the second half meant that they were able to see out the final twenty minutes in relative comfort.

Unusually, ‘roll on, roll off’ substitutes are allowed in this tournament and the Acres Abdulai Turay, and Tom Brown of the visitors were replaced and then came back later in the match. However, plenty had happened before then.

Daniel Palfrey’s powerful header from a Jamie Williams corner had already flashed past the far post before the Acre went ahead. Henry Phillips threaded it through the back line and Wale Odedoyin beat the offside trap, went round goalkeeper Albert Penney, and rolled it into the empty net from a couple of yards out.

Odedoyin had another opportunity soon after when a defensive mix up gave him space down the right hand side allowing him a shot at goal that went just past the far post.

Turay shot wide from thirty-five yards before the Acre went two up in the fifteenth minute. Odedoyin flicked on a long pass forward and it fell to Henry Awokere who gave Penney no chance with a clinical finish.

At the other end Ivan Coromah got on the end of a Leo Onye corner and his firm header was cleared off the line by Lewis Cann who then charged out to block Tom Brown’s follow-up shot.

Palfrey headed another Williams corner back into the penalty area and Odedoyin’s falling shot drew a low save out of Penney. The Ropes’ goalkeeper was again called into action when pushing Turay’s twenty-five yard free kick over the crossbar.

Cann sent Odedoyin away but Penney was out quickly to clear before the visitors had another opportunity when Tom Brown got on the end of a pass by Anthony Skordilis and cut in and shot but Oliver Hearn read the danger and made an excellent block.

Just before half time Palfrey thought that he had made it three with a firm header from Williams’ free kick only to have his joy cut short when flagged for offside.

Shortly after the restart Awokere clipped the outside of the post with an effort from the edge of the penalty area then Turay had a shot blocked bravely by Charlie Norcott.

Tom Jones had another chance for the Ropes when he broke through but with just Hearn to beat, he blasted his shot high over the bar and into the car park behind the goal.

Asad Mohamed fired the wrong side of the far upright from twenty yards for the hosts, and Williams had a shot blocked before the Acre added a third. Another set piece caused disarray in the visitors defence and substitute Chris-Emmanuel Loko nipped in to control it with his first touch and prod it home with his second.

Olusegun Akinwunmi shot wide of Hearn’s near post after creating space for himself before Palfrey’s free kick from out wide skimmed the top of the net.

As the seconds ticked down, Hearn spared Palfrey’s blushes when the centre back sliced a cross by Onye towards his own goal by making an excellent diving save which also preserved his clean sheet.

Victory for the Acre means that they will visit Lordswood or Metrogas in the quarter finals.

SC Thamesmead: Hearn; Cann, Hooper (Loko 53), Palfrey, Kpodo; Phillips; Turay (Hatega 70), Williams (Jeavons 64), Mohamed (Turay 90), Awokere (Hatega 57); Odedoyin (Dennis 64).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Odedoyin (6), Awokere (15), Emanuel-Loko (69)

Yellow cards: None

Bridon Ropes: Penney; Coromah, Norcott (Russell-Vick 63), Boateng, A. Brown (Amujo 70); Alleyne; Onye, Skord1lis (Akinwunmi 46), Mensah Sowah (T. Brown 77), Anderson (Fisher 46); T. Brown (Thuillier 63).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow card: Mensah Sowah (41 foul) 

Referee: Morgan Davis

Assistant Referees: Steven Tindle and Michael Dye

Attendance: 50