The visitors continued to have more possession without creating too many chances; until that is they took the lead ten minutes from half time. A free kick was played in from the right and James jumped higher than Budd and flicked his header into the net, leaving the Thamesmead keeper floundering. Budd was to have no chance with James’ second three minutes later as the defender picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and fired an unstoppable drive into the net.
A double change at half time certainly got the home team going with Ollie Bankole and Hibbert entering the fray, and within minutes the home side were centimetres away from getting on the score sheet when Javlon Campbell just couldn’t stretch far enough to force home a drive cross.
The home side started probing to desperately try and find a way bay into the game and would have done just past the hour mark had it not been for a stunning save from keeper Steve Searle. Jack Hopkins (pushed into midfield from full back in the half time reshuffle) and debut making Chris Saunders combined well in midfield – Saunders chip into the box was exquisite as was the finish of Campbell as he looked to have dipped the ball over the keeper. But Searle had other ideas and made a stunning finger tipped save.
The next time the pair clashed – this time literally – saw the keeper charge to the edge of his box and flattened Campbell as the striker knocked the ball past him. Referee Kelly took a long look at the incident before waving away the penalty claims much to the disbelief of the home bench.
The goal that the home side deserved duly arrived on 76 minutes – and what a goal it was! Thamesmead were awarded a free kick 30 yards out and Saunders seemed to have over hit the tapped free kick. Hibbert though has other ideas and thundered a shot through the crowd and into the top corner leaving Searle motionless.
The home side had the momentum and looked like they may get back into the game but those chances were greatly reduced when Saunders was shown a second yellow card and sent off for a very soft foul indeed!
The closing ten minutes provided the best entertainment of the match with Ricardo Joseph bringing the best out of Budd with a great header whilst only sub Manny Osei will know how he cleared the bar from five yards from Howard Newton’s cross.
There was even drama right at the death when the Police defence didn’t clear a corner and Hibbert’s low drive was destined for the corner until Steve Sutherland, who had been magnificent throughout the game at the heart of the Police defence, cleared the ball off the line with a fine clearance.
Thamesmead then bow out of another Cup competition leaving manager McMahon more questions than answers as his side now look to concentrate on their battle to say in the Ryman Premier.
THAMESMEAD – Budd, Hopkins, Roberts, Butler (Bankole HT), Tozer, Donovan, Beckford (Hibbert HT), Saunders, Gordon-Young (Fairweather-Johnson), Campbell, Phillips
Assistants – Mr J Garwood & Mr M Barnes